Bobby Jindal
Blog
Welcoming International Leaders to Louisiana
April 23rd, 2008 | Posted by admin|
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| Governor Jindal and the First Lady of Louisiana greet President Bush as he arrives in New Orleans. |
Dear Friends,
Welcoming International Leaders to Louisiana
I was honored this week to welcome President Bush, Mexican President Felipe Calderón, and Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper to New Orleans for the opening of the Mexican Consulate and the North American Leader’s Summit. New Orleans has long been an international city, and it speaks loudly towards the direction the city is taking that it was chosen to host this important summit.
With the widening of the Panama Canal expected to be complete by 2014, larger cargo ships will be able to enter the Gulf. With Louisiana being home to five of the nation’s largest ports, we must take advantage of this opportunity. With our recent investment in our ports, Louisiana will be poised to play an even greater role in the global economy.
The Summit put Louisiana again on the world stage to show the progress that we have made after Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the help that is still needed to help us fully recover. It was great to hear the support of Presidents Bush and Calderón and Prime Minister Harper for New Orleans and the rest of our state.
Visiting With Fellow Governors
Last week I met with governors from around the country and I heard many encouraging words regarding our ethics and tax reform packages from them. That same excitement was seen in a recent LSU study that showed 51 percent of Louisianians were optimistic about the future of our state - an 18 percent increase from just a year ago.
The theme of the governors’ forum was energy, an issue that is obviously very important to us here in Louisiana. We have long been a key link in the nation’s energy chain, given our offshore production in the Gulf of Mexico. Louisiana will remain a significant player in our nation’s energy policy for years to come, and it was great to discuss our nation’s energy needs and plans with my fellow Governors.
“Survey: Education, not hurricanes, now top concern,” Associated Press
Tapping Louisiana’s Workforce Potential
I was pleased to visit Lake Charles, Alexandria and Shreveport during the past week, and it was great to hear such widespread support for our workforce development goals. Also, this past week, the Baton Rouge Area Chamber endorsed our workforce legislation, saying that the plan will create an integrated workforce delivery structure that is more effective at meeting the needs of the business community. Our state has a vast potential that has been untapped for decades, and we can no longer wait to improve the way our state trains its workforce.
We must improve training for our students, starting not just in college or technical school, but in high schools and middle schools. We must improve our state’s ability to respond to inquires for economic expansion, as we have missed out on too many opportunities in the past. And finally, we must update the goals and mission of the Department of Labor to fit a 21st century workforce, not those of 20 or 50 years ago.
“Chamber Backs Workforce Package,” Baton Rouge Advocate
“Legislation Trying to Connect Jobs and Workers,” Shreveport Times
“Editorial: Workforce Plan Off to a Good Start,” Shreveport Times
Geaux Hornets!
Following the resurgence of the Saints and LSU’s National Championship, Hornets fever is now sweeping across the state. Following the Hornet’s victories over the Dallas Mavericks in games one and two of their playoff series, it is shaping up to be a very exciting playoff run for the team.
I hope you will all join me in cheering the Hornets in game three Friday night and throughout the rest of the playoffs.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Keeping the Budget on Track
April 15th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
Keeping the Budget on Track
One of the key components to moving our state forward is getting the budget process under control. For too long reckless, runaway spending has hindered the state’s ability to respond to the needs of the people. That has got to end. Our hard earned money is not an open checkbook for government to spend at will. That is why I announced last week that we must instead focus our investments on only those projects that are in line with our state’s priorities; indeed, I presented the Legislature with a capital outlay bill with no new projects to allow the state to reduce the backlog of unfunded projects from previous years.
We cannot continue the practices of the past and commit to projects that the state cannot afford for years to come. The need to reform how the state spends our hard earned money is very clear, and I will continue working with the Legislature to make certain that the state is not committing money we do not have.
Additionally, the hiring freeze implemented in January for state jobs has already saved the state millions of dollars, while still recognizing the needs of agencies statewide. I am very pleased with the results thus far, and have included a few links below regarding both the success of the hiring freeze and my plans for the capital outlay budget.
“Hiring freeze allows study, evaluation,” Lafayette Daily Advertiser
“Jindal proposes more limited construction budget for next year,” New Orleans Times-Picayune
Opening the Spillway
Friday was an historic day in South Louisiana, as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opened gates throughout the Bonnet Carré Spillway structure in order to divert rising water from the Mississippi River.
