During Jindal's administration, Louisiana has added over 3,100 new employees, and its budget has increased from $12 billion in 2008 to $24 billion in 2010. The governor seems to think this surge in state government will somehow conquer the budget in the long run.
The FACTS:
Governor Fiscal Year Total Budget Federal Assistance State Funds
Blanco____2006-7______$26.7B______$14.0B__________$12.6B
Blanco____2007-8______$29.8B______$15.8B__________$13.9B
Jindal_____2008-9______$29.7B______$14.9B__________$14.7B
Jindal____2009-10______$28.9B______$14.7B__________$14.1B
Jindal____2010-11______$25.4B______$11.5B__________$13.9B
These figures are easily obtained from the Louisiana Budget and Planning Dept. website.
Draw your own conclusions. To me, the article looks like a poorly researched Internet lynching of Gov. Jindal by some so-called conservatives.
And here’s more!!
http://www.nola.com/news/index.ssf/2009/02/louisianas_growing_state_payro.html
Louisiana’s growing state payroll strains budget
During Gov. Bobby Jindal’s first 11 months in office, when the total state budget decreased because of declining federal subsidies, the state’s employment rolls increased by 3,198 jobs, or 3 percent, according to Office of Civil Service reports. The new employees and pay raises boosted the state’s base payroll by $278 million, or 7 percent.
And there’s more yet!
http://blog.nola.com/graphics/2009/02/STATEJOBS021509.pdf
GOVERNMENT JOBS AND PAY
State government employment and salaries have grown substantially under Gov. Bobby Jindal, following a trend of rising personnel costs that is putting immense pressure on the public purse.
You’ll note the nearly $1 billion increase in state funds from Blanco’s last budget compared to Jindal’s first budget. It went from $13.9 billion to $14.7 billion.
That’s the money that is referenced in post #83.