Taking the Next Step

March 24th, 2008 | Posted by admin

Dear Friends,

 

Taking the Next Step

With the passage of both comprehensive ethics reform and tax cuts to stimulate our economy and help Louisiana families, we have already taken two great steps to a new Louisiana. Now, as the Legislature prepares to enter their regular session next week, I will work to ensure the passage of initiatives that aid our state’s workforce development.

 

I spent time travelling around the state last week, and I am pleased with the support that our initiatives have garnered throughout Louisiana. However, I still heard from many small business owners and others throughout the state that we must revamp our workforce development and give our workers better opportunities to succeed here in Louisiana.

 

Giving businesses the economic opportunities to succeed can only help so much – without a properly trained and prepared workforce we cannot reach our economic potential. As other states continue to improve their development programs, we must ensure that our workers are trained and ready to work their first day on the job.

 

And good available jobs exist in our state. While our state’s unemployment rate is hovering at its lowest point in the past 30 years, there are nearly 100,000 job opportunities across the state. These are good paying jobs that require trained workers.

 

We must meet potential workforce participants “where they are”, and specifically design programs that give them the fundamental needs to fill these jobs in the workforce.

 

Earlier this month, I presented my administration’s 2008-09 state budget to the Legislature. I have targeted specific programs within the budget that will greatly improve training initiatives for our state’s workers, and show potential employers that our state will make certain that we have a properly trained workforce in place.

 

We want to fund a “fast start” program to be used by postsecondary institutions, and primarily community and technical colleges, to provide free, customized, turnkey workforce training solutions for qualifying business expansion and recruitment projects.

 

It is also important to recognize that not all students will go on to college, and these students still must be prepared to enter the workforce as well. By increasing dual enrollment programs, we will be able to provide skill-based training to these students to keep them in school and meet the rising demand for a technically competent labor force.

 

Finally, we must fund the Louisiana Quick Start Initiative. This program will tailor training for workers to individual companies’ specific needs. We must provide a “day-one guarantee” to businesses that Louisiana’s workers are prepared. By providing more and better training, we are not only helping businesses, but giving our children more opportunities to realize their dreams right here in Louisiana.

 

I have included some links regarding the close of the first two special sessions and the upcoming regular session below.

 

“First and second steps taken, third on the way,” Southwest Daily News

“Lafayette road money touted,” Lafayette Daily Advertiser

“Surplus spending mostly hits the mark,” Shreveport Times

“Jindal trumpets tax cuts, heralds workforce development,” Houma Courier

 

Fighting Against Heart Disease

As the parents of a son born with a congenital heart defect, Supriya and I both understand the importance of improving both prevention and treatment of heart disease, stroke, and other cardiovascular diseases. Cardiovascular diseases are the number one killers in our state, and congenital heart disease is the number one cause of death in children under the age of one.

 

Supriya was pleased to work with the Louisiana Pediatric Cardiology Foundation (LPCF) to make a Public Service Announcement regarding the fight against congenital heart disease. We invite you to view the announcement and to learn more about the LPCF you may visit www.LPCF.com.

 
First Lady Supriya Jindal greets kids participating in the Mansion Foundation’s Annual Easter Egg Hunt.

Happy Easter!

I hope you and your family had a blessed Easter celebration this past Sunday! I hope you enjoyed the time in worship, and with family.

 

Supriya and I were very excited to welcome more than 700 local children from Baton Rouge-area Head Start programs to the Governor’s Mansion for the 11th annual Mansion Easter Egg Hunt. The kids found more than 1,400 hidden eggs on the grounds, and we all had a fantastic time. We are looking forward to next year already!

 

Video of the hunt is contained in the link below.

“Easter Celebrated Early around Baton Rouge Area”, WAFB

 

Sincerely,

  Bobby Jindal

Governor Bobby Jindal

del.icio.us:Taking the Next Step digg:Taking the Next Step technorati:Taking the Next Step Email This Post Print This Post Tags website