It was great to be joined by other Louisianians who came to Norco to watch the structure’s opening. This was only the ninth time since 1937 that the Spillway has been used, and pending the status of the river it will stay open for two to four weeks. I want to encourage all of those residing in areas around the river and in low-lying areas to remain vigilant, as conditions can change at any time.
Also along these lines, last week I sent a letter to U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Ed Schafer requesting aid for those farmers in the Morganza Spillway whose crops have been affected by the rising waters. You can read the letter here.
“Bonnet Carré opened,” Baton Rouge Advocate
Punishing Those Who Harm Our Children
As the father of three young children, I understand how vitally important it is that we keep them safe from violent criminals and sexual predators. I am pleased that the Senate last week passed 3 important bills that will strengthen our state’s laws against sex offenders, ensuring that those who seek to harm our children will pay a deep price.
By passing this legislation, we will send a message loud and clear – if you harm a child, you will suffer the consequences not just for 15 years as current law provides, but forever. The victims of these terrible crimes must live with the memories for the rest of their life, and perpetrators should not face a lesser sentence.
“Senate supports 3 bills targeting sex offenses,” Baton Rouge Advocate
I was also pleased that last week the Senate Labor Committee passed a bill critical to the revamping of our state’s workforce. Senate Bill 612 will help better coordinate our state’s workforce efforts and help workers obtain the 21st century skills needed to compete for today’s jobs and fill the 100,000 jobs currently available in our state.
“Senate committee approves Jindal’s hallmark work force bill,” New Orleans Times-Picayune
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Protecting Flood Prone Areas
April 7th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
Protecting Flood Prone Areas
As the Mississippi River continues to rise throughout Louisiana, we are taking all of the necessary precautions and steps in order to ensure the safety of Louisiana families. I have been in close contact with the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness (GOHSEP), the Louisiana National Guard and State Police, and departments and agencies throughout the state, and our federal partners like the Corps of Engineers and the Coast Guard.
I have visited the levees in the Lake Providence and the Morganza areas, and was pleased at the actions taken by local and state authorities there in preparing for rising waters. Already throughout the state, more than 169,000 sandbags have been delivered to the nine parishes that have declared emergencies, and we are continuing to work day and night in order to ensure that the residents of these areas are safe.
I urge those of you in the nine parishes who have already declared an emergency - St. Martin, Pointe Coupee, Concordia, Vernon, Tensas, Sabine, Madison, East Carroll and Catahoula – to stay alert, and keep abreast of the ever changing conditions. Preparedness is the critical first step to staying safe.
Every possible resource will be made available to those in need in the affected areas, and I have directed GOHSEP Director Mark Cooper to continue to give updates on this situation on a daily basis to keep the public informed. I encourage you to visit GOHSEP’s website - http://www.ohsep.louisiana.gov/ - for updated information throughout the week. I have also included some news articles regarding the situation.
“Officials monitoring river levels; don’t expect it to overflow its banks,” New Orleans Times Picayune
“Levee Surveillance Increased,” Baton Rouge Advocate
“High crests close levees across state,” Monroe News-Star
“Flooding Still a Threat,” Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Honoring Our WWII Veterans
I was honored to be a guest at the groundbreaking of the National World War II Museum Expansion in New Orleans on Monday. I was joined by leaders and public officials from across our nation as we work to make certain that the memories and history of World War II are never forgotten.
Louisiana is proud to be home to a national museum that honors the Greatest Generation. Louisiana was a major player in World War II - one of the main reasons that this museum was placed in New Orleans. We had more than 280,000 of our brave citizens who served - the 4th largest representation of service men and women in the country per capita.
New Orleans serves our nation as the only destination where the public can gain a comprehensive view of not only D-Day, but with this expansion, all of the theaters of World War II. It has become a place where students can learn specific historical facts, families can mourn the loss of loved ones, and the men and women who served can share their stories with others.
This museum is not only important for our city and our state, but for all of America, and for the Greatest Generation of Americans. We must continue to honor those who selflessly defend our country so that you and I might enjoy our daily freedoms, and we continue to honor our armed forces as they follow in the footsteps of the Greatest Generation in defending our freedom. It is imperative that we do not forget the sacrifices that our veterans, servicemen and women, and their families have made in order to defend the freedoms that we hold so dear.
