Bobby Jindal
Blog
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
Achieving the Gold Standard
February 7th, 2008 | Posted by bobbyjindalDear Friends,
Achieving the Gold Standard
On Sunday, Louisiana will take a bold step forward to setting the national gold standard for ethics reform when the Legislature convenes in special session.
We have been given the best opportunity of our lifetimes to change our state’s image, and I will not rest until we have done so.
We must strengthen lobbyist disclosure laws and enforce real penalties for those who break them. We must make all public officials’ records as transparent as possible and eliminate conflicts of interest, making a clear distinction between those who want to serve the state and those who want to do business with the state. The public has a right to know how their hard earned tax dollars are being spent, that no conflicts of interest exist and exactly who is lobbying elected officials to try and influence them.
A recent study by the Forbes Strategic Research Group found 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.
Many groups agree and have come out praising my ethics package, including the Louisiana Municipal Association, Louisiana Sheriffs’ Association, Louisiana Assessors’ Association, Louisiana District Attorneys’ Association, Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL), and LA Ethics 1. This widespread praise is critical as we move forward in this process.
In fact CABL called my ethics reform agenda “the most comprehensive single package of reforms proposed by any governor since the creation of the ethics code itself.”
I have added some links below that I think you may be interested in reading regarding the upcoming ethics special session.
- “Jindal Makes Good on Promise,” American Press
- “Jindal Argues For Ethics Reform,” Shreveport Times
- “Jindal says ethics reform to be great boost for La.”, Alexandria Town Talk
Spreading the Word on Ethics Reform
This week I am traveling all over the state to make certain that citizens just like you throughout Louisiana know that we have an aggressive, bold agenda for overhauling our ethics laws and the important role that everyone will play once the Legislature begins voting on these items. I have been to Monroe, Alexandria, New Orleans, Lake Charles and Lafayette so far, and will visit Shreveport on Friday to let residents know that corruption and incompetence may have been part of our state’s past, but it will not be part of our future.
The response I have received is overwhelming, and it proves how ready the people of our great state are for real change. The war on corruption and incompetence will not be easy. There will be those who will try to stand in the way of a New Louisiana. Our state cannot afford failure.
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| Governor Bobby Jindal speaks with Lance Armstrong during a recent Habitat for Humanity event in New Orleans. |
The Legislature will begin taking up our agenda beginning Monday and I need your help. Let legislators know that the time to pass ethics reform is now. One way to make a big impact is by attending the House and Governmental Affairs Committee on Monday at 9 a.m. in Room 2 as they begin debate on financial disclosure legislation. The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee will begin debate at 9 a.m. on Monday in Room F on legislation pertaining to conflicts of interest. By having a strong public presence, we will send a message to legislators that ethics reform is the first step in building a New Louisiana where what you know is more important that who you know.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
Hosting World Leaders in New Orleans
January 31st, 2008 | Posted by bobbyjindalDear Friends,
Hosting World Leaders in New Orleans
Louisiana received great news on Monday night when President Bush took the opportunity in his State of the Union address to announce that New Orleans will host the North American Leaders Summit this coming April.
This is an opportunity for the world to see the progress that has been made in our state’s recovery, as well as a chance to show the world that Louisiana is ready for business, ready for investment and ready for visitors.
When speaking with the President about his decision, he told me that New Orleans was chosen because of the resilience of residents along the Gulf Coast.
With events such as the Sugar Bowl and BCS Championship just finished, and Mardi Gras, Jazz Fest and the NBA All-Star game before us, the North American Leaders Summit is another opportunity for the eyes of the world to turn to Louisiana.
Securing Support for Cyber Command
On Friday I met with Secretary of the Air Force Michael Wynn in Washington to reaffirm the state’s commitment to permanently bringing Cyber Command to Barksdale Air Force Base. I have pledged to commit the first $50 million of the state surplus to support the transportation and infrastructure improvements needed for Cyber Command.
During my meeting, the Secretary told me he was impressed with the commitments made at the local and state levels and that a final decision should be coming toward the end of the year.
He emphasized that over a dozen communities are competing for the site, and that it was important for communities like Shreveport/Bossier City and the state to build the needed infrastructure now, such as the Cyber Innovation Center, in preparation of Cyber Command.
I was honored to take part last week in the groundbreaking for the Center, which will help provide support and development for Cyber Command. It is encouraging to see the community – government, private businesses, college and universities and non-profit organizations – working together to make Cyber Command and the Cyber Innovation Center a reality. Cyber Command will help bring thousands of high paying jobs to our state that will transform the I-20 corridor. I will continue to work hard in the coming months to make Barksdale the permanent Cyber Command.
Below is a link to an article concerning the Cyber Innovation Center groundbreaking.
“Jindal says Cyber Command efforts ‘priority,’ pledges state funds,” Shreveport Times
Helping Our Existing Businesses Expand
On Sunday I met with leaders from Koch Industries, a large employer that has eight different companies in Louisiana, such as Georgia Pacific, about how the state is a partner in helping businesses in our state succeed. I spoke with the president of Koch industries and offered the state’s assistance in helping their businesses grow and expand, as well as help plants like Springhill’s Georgia Pacific plant get back up and running.
