Is there a crack in the fortress of Pay Raise Gate?
At approximately 6 p.m. on Wednesday, Bayoubuzz received this email from House Speaker Jim Tucker:
Statement from House Speaker Jim Tucker
June 25, 2008
It is an honor to serve the people of House District 86 as State Representative and Speaker of the House. Since final passage of Senate Bill 672 on June 16th, the issue of legislative compensation has overshadowed all of the substantial gains and reforms the legislature has accomplished in only six months.
I am grateful for the many calls of support and I will continue to communicate with my constituents on all issues.
I will respect whatever Governor Jindal elects to do with Senate Bill 672 and remain committed to working with him to bring about the positive changes that all citizens of Louisiana deserve.
Tucker has been the front person on the pay raise from the House side.He, obviously, is telling Governor Jindal he will respect whatever the Governor does.This, if true would be a major sea change from Jim Tucker who gave a very visible and vocal argument in favor of the pay raise almost ten days ago.
Tucker could have written that he is stridently in favor of the pay raise.He is now stating something totally different.He is deferring to the Governor.
If the Senate leadership were to do the same, Jindal obviously would be free from his "pledge" to the House and the Senate and could veto the legislation.
Whether the Tucker recall is playing a role is uncertain.According to that organizer, John Roberts, “the disapproval rating of the pay raise in Dist. 86 is in excess of 75%".If Rep. Tucker does have a change of heart, perhaps the recall poll is playing a role.
Bayoubuzz attempted to reach Rep. Tucker when it received the email but was unable to do so.
Meanwhile, the recalls continue throughout the state and a statewide rally set for July 7 from 2 to 4 at the Capitol Steps (which was initiated by this writer) is gaining tremendous momentum.The rally is designed to convince Governor Jindal to veto the pay raise legislation. The drumbeat from the people and the media has not stopped since the session came to a close. The media and the people appear to overwhelmingly want Governor Jindal to veto the legislation. Just maybe the statement from Jim Tucker is the first major sign of fissure in what has been a very fortress-like position by the major participants.
Bayoubuzz note: As I suggested a few days ago in a column, Governor Jindal could veto the legislation, allow the legislators to communicate with their constituencies and request the legislators to take their district temperatures on the payraise issue.Then, the legislators could meet in a special session lasting one or two days to vote on a pay raise that is in line with the will of the voters.It would be a win-win-win for Governor Jindal, the legislators and the voters.The entire pay raise issue was handled very poorly by all parties and made hard working legislators look greedy and the Governor look weak.I predict something is going to give and hope this recommendation should be the basis for a resolution.
Is there a crack in the fortress of Pay Raise Gate?