Continuing a Tradition
I was also pleased to attend the 44th Annual Governor’s Prayer Breakfast last week. One of the most amazing things I get to hear from people on a daily basis is that we are praying for you as Governor. Prayer is something that unites us all, be you a Republican, Democrat, Independent, and it was a wonderful experience to be joined by so many at the Prayer Breakfast.
Also attending the breakfast were recipients of the Truman and Goldwater Scholarships who attend LSU. Only 65 Truman Scholarships are awarded nationwide, and only 300 Goldwater Scholarships as well. These students are a great example of how Louisiana can be number one. Our young people can achieve their dreams right here in Louisiana, be it achieving a prestigious scholarship, finding the job of their dreams, or attending a top-notch academic institution. I have included some links below so you can read about these outstanding Louisiana students.
“LSU Junior Claire Kendig Receives Prestigious Truman Scholarship”
“A First: Four Awarded Goldwater Scholarships at LSU”
Fighting for a Better Louisiana
We have now completed the first week of the Legislature’s Regular Session, and we are continuing our work to ensure that our state has a world-class, highly trained and educated workforce.
My administration is working to partner our high schools with technical schools and community colleges so that our students have access to training classes earlier. We must offer businesses a guarantee that our workers will be ready to go on day one, or we will retrain them for free. We must work closer with industry itself in order to ensure that our training and educational systems are providing the preparation they require for their employees.
I am looking forward to working with the Legislature to create a properly trained, incredibly agile and focused workforce in our state. We have jobs – we have workers – we must make them sync up for the good of our economy and the good of our people.
“A Transition to New Jobs,” Baton Rouge Advocate
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Building a Better Workforce
April 1st, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
Building a Better Workforce
In three short months we have made a great start toward a New Louisiana. We have dramatically transformed the reputation of our state by passing some of the strongest ethics reforms in the country. We came back with another special session and reduced and eliminated taxes that have been in place for far too long and have deterred investment in our state.
We have sent a clear signal to the nation that Louisiana is not only open for business, but we are serious about long-ranging, far-reaching reform. We cannot rest though until we have created a New Louisiana where every young person has an opportunity to get a high-paying job, start a great career, get a quality education, access the best health care, and raise a family in a safe community.
After our recent successes in ethics reform and tax reform, we must take the next step toward a New Louisiana in the regular legislative session that began yesterday with an overhaul of our workforce development system. Just as we did with ethics reform, we must set our bar high. We cannot be satisfied until our workforce is the most skilled and desired in the world.
Today, there are nearly 100,000 job opportunities across our state, many in the growing industries of transportation, healthcare, manufacturing, and construction.
However, Louisiana employers are struggling to fill these positions. While our state’s unemployment rate is at its lowest point in 30 years, tens of thousands of Louisianians continue to leave the state every year to pursue their dreams elsewhere.
To help alleviate this problem, we must partner with the business community, high schools, technical schools, and local communities to be as effective as possible in training our workers. While we should encourage all of our students wanting to attend a university, we must understand that not all students will choose to attend one. Strengthening our technical and community colleges will help ensure that those students not attending university will still have excellent opportunities to obtain further job training.
We must also guarantee to Louisiana employers that if you hire someone with a degree or certificate from one of our technical colleges, they will be ready to work for you on Day One. Additionally, we need to change our higher education funding formula to reward high-demand, high-cost programs. It makes no sense for technical colleges to make money training nail technicians, while losing money training the nurses and welders that are so desperately needed by their communities.
We must also establish the “Louisiana Fast Start Program” so we can quickly respond to workforce opportunities and challenges in the state. The Fast Start Program will make sure that Louisiana is better and faster at getting new, or expanding, employers off the ground than any other state or province in North America.
Third, we must maximize the role of business in our workforce training programs and tear down the current structure to build a re-designed, well-coordinated system geared toward a 21st century workforce. It’s time to put businesses and workers – not government bureaucrats - in the driver’s seat.
Fourth, we must expand the career options of high school students by allowing them early participation in community and technical college programs. We must provide a path to opportunity for these students through dual enrollment programs beginning when they are still in high school.
Fifth and finally, we must recruit and train new workers to fill the vacant jobs we have today. We must reach out to those Louisianians currently outside of our workforce who can match the demands of our businesses but may lack the exact skills they need or are unaware of the many opportunities for their employment.
I have included some articles from around the state detailing our workforce plan that I thought you would enjoy.