As I told the Claiborne Parish Chamber of Commerce on Monday, so many times in the past our state has focused on luring the next big business to our state. And while that is important, we must remember and support those businesses that are already in the state. One way to help these businesses expand and grow is to eliminate the burdensome business taxes that other states, such as Texas, Mississippi and Arkansas, do not have.
We must level the playing field for our businesses by eliminating the taxes on debt, machinery and equipment and utilities. After we win the war on corruption with ethics reform, I will call the legislature into special session to eliminate these taxes for good.
Sincerely,
Governor Bobby Jindal
A New Louisiana
January 18th, 2008 | Posted by bobbyjindalDear Friends,
A New Louisiana
Inauguration was the first step towards a new beginning for our state. A new beginning that will bring a better life for our children and grandchildren, and the generations that follow them. And, as you all know, there is much work to be done.
The events surrounding Inauguration were a special time and I hope you were able to participate in some of the events, be it the family festival, the swearing in ceremony at the State Capitol, or just by watching the events on television or listening to them on radio. If you missed the Inauguration this past Monday, you can watch the entire ceremony by clicking here.
I have also included some links below of coverage regarding Inauguration.
“We Will Not Fail,” The Times Picayune
Jindal Shares Vision for Louisiana, Baton Rouge Advocate
Travelling the State It was a great honor to give my first speech as Governor in Monroe to the Chamber of Commerce Thursday night. As I told the Chamber, we have been given a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to turn our state around. While we may not completely understand the circumstances that brought us to this point, we certainly understand what we must now do.
First and foremost, we must create a Louisiana that is a national leader in openness and accountability, free of the scandals that have plagued us for too long. We are a worldwide leader and innovator in so many areas, only to be held back by an image tarnished by greedy politicians and incompetence in our state agencies.
We must also create a business environment conducive to not only bringing new businesses to Louisiana, but helping those already here stay and bringing home those who have left for Atlanta, Houston, or Dallas.
You can read more about Thursday night’s event below.
Jindal Promises to Strengthen Northeastern Louisiana, Monroe New Star
I am also looking forward to travelling to Bossier City on Monday for the groundbreaking of the Cyber Innovation Center, which will help provide support and development for Cyber Command that is being provisionally created at Barksdale Air Force Base. Cyber Command will be a great step forward for the economy of Northwest Louisiana, and I will continue to work to make sure that it is permanently located at Barksdale.
Combating Corruption, Incompetence and Fiscal Irresponsibility
We do not have time to sit back and wait for change to happen, and we must immediately begin tackling the issues facing our state. On my first full day as Governor, I issued four Executive Orders in order to combat corruption, incompetence, and fiscal irresponsibility. The first increases the ethical standards for my cabinet and staff in excess of what is currently required by law so that corruption will not be given the opportunity to find a home in this Administration.
The second order calls for greater transparency in government, giving taxpayers easier online access to see how their hard-earned money is being spent. The third order will enact a hiring freeze within the executive branch in order to control runaway spending and restore a sense of fiscal discipline to government.
The final order will expedite the hurricane recovery decision-making by the Louisiana Recovery Authority by helping to eliminate duplicative efforts and red tape.
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| Governor Jindal and his son Shaan visit with LSU player Glen Dorsey at LSU’s National Championship Celebration on Saturday in Tiger Stadium. |
Below is a link to an article discussing the Executive Orders.
Jindal Moves Quickly on Critical Issues, Lafayette Daily Advertiser
Thank you all again for your support, and I look forward to serving you as Governor of the great state of Louisiana.
Sincerely,
Bobby Jindal
An Invitation from Governor-elect Jindal
January 10th, 2008 | Posted by bobbyjindalDear Friends:
As Inauguration approaches, I wanted to take the opportunity to invite you to some of the Inaugural events in the coming days. This is a very exciting time for our state, and I hope that you will be able to join us to celebrate.
This coming Saturday, January 12, we will be holding the “Believe in Louisiana” Inaugural Family Festival at the Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Capitol Atrium. This free festival will have activities for children, musical entertainment, door prizes and a variety of foods from around the state. I know that this will be a very enjoyable afternoon for children and adults alike. Information regarding time and place is below.
Believe in Louisiana Inaugural Family Festival
The Sheraton Baton Rouge Convention Center Capitol Atrium
102 France Street
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Saturday January 12, 2008
2:00pm – 6:00pm
I would also like to invite you to the Inauguration Ceremony on Monday, January 14. Statewide officials, including myself, will be taking their oaths of office at the State Capitol in what promises to be an historic day for our state. The people of Louisiana have called for change, and Inauguration Day brings an official start to turning our state around.
Inauguration Ceremony
Monday January 14, 2008
11:30 AM
Steps of Louisiana State Capitol
I am looking forward to taking office, and I want to take one more opportunity to thank you for your support. Without it, these events would not have been possible. I look forward to seeing you Saturday and again on Monday!
Sincerely,
Bobby Jindal
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