Bobby Jindal

Dear Friends,

Welcoming New Economic Opportunities

Last Wednesday I was joined by Baton Rouge Mayor Kip Holden, Secretary of Economic Development Stephen Moret, and Baton Rouge Area Chamber CEO Adam Knapp to announce that Albemarle, a Fortune 1000 company currently based in Richmond, Virginia, will move its headquarters to Baton Rouge. Albemarle leaders particularly cited Louisiana’s recent ethics reforms and the elimination of the tax on utilities as key deciding factors for the move.

It was also recently announced that Superior Homes of Louisiana LLC has chosen Clinton, in East Feliciana Parish, as home to a 71,000 foot plant that will bring up to 150 new jobs to the parish. These are great signs that our state is now open for business, and that we will be a major player for new economic opportunities in the years to come. We will no longer miss out on important opportunities due to a cumbersome business tax structure and concerns about our political past.

“Chemical maker moving headquarters to Baton Rouge,” Associated Press
“La,Baton Rouge lure headquarters of firm from Virginia,” Baton Rouge Advocate

“Plant chooses Clinton site,” Baton Rouge Advocate

Eliminating Wasteful Spending

Just as I said during the campaign, we have to stop the out-of-control spending of taxpayer money in Baton Rouge. In the past, our state has too often jumped into an unbridled spending spree in the wake of budget surpluses and then quickly ended up in debt…and without much to show for it. In order for us to continue to move toward a New Louisiana, we must eliminate wasteful spending that does not address our state’s priorities. This means that if a project is not openly addressed during the legislative session, it doesn’t meet an identified state priority, and it isn’t fully disclosed so everyone knows its origin and purpose, I will veto it.

Simply put, I believe we have been endowed with the public’s trust to spend their hard-earned tax dollars wisely, and Louisianians deserve nothing less. I look forward to continuing to work with lawmakers during this session to finalize a fiscally conservative budget which eliminates wasteful “pet projects” that do not address our state’s needs, and reins in unbridled government spending.

“Gov. Jindal Warns Lawmakers About Pork Barrel Projects,” KSLA-Shreveport

“Tough stand on new pork,” Baton Rouge Advocate

“Jindal rules rein in earmarks,” Monroe News Star

Showing the Nation a New Louisiana

I was also pleased to be a guest at both the National Press Club in Washington, D.C. and the Tonight Show with Jay Leno last week.

These appearances provided me a great opportunity to spread the word that this is a New Louisiana that is open for business, and that the rest of the nation should keep an eye on our state. The nation needs to know that we are making significant progress, and I will continue to spread the word that the people of Louisiana are hardworking and are rebuilding our state better than before. 

We invite outsiders to take another look, and we know they will like what they see. We welcome their investment as we grow our economy. We all know that Louisiana is the best state in the nation to raise a family, and its time the rest of the country realized it as well.

And to answer one of the biggest questions that I’ve been asked since my appearance with Jay Leno - yes, my fellow Tonight Show guest Helen Hunt is just as beautiful in person as she is on the big screen.

Video: Governor Jindal on the Tonight Show
Video: Governor Jindal Speaking before the National Press Club, C-Span

“The Governor Is Right,” National Review

“Jindal: ‘I’m exactly where I need to be,’” Washington Times

“Jindal touts Louisiana to National Media,” New Orleans Times Picayune

“Our View: Jindal challenges Louisiana image,” Baton Rouge Advocate

Sincerely,

Governor Bobby Jindal