“Support Governor Jindal’s Workforce Plan,” Bossier Press Tribune
“Jindal proposal excites college administration,” Bogalusa Daily News
“Governor unveils workforce plan,” Houma Courier
“Jindal pushes workforce plan,” Baton Rouge Advocate
Tackling our Education and Health Care Systems
In addition to overhauling our workforce development programs, we must also tackle many of the other challenges facing our state. We must work towards making Louisiana a place where every child has access to a high-quality education and every Louisianian has access to affordable health care.
It is critically important that we continue to support early childhood education, LA4, to prepare our children for a lifetime of success and we must also help our teachers.
Sadly, about half of our new teachers are not in Louisiana’s public schools within five years of graduating, and one of the top reasons they list for leaving is the environment in the classroom. Louisiana currently ranks 39th out of 40 states reviewed when it comes to discipline in the classroom.
Despite the existing laws on the books, too many of our teachers do not feel protected in the classroom. They need the support of principals, superintendents, school board officials, and most importantly, the parents. We must pass a Teachers Bill of Rights - to reaffirm the rights of our teachers to teach and to discipline.
As for our health care system, Louisiana currently ranks 10th best in the nation for providing health insurance for low-income children. My budget will also provide $10 million in funding to allow more Louisiana children to receive health insurance through the Louisiana Children’s Health Insurance Program.
Studies show that up to 100,000 Americans die every year from avoidable medical errors, and that nurses spend an hour filling out paperwork for every hour they provide in care, in many hospital settings. We are providing more than $18 million to assist physicians and rural hospitals with the implementation of electronic medical records.
And we are beginning an initiative called “E-Prescribing” that allows secure electronic access and use of a patient’s medical records to prevent errors and help physicians make more informed decisions. The development of the Louisiana Health Information Exchange will provide a seamless flow of patient data from hospitals, insurance companies, and physicians across the state to ensure the highest level of patient care.
Also, too many people with mental health issues today are slipping through the cracks and ending up in our emergency rooms and in our criminal justice system. The broken pieces of our mental healthcare system affect every Louisianian. Last week, I announced “Nicola’s Law,” named after New Orleans officer Nicola Cotton, who was shot and killed by a mentally ill patient in New Orleans just months ago. Nicola’s Law will require a patient to receive the help they need even when they themselves will not do so voluntarily.
“Jindal targets state’s mental-health crisis,” The Daily Advertiser
Protecting Our Children
Finally, as the father of three young children, I cannot overstate the importance of making every effort to keep our children safe from violent criminals and sexual predators. I know some folks think it is great that you can go online today and see where these monsters live, block by block – but I look forward to the day when you can go online and see that they all live in one place – in Angola – far away from our kids.
In this session, we must increase the penalties for sexual predators that prey on our kids. We must double and triple the sentences for those who harm our children – especially for those sex offenders that prey on our kids through the internet. And, once someone is convicted of a sex crime, we should require them to register as a sex offender for the duration of their life – not just 15 years – but their entire life. Victims have to live their entire lives with the memory of what happened to them; perpetrators should not face a lesser sentence.
Louisiana will be known for our strict laws against this vile behavior, and those thinking of harming our state’s children will now know the consequences they will face. Louisiana is the greatest place in the world to raise a family, and these changes will make our state safer for all our families.
Below is an article detailing our plans to increase penalties for sexual predators.
“Jindal seeks crackdown on sex crimes,” Baton Rouge Advocate
I have also included below some stories on the upcoming session, as well as my speech to the Legislature.
“Governor Bobby Jindal’s regular session opening speech,” The News Star
“Jindal pushes training,” Baton Rouge Advocate
“Jindal pushes lawmakers to pass ‘work force development’ changes,” Associated Press
“Governor Jindal remains on a roll,” New Orleans CityBusiness
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Taking the Next Step
March 24th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear 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.
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| 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,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Thank You
March 17th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
Thank You
I would like to thank you, the people of Louisiana, for all of your efforts through the first two legislative sessions this year. Real change cannot happen without the support of the people, and Louisianians continue to show that they will not stand for the way things used to be. We are transforming Louisiana into a state that the nation will look to as a leader, and not a punch line of jokes.
I hope you will join me this week when I am in your area as I travel around the state to thank you for your help. I visited Lake Charles and Lafayette earlier today and I have included my schedule below in hopes that I will see you.
