Posted on 06/24/2008 12:09:42 PM PDT by abb
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, in Shreveport for a ceremonial signing of a tax cut bill passed by the Legislature, was met today by protesters upset over state lawmakers doubling their pay and the governor's decision not to veto it.
Residents around the state want the governor to veto the pay raise bill. Jindal said he thinks the raise is a bad idea but he won't veto it, saying the Legislature should deal with the consequences of its actions.
Jindal went to Chamber of Commerce Plaza in downtown Shreveport at noon today for a ceremonial signing of a bill sponsored by Sen. B.L. Shaw of Shreveport that does away with the tax increases that arose out of the so-called Stelly Plan, which changed income tax brackets in return for doing away with the state sales tax on groceries.
"The easiest thing for me would be veto it," Jindal said to cheers. "I would be the most popular governor in the state's history."
He was heckled by one man when he added, "I don't want to give legislators or anybody else an excuse to slow down the reforms that ar so important for our state."
"You promised to veto!" the heckler said.
The protesters were outside with signs when the governor arrived. They were allowed inside the Chamber of Commerce building for the governor's appearance.
watch
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T7w8AtPsiYc
Mark will veto and veto and watch as each veto is overridden (by his own party!) and he will keep on fighting because he’s the real deal.
Here’s a great story when he was in congress:
Mr. Sanford has been rankling fellow Republicans long before arriving in Columbia. As a congressman from 1995-2001, Republican leadership knew that he was beyond their control. In 1999, he and then-Rep. Tom Coburn, Oklahoma Republican, used parliamentary procedures to save taxpayers a fortune. The farm spending bill came to the floor with an “open rule” — meaning any germane amendments could be offered. Messrs. Sanford and Coburn together drafted 121 fat-trimming amendments, and after trudging through just a few dozen of them, House leadership pulled the entire bill. It was only reintroduced after $1 billion had been carved out.
http://www.houmatoday.com/article/20080624/OPINION/806240309/1032/SPORTS&title=Jindal_s_reform_policy_is_going_backwards
Jindal’s reform policy is going backwards
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Louisiana_Legislature_Gov._Jindal__Pride_and_Punishment__6649.asp
Louisiana Legislature, Gov. Jindal: Pride and Punishment
He didn’t make such a campaign pledge or even a promise while running for governor. It was part of his “plan”:
http://forgotston.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/06/jindalforgov.pdf
However, he also planned to reform Louisiana government and improve schools. He needed to make a compromise to save his whole agenda. No big deal.
You show me where he made a clear campain promise. He didn't.
Here's what he said.
Prohibit Legislators from giving themselves pay raises that take effect before the subsequent elections. Any increase in salary approved by the Legislature should take effect after the next election so the public can decide who deserves that compensation.
Looks close enough for government work to me.
I'm going to judge his decision (not to veto) by its other fruit as well, in the faint hope that it is a form of 'stategery'.
If Jindal's objective is to force the legislature to "deal with the consequences of its actions", and as you say, the legislature has the 2/3rds to override; Jindal should keep his promise and veto. That will force the legislature (who are know more aware of the widespread opposition) to once again ignore the will of the people.
It's a win/win for Jindal. JMO of course.
Now that’s funny!
Jeez, I can just imagine if my family had the same reaction everytime plans fell though. If I had to cancel one vacation for work reasons, it would be worse than cheating on my wife.
http://wwl.com/Jindal-heckled-by-protesters-over-payraise-bill/2474660
Jindal heckled by protesters over payraise bill
http://wwl.com/Rep—who-voted-for-raise-calls-on-Gov—to-veto-it/2474582
Rep. who voted for raise calls on Gov. to veto it
Median income in Louisiana is a bit over $35K. But most of those folks don’t get a per diem, mileage and an expense account... With 50% of Louisiana residents making less than the new base salary for the LA legislature, I would think that would qualify a bunch of folks to be legislators in LA... And I would imagine that there are some good folks who would be happy to work for $35K plus....
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Business/Louisiana_Watchdog_Group_Critical_of_Legislative_Session__6650.asp
Louisiana Watchdog Group Critical of Legislative Session
http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Louisiana_Legislature_JIndal_Not_With_Great_Grade___6648.asp
Louisiana Legislature, JIndal Not With Great Grade
Or have a real job like legislators in other states. Arkansas legislators get paid a bit over $14K per year, even though they only actually meet in session every-other year (unless a special session is called). Of course, this doesn't count their expenses and such that also get paid. Some AR legislators are quite well off, while other are semi-average "Joes" who actually work for a living.
Channel 3 had cameras inside and out,,,
He got shouted down a few times when he started with his
Lies,,,
Many,many Pissed Off folks there...
Missed the 5 pm broadcast. Will watch 6 pm.
Look at the WWL website. One of the leges has folded and wants Jindal to veto. He’s scared to death.
cave right in to outrageous pay increases for worthless politicians, great conservatism there Gov.
http://www.thetowntalk.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20080624/NEWS01/80624040
Debate over the legislative pay raise goes on
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