Bobby Jindal

Dear Friend,

Working to lower insurance costs

I hosted Florida Governor Charlie Crist last week to discuss how our states can work together to preserve our wetlands and combat the common insurance problems we both face.

Florida and Louisiana have several things in common – the threat of hurricanes, skyrocketing insurance costs and wetlands that need preserving.  We discussed the large cost involved in trying to restore Louisiana’s coast.  Louisiana cannot afford to pay the estimated $14 billion or more costs alone, so we must look to our federal government and private companies to partner with us to secure our coastland for future generations. The federal government paid for significant portions of the Chesapeake Bay and Florida Everglades restorations, and I will continue to work as Governor to ensure that Louisiana receives the same type of support.

I also spoke with Governor Crist about the need for a national catastrophic insurance plan.  As you may recall, I joined Representative Ron Klein (D-FL) in sponsoring the Homeowners’ Defense Act (H.R. 3355) that would create a reinsurance plan.  Reinsurance would help ensure individuals’ claims are paid after a large disaster, and would help lower the cost of insurance and increase availability in areas like the Gulf Coast. That bill, which passed the U.S. House of Representatives in November, is currently awaiting action in the U.S. Senate.

You can read more about my meeting with Governor Crist below:
Jindal, Florida’s Governor Teams Up

Addressing ULM Graduates

I told graduates at the University of Louisiana-Monroe on Saturday that they can accomplish their goals and that Louisiana is a great place to pursue their dreams.

Too often, we see graduates feel like they must move outside of Louisiana to be successful.  That is a trend we must change.  The best chance Louisiana has in moving to the top of the good lists is to retain these highly-skilled college graduates and have them invest in our state’s future.

Research has shown that a higher education degree translates into better health care outcomes, lower crime rates, better paying jobs and an overall improved quality of life.  By keeping graduates like the ones at ULM in Louisiana, we can begin to reverse these outcomes and turn our state around.

Read more about my graduation address at ULM below:
Jindal urges: Give State a Chance

Encouraging University/Business Partnerships

The Higher Education Transition Advisory Council met at Louisiana Tech University in Ruston last week to discuss how universities and the private sector can partner together to bolster research and promote economic development in the state.

Members toured businesses that got their start on the university campus and saw the potential when research is used by students and universities for economic development. Over the past three years, Louisiana Tech has averaged more than 30 inventions a year, filed 57 patent applications, and helped eight start-up companies get off the ground.  This example is being duplicated at other universities around the state and we must invest and give these universities the tools they need to play an even greater economic development role in the future.

Members of the Council also heard the importance of universities and community colleges working with local communities to ensure the workforce needs of businesses are met. That will be even more important as businesses decide to locate or develop in our state with projects such as the Cyber Command at Barksdale Air Force Base in Northwest Louisiana.

Increasing Retention and Recruitment

A site selection specialist and an editor of a site selection magazine both told the Business Retention and Recruitment Transition Advisory Council last week that having a good road infrastructure, a skilled workforce and an environment without burdensome business taxes were the top factors that business executives consider when looking at possible places to invest.  They also said that Louisiana must overcome the current negative perception held by others that our state is corrupt and not business friendly.

This testimony by national experts reiterates the need to pass meaningful ethics reform and send a strong message that what you know is more important than who you know when doing business. We must also invest in our infrastructure and can begin by dedicating and spending the existing transportation taxes and fees on our roads.

The Transition Advisory Councils will conclude their meetings this week and will begin the process of reviewing the information and ideas gathered from people all across Louisiana.  The final Advisory Council meetings this week are:

Today
Environment (Baton Rouge)
Coastal Restoration and Recovery (Metairie)

Wednesday
Ethics (Baton Rouge)

Sincerely,

Bobby Jindal