Tuesday March 18, 11:00am
Diamond Grill Restaurant - Emerald Room, 1st flr. 924 3rd St., Alexandria, LA 71301
Wednesday, March 19, 2:15pm
Copeland’s Restaurant. 1534 Martin Luther King Blvd, Houma, LA 70360
Thursday, March 20, 11:00am
Bossier Parish Community College, Student Union. 6220 East Texas Street, Bossier City, LA 71111
Thursday, March 20, 1:30pm
International Paper Learning Center, 705 Colliers Ln Bastrop, LA 71220
Bringing New Opportunities to Louisiana
With the close of the legislative special session last Friday, we have taken another major step forward in making Louisiana a better place for not only ourselves, but our children and grandchildren as well. For too long, burdensome and unnecessary taxes have crippled the ability of our current businesses to grow and hindered potential future investments in our state, hurting Louisiana families along the way.
We have accelerated the elimination of the tax on business investments, such as machinery and other equipment. This will now be completely eliminated by July 1, 2009, ensuring that Louisiana will no longer be one of only three states to tax such investments. We have also sped up the elimination of the tax on business debt, which will allow businesses to invest more into their infrastructure, such as employment and expansion. This means more and better jobs for more Louisiana families.
We also abolished the “permanent penny” tax on business utilities, which has proven to cost companies already in our state tens of millions of dollars. If neighboring states can continue to provide a more attractive, less expensive avenue in which to do business, our state will continue to hemorrhage jobs and place larger burdens on our families.
Another tax deduction will also be offered to Louisiana families in order to offset the costs of schooling. The tax deduction will be available for tuition, uniforms, and other expenses for students statewide. We must continue working to make certain that every child in Louisiana has access to a quality education, and this tax deduction will be a great help.
With the eradication of these taxes, we have sent a sign to the nation and the world that Louisiana is open for business, and that we will continue working to be one of the best places to invest, grow, and create jobs. This means more opportunities for our children to stay in Baton Rouge or Shreveport or Monroe instead of leaving for Houston, Dallas, or Atlanta. And that is essential to the future of our state.
Improving our State’s Infrastructure
The special session also gave us the opportunity to invest in our state’s future by allocating funds from our surplus. We were able to invest in and set aside funds for critical improvements in levees, coastal restoration, roads, ports, and other important areas.
We have allocated $530 million for transportation and infrastructure projects throughout Louisiana, ensuring a significant improvement in our state’s roads, bridges, and ports. State and parish bridges will be repaired in order to prevent their closure, and rural roads across the state that are not eligible for federal dollars will be repaired as well. Legislation was also passed that dedicates monies that come from vehicle and licensing fees to what they are intended for — transportation needs, instead of disappearing in the general fund.
Our investments will also fulfill ALL the projects in the Port Priority Program, bringing funding to the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, Greater Lafourche Port Commission, Port of South Louisiana, Terrebonne Port Commission, Port of New Orleans, St. Bernard Port, Habor, and Terminal District, Caddo/Bossier Port Commission, Greater Ouachita Parish Port Commission, and the Port of Iberia.
By investing in our ports like Mobile and Houston continue to do, we will keep our place as a leader in international trade as larger cargo ships reach the Gulf with the completion of the Panama Canal expansion in 2014. For example, our investment at the Port of Terrebonne will lead to thousands of additional skilled jobs, and one company has already agreed to create 1,000 new jobs with an average salary of over $50,000.
Funding will also be provided for important interstates and highways throughout the state, such as I-12, I-49, LA-28, and the El Camino East-West Corridor. Additionally, $57 million will be allocated to the Cyber Innovation Center at Barksdale Air Force Base to improve access via Interstate 220 and make the site more attractive to Cyber Command in the long term. This will retain several thousand jobs, and attract several thousand more, and position northwest Louisiana as a center for high tech and professional jobs.
We have also committed $300 million for hurricane protection and coastal restoration projects, the largest such commitment in our state’s history. Hurricanes Katrina and Rita showed that we no longer have the luxury to wait and study, and that action must be taken immediately. We cannot afford a repeat of 2005.
Finally, we have provided a $50 million capital investment in Pennington Biomedical Research Center, one of the world’s leading nutrition research centers. This will provide for a new clinical research building, new high-tech equipment, and recruitment of faculty who are worldwide leaders in their fields. This will also bring more than 1,100 new jobs, and provide an economic impact of more than $110 million annually.
I have also attached some links I thought you may find interesting regarding this past legislative session.
