Some area lawmakers agree with (Jindal) veto (JindalWatch® Alert)

The Advocate ^ | July 1, 2008 | WILL SENTELL and SARAH CHACKO

[abb]

Area lawmakers who opposed raising their pay praised Gov. Bobby Jindal’s veto of the volatile increase on Monday.

But two Democratic lawmakers interviewed said Jindal broke his word and others said the veto may jeopardize his proposals in the Louisiana Legislature.

“When someone gives you his word and takes it back, you lose a lot of respect,” said state Rep. Damon Baldone, D-Houma and a supporter of the increase.

The legislation, Senate Bill 672, would have raised the pay package of rank-and-file lawmakers from about $38,000 per year to nearly $60,000. It was set to take effect today.

But Jindal on Monday reversed days of saying he would not veto the bill and did just that. He told reporters that the legislative pay raise “is inconsistent with a new Louisiana.”

Legislators dismissed any thought of trying to override the veto, which requires two-thirds majorities in both chambers.

“He did the right thing,” said state Sen. Jody Amedee, D-Gonzales and an opponent of the increase. “The people spoke and he listened.”

State Rep. Clif Richardson, R-Central, said while Jindal’s action may leave a political “scar or two,” he was pleasantly surprised by the veto.

“Either way that he went was very difficult,” said Richardson, who voted against the pay raise.

Jindal repeatedly said in recent days that, while he considered the pay raise excessive, he would not veto it. However, during his bid for governor last year the Republican said he would oppose legislative pay raises that take effect before their next term.

“It was always going to come down to which commitment he would honor,” said state Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge and an opponent of the increase.

Cassidy and others said Jindal clearly heard the torrent of public criticism aimed at both lawmakers and the governor.

“The people have spoken and he was a wise man to listen to the people,” said state Rep. J. Rogers Pope, R-Denham Springs and an opponent of the increase.

Veteran state Sen. Butch Gautreaux, D-Morgan City and a backer of the increase, issued a prepared statement that said he was disappointed Jindal failed to keep his word to lawmakers.

Fourteen area lawmakers who backed the pay raise did not return telephone calls for comment on Monday.

State Rep. Joel Robideaux, No Party-Lafayette and an opponent of the pay raise, said it is too early to tell whether Jindal’s veto will hurt him in the Legislature.

“It’ll certainly test his political ability and his leadership skills, but he’s got three years to figure out how to make it work,” Robideaux said.

State Sen. Ben Nevers, D-Bogalusa, voted for the pay raise but also said he does not see Jindal’s veto hurting the governor in future sessions.

“I don’t think you are going to see any type of retaliation for this,” Nevers said.

State Rep. Jonathan Perry, R-Kaplan and a pay raise opponent, echoed the view of several lawmakers when he said he was relieved the issue is settled.

“I would hate to believe that anybody’s going to hold it against the governor when there’s a possibility that their constituents could end up suffering from it,” Perry said.

Asked about an override, state Rep. Mert Smiley Jr., R-St. Amant, noted that the legislative pay raise won approval by razor-thin margins. .submission

[Democrat_media]

I agree with you TexasCajun and traderrob6. These people like abb et al and others in Louisiana filed recalls only of REPUBLICANS (no Democrats) including the Republican conservative governor of Louisiana. Recalling all of these republicans would have put Democrats in total control of Louisiana and killed the rising star of Bobby Jindal. So I suspect Democrats are behind all the media(of course) frenzy and the recall efforts of Jindal.

[TornadoAlley3]

Recall her

[CharlesWayneCT]

In a way, he still left it up to them. If enough of the legislature really wants a raise, they can override the veto.

[1COUNTER-MORTER-68]

Hi,ya’ll,,,

I hope ya’ll are listenin’ to Moon’s show(KEEL),,,

From what I heard,,,the poll taken showed that 95% of the

folks in Louisiana are informed on this issue of the

pay-raise and recall,,,

Southern Opinion Research(IIRC),,,also,,,

The leges got a 67% disaproval rating as I heard,,,

A Great Day For Louisiana...

GOD Bless Bobby...;0)

[sinanju]

Congratulations to Bobby J. He just passed his first test.

He heard the outrage, stiffened his spine and did the right thing.

As the article said, a few dem legislators threatened retaliation, but that appears to be pissing in the wind.

Not only would it make them the best-paid state legislators in the South, but it would have been AUTOMATICALLY increased from then on.

Why is it the hardest thing in the world for a politician to admit a mistake and correct it?

[sinanju]

The article made plain that the two-thirds necessary to override a veto made it highly unlikely.

[abb]

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Government/Louisiana_Village_Idiot_and_Sleeping_Giants__6698.asp
Louisiana Village Idiot and Sleeping Giants

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Bobby_Jindal_and_Louisiana_sTea_Party__6697.asp
Bobby Jindal and Louisiana ‘sTea Party

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Jindal_Legislature_Louisiana_Government_Must_Change__6694.asp
Jindal, Legislature, Louisiana Government Must Change

http://www.businessreport.com/news/2008/jul/01/facing-pay-raise-dilemma/?columnists
Facing the pay raise dilemma

http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/07/bobby-jindal-a.html
Bobby Jindal, a possible recall and political reality

http://www.cnsnews.com/news/viewstory.asp?Page=/Politics/archive/200807/POL20080701c.html
Conservative Governor Admits Mistake on Pay Raise Bill

[abb]

http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Louisiana_Poll_Jindal_Plummets_US_Senate_Race_Close__6695.asp
Louisiana Poll: Jindal Plummets, US Senate Race Close

http://www.legewatch.com/2008/07/we-did-it-where-do-we-go-from-here/
We did it! Where do we go from here?

http://centrallapolitics.blogspot.com/
FORGOTSTON FORMS A NEW CHARITY: “FEED THE LAWMAKERS”

http://www.thereductbox.com/
Did VP hopes go the way of the pay raise?

http://www.wafb.com/Global/story.asp?S=8585631
Senator says Jindal had “no problem” with legislative pay raises

http://www.thenew995fm.com/cc-common/news/sections/newsarticle.html?feed=135361&article=3896244
Katz: Jindal Had To Veto Pay Raise

http://www.tri-parishtimes.com/articles/2008/07/01/breaking_news/183_50_reliefpg1.txt
Relief, anger linger in wake of veto

[abb]

http://biggs-bullets.blogspot.com/
Kostelka, ‘I went to [Baton Rouge} to serve not to go broke

http://www.conservativecajun.blogspot.com/
Governor Jindal Mans-Up

[abb]

http://jeffsadow.blogspot.com/
On line items, Jindal shows consistency and resolve