“Jindal ‘bats a thousand’ at session” - New Orleans Times-Picayune
“Jindal calls session a victory for state” – Baton Rouge Advocate
“Jindal labels session ‘very productive’” – Shreveport Times
“Cutting tax on business helps state,” - New Orleans Times-Picayune
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Bringing a New Era of Economic Development to Louisiana
March 13th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
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| Governor Jindal speaks of investing in Louisiana so our children do not have to leave our state to pursue their dreams. |
Bringing a New Era of Economic Development to Louisiana
Now that we have taken the first step towards a New Louisiana by adopting the nation’s toughest ethics laws, we must now move forward by ridding ourselves of cumbersome business taxes that hurt Louisiana employers, employees, and families.
Louisiana families are being torn apart by economic uncertainty. Our young people are leaving the state in search of better opportunities and our communities are struggling to meet needs in education and health care thanks to an uncertain economic base.
Louisiana must be a place where businesses can startup and thrive, where employers can put down roots, and where families can count on good careers.
This can be accomplished by investing in our businesses here at home first and removing the burdensome taxes that are hindering their growth. That is why I have called the Legislature into a second special session – to eliminate the burdensome permanent tax on business utilities, accelerate the elimination of the tax on business investment and accelerate the elimination of the tax on capital debt.
Taxing businesses that borrow money to grow and expand hurts all businesses, but it is especially toxic to the small and family-owned businesses that are the backbone of our economy. With these burdensome taxes, Louisiana cannot compete with surrounding states, and will continue to lose jobs and economic opportunities not only for ourselves, but for our children and grandchildren as well.
Every time businesses invest in other states and not here in Louisiana we lose more opportunities for our children and face another set-back in our work to ensure our children do not have to leave home to pursue their dreams.
Investing in our Roads and Ports
The second purpose of this session is to invest our state’s surplus to help alleviate problems that have plagued our state’s infrastructure for years, such as coastal erosion and unacceptable road and highway conditions. We also have the opportunity to invest in research and technology by investing in Cyber Command in Shreveport and Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge.
Increased economic development requires that we ensure that our state’s infrastructure can handle the increased activity, and for too long we have ignored serious problems in this area. Thousands of miles of road in our state are in unacceptable condition, and there is a $14 billion backlog in unmet transportation needs. Too many of our roads are filled with potholes and congestion. This is costing our people hundreds of dollars in maintenance costs and hundreds of hours in wasted time.
That is why I am proposing that we dedicate monies that come from vehicle and licensing fees to what they are intended for — transportation needs, instead of disappearing in the general fund. I am also proposing that we invest hundreds of millions of dollars to improve roads and bridges, as well as for expanding interstates and major highways throughout the state, such as I-12, I-49, and LA-28.
We can also work to improve our state’s ports and fully fund ALL projects in the state’s Port Priority Program. This includes funding for the Port of Iberia, the Greater Lafourche Port Commission, the Port of South Louisiana, the Caddo/Bossier Port Commission, the Lake Charles Harbor and Terminal District, and the Port of New Orleans.
With the widening of the Panama Canal expected to be completed by 2014, the Gulf of Mexico will see an increase in trade that can either go to Mobile, Houston or New Orleans. By providing funding to the Port of New Orleans, for example, we can help expand the terminal capacity by 45 percent, enable the port to secure a long-term commitment from of one of the world’s largest container carriers and ensure that the increased trade comes to Louisiana. An investment to expand the Port of Terrebonne will help bring 1,000 new skilled jobs to the area with an annual salary of $54,000.
I am also proposing that we dedicate $300 million, the biggest single investment in the history of our state, to coastal restoration and hurricane protection. While our state only has 30 percent of the nation’s coastal marshlands, we lose 90 percent of the marshland erosion. The hurricanes of 2005 brought to light the importance of fixing our coast, and we no longer have the ability to wait and study possible solutions. Now is the time for action.
Committing to Technology and Research
Louisiana must send a strong message to the rest of the nation by showing our commitment to technology and research.
The Shreveport-Bossier community has been working non-stop over the past few months to make Barksdale Air Force Base the permanent home of Cyber Command, the Air Force’s headquarters to protect our country in cyberspace. From my meetings with Air Force Secretary Michael Wynn and the President, I know the Air Force is looking for more than promises; they are looking for commitment through action.
That is why we must invest $57 million for Cyber Command, to ensure that it stays right here in Louisiana. Cyber Command will bring thousands of good, high-paying jobs to Louisiana and transform the entire I-20 corridor.
We must also invest $50 million in Pennington Biomedical Research Center in Baton Rouge, a worldwide leader in nutrition research. Currently, the University of Alabama-Birmingham receives more federal research funding than all of Louisiana’s public universities combined. This cannot continue.
Our investment in Pennington will help attract more skilled researchers and provide more than 1,100 new jobs, resulting in more than $40 million in earnings annually, and generating an economic impact of more than $110 million every year.
Let me be clear: these initiatives mean thousands of new jobs, new opportunities, and good-paying, rewarding careers so our Louisiana children don’t have to move away to other states to pursue their dreams. From Terrebonne to Bossier, we have to create opportunities for our young people right here at home.
Below are some stories regarding our investments that we will be making in the current special session:
“Money Well Spent,” New Orleans Times-Picayune
“Jindal Seeks tax breaks and surplus spending,” Associated Press
“Shift state revenue to roads-only fund,” Lafayette Daily Advertiser
“Jindal offers tax cuts, billions in spending,” New Orleans Times-Picayune
“1,000 jobs sweeten proposal,” Baton Rouge Advocate
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Bringing Transparency to Government
February 25th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
Bringing Transparency to Government
Thanks to the hard work of the Legislature over the past two weeks, we are now on the verge of passing strong ethics reform legislation called for by the people of Louisiana. Transparency and openness are the foundation of the new Louisiana, and these reforms will help move our state from the bottom five states to the top five in terms of strong ethics laws.
Transparency is critical to changing our state’s image and building a better Louisiana not only in the present, but for our children and grandchildren as well. Recent studies by both LSU and Forbes have shown that the most important issue Louisiana must address to entice more companies to locate in our state is a dramatic strengthening of our ethics laws. Thanks to the Legislature and your help, we are on the brink of accomplishing that goal.
For example, House Bill 1, one of the cornerstones of my ethics reform plan, will strengthen our state’s disclosure laws, making elected officials’ and many appointees’ financial records public and available on-line. This legislation has passed both the House and Senate and the final details are being worked out in a Conference Committee before being sent to my desk for signature.
Two other bills are also in Conference Committee- Senate Bills 1 and 8 - that will prevent state officials from obtaining state contracts and will put an end to the lavish meals that elected officials are currently able to accept.
These bills are critical to our efforts to reform our state’s ethics laws. These bills, along with others, are awaiting final passage by the Legislature, and are a testament to both the new Legislature and the people of Louisiana.
The cry for change has been heard, and, as we enter the final week of this special session, now is not the time for rest. There is still work to be done as these bills and many others are worked out in Conference Committees, and we still need your help to ensure their passage.
I have attached links to a few stories I believe you might find interesting regarding our ethics session.
“Key Bills in Ethics Reform Package Moving Toward Passage” The Daily Advertiser
“Jindal’s Ethics Plan on Track” The Baton Rouge Advocate
Meeting with Fellow Governors
I was pleased to attend part of the National Governors Association’s winter meeting in Washington, D.C. this past weekend. The meeting allowed me to meet with other governors to discuss and share ideas pertaining to transportation, education, and energy, three issues that are critical to the future of our state.
Many governors asked about the ethics reforms we are currently pursuing and expressed their support for these measures. The nation is taking notice that this is not the same old Louisiana, and that we are on the rise.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Shining the Light of Transparency
February 19th, 2008 | Posted by adminDear Friends,
Shining the Light of Transparency
The House and Senate took a great step forward last Friday in passing HB1 and SB1, respectively. I was particularly pleased that the Senate passed legislation requiring significantly more transparency from lobbyists, banning of free tickets, ending lavish meals, and preventing conflicts of interest by ending the practice of legislators having contracts with the state. The House also passed one of the nation’s toughest financial disclosure forms and applied it to all elected officials and several appointed officials.
These bills are the critical first step in turning our state around, and we are still working in order to ensure their overall passage.
We have been given a unique opportunity to erase the sins of our state’s past, and build a better Louisiana for our children and grandchildren. Failure is not an option, and I will not rest until our state’s image has been rebuilt.
While we have taken this important first step, we still need your help. Ethics reform is not something that can be accomplished without strong public support, and I encourage you to continue to let your elected officials know that Louisiana is ready for change and that you agree with the strong legislation moving through the Legislature. I have also included a link below that I think you may find interesting regarding our ethics package.
“Cozy Corruption Should End Soon,” New Orleans City Business
Taking FEMA to Task
Many of you may have seen the announcement made last week by the Centers for Disease Prevention and Control and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) that they have discovered high levels of formaldehyde in FEMA trailers in New Orleans and along the Gulf Coast. As a Congressman, I called for Congressional hearings to investigate this matter almost a year ago, and it is absolutely unacceptable for there to be such a delay in addressing this situation.
The federal government must now provide care to those living in FEMA trailers that were affected by this mistake, as well as provide more in-depth details as to their plans for relocating the 36,000 people living in temporary housing along the Gulf Coast. It has been over two years since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, and the time for talking is over. Action must be taken.
Honoring Louisiana’s Longest-Married Couple
Supriya and I were honored to be joined by Ferdinand and Emily Cavalier, Louisiana’s longest-known married couple, at the Governor’s Mansion on Valentine’s Day. The Cavaliers, of Schriever, were married in 1931, and have since been joined by ten children, two dozen grandchildren, three dozen great-grandchildren and nine great-great-grandchildren.
It was great to see a husband and wife still so much in love after 77 years of marriage, and it truly speaks to the power of this great institution. Supriya and I wish them many more years of happiness.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Show Your Support for Ethics Reform
February 12th, 2008 | Posted by bobbyjindalShow Your Support for Ethics Reform
Yesterday we embarked on the single most important endeavor for the future of Louisiana - bringing comprehensive ethics reform and transparency to our state. I called the State Legislature into session solely to tackle these issues, and I am looking forward to working with the Legislature to ensure that our ethics laws become the gold standard in the nation.
The actions that will be taken over the coming days will have a lasting impact on generations to come and help erase Louisiana’s image created by generations past.
In recent months, LSU and Forbes, in separate studies, found that the most important issue Louisiana must address to attract investment and jobs is a dramatic strengthening of our ethics laws at the state and local levels.
There will be those who want to see this fail, but failure is not an option. I need your help to ensure that no attempt to derail our movement for lasting change is successful. I’m sure we will hear many arguments against reform. There will be those who say it is too burdensome, too transparent, and too restrictive, but it is the right thing to do.
You made your voice for change heard last fall, and now it is time to let your Legislators know that your support for reform is stronger than ever. I urge you to call or email your State Representatives and Senators today and let your voice be heard. I also encourage you to attend one of the upcoming hearings at the State Capitol this week in Baton Rouge. You can visit House Committee Room 6 and the John J. Hankel, Jr. Room in the Senate today and tomorrow from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m.
What They Are Saying
Newspapers, media outlets and organizations from around the state agree that we must pass real ethics reform, sending a strong message to the rest of the nation. I thought I would share some of the comments with you below.
New Orleans City Business says that, “Jindal is striking while the iron is hot. Those interested in molding a more effective state will allow him to do so and encourage him as he rebrands our dubious national reputation into one of progressive integrity.”
The Alexandria Town Talk says “Citizens want this — all of this. They said so when they elected Bobby Jindal to lead the state through fundamental change… (Governor Jindal) knows that long-entrenched special interests will fight him, tooth and nail.”
The New Orleans Times Picayune said that our ethics reform proposals “are the most ambitious ethics reform package the Legislature has seen in decades. Approving it would not only help repair Louisiana’s battered image but also would go a long way in improving our state’s business and civic climate.” They concluded that “The Legislature has an opportunity to make a dramatic shift away from the so-called Louisiana Way. They should do it.”
The Monroe News-Star cautioned against amending the agenda we submitted to the Legislature. They said, “If the governor’s plan must be amended, it should be amended with the goal of making it stronger. That’s because Louisiana’s political reputation has sunk so low in some corners of the country that only a total triumph in ethics reform will cause the country to take notice.”
Good government groups have also expressed the importance of passing comprehensive ethics reform. Council For a Better Louisiana (CABL), in supporting ethics reform, wrote that “Governor Jindal has set the stage for something Louisiana has never really had in recent years – an intensely focused public debate on a wide range of ethics reforms that are ambitious and, in many cases, have never been seriously discussed at the Legislature before.”
As I have said before, the war on corruption will be tough. There will be those who will resist change and reform, and I cannot fight this battle alone. I need your help. Let your voice be heard today. Get involved. Together, we can pass real ethics reform and bring lasting change. We are better than our state’s national reputation of corruption and incompetence and we deserve nothing less than the national gold standard for ethics reform.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
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