Posted on 06/24/2008 12:09:42 PM PDT by abb
Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal, in Shreveport for a ceremonial signing of a tax cut bill passed by the Legislature, was met today by protesters upset over state lawmakers doubling their pay and the governor's decision not to veto it.
Residents around the state want the governor to veto the pay raise bill. Jindal said he thinks the raise is a bad idea but he won't veto it, saying the Legislature should deal with the consequences of its actions.
Jindal went to Chamber of Commerce Plaza in downtown Shreveport at noon today for a ceremonial signing of a bill sponsored by Sen. B.L. Shaw of Shreveport that does away with the tax increases that arose out of the so-called Stelly Plan, which changed income tax brackets in return for doing away with the state sales tax on groceries.
"The easiest thing for me would be veto it," Jindal said to cheers. "I would be the most popular governor in the state's history."
He was heckled by one man when he added, "I don't want to give legislators or anybody else an excuse to slow down the reforms that ar so important for our state."
"You promised to veto!" the heckler said.
The protesters were outside with signs when the governor arrived. They were allowed inside the Chamber of Commerce building for the governor's appearance.
To be perfectly honest, he fooled me. He had a decent voting record in congress. I voted for him for gov. five years ago and last year. He said all the right things and made you believe them. We conservatives were excited.
But this has been a very bitter letdown. I mean Louisiana ain't got the best reputation and now this faux conservative comes along and he's no better than what we've dealt with all my life.
Well, the man needs to be taught a lesson.
That it is but for the most part if you take the job you are unemployable with respect to your spare time.
One of Jindal’s campaign pledges, clearly stated in black and white on his brochure, was that he would NOT allow this legislature to vote themselves a pay raise that would take effect while they were still in office.
This is why people are absolutely furious in Louisiana. Make no mistake, the anger toward Jindal and this legislature is palpable. I’ve never seen this much anger over an issue in Louisiana since I’ve been following politics in this State for over 23 years. The electorate is fed up!!
So when does this pay raise take effect? Before or after this fall’s election?
If after, he’s broken no promise.
The pay raise is effective July 1, 2008. The next election for the governor and the legislature is fall, 2011. They were just sworn in January of this year.
It takes effect almost immediately.
He clearly broke his campaign pledge. Jindal has disappointed many. He is a another weak-kneed politician posing as a strong conservative. The man has no political fight in him whatsoever.
That's why the state is so screwed up. You have been taken advantage of for years and when a governor comes in and makes the process transparent, you crucify him.
I think office holders should be just that, and not there selling their services.
How is legislative pay a liberal/conservative issue?
Jindal: great guy but you can’t compare him to Mark Sanford.
http://www.scgovernor.com/news/releases/april_08/news_release_april_08_b04-08-08.htm
and then
http://www.scgovernor.com/news/releases/april_08/news_release_april08_04-09-08.htm
Schwarzejindal.
What a pity.
Follow the bouncing ball......
Jindal is not being “crucified” for making the process transparent.
He’s being crucified for not standing up for clear campaign promises he made to the people of Louisiana. He essentially lied. And he managed to do it in short order.
And by the way, all the transparency in the world means nothing if you can’t deliver on your campaign promises.
Come on, he’s a Republican, you remember, the “Stupid Party”?
No wonder there's been so much corruption in Louisiana,....the only way for a legislator to feed his family is to dive into graft.
Those are two interesting press releases you linked! Thanks.
But they date back to April. The story ends with the SC legislature saying they’ll reconsider their vote on their pay raises.
So what’s happened in the interim? Too often, politicians take bad stuff off the table until emotions cool, then slip it through when attentions have turned elsewhere.
Note to Jindal: A veto means never having to say you’re sorry.
“How is legislative pay a liberal/conservative issue?”
Jindal, posing as a strong Conservative for the people of Louisiana, issued the campaing pledge while running for Governor to not allow a legislature pay raise to take effect while they were in office.
Pelican State ping
Jindal will not be McLame’s VP choice, not after this moment of “Gee, what could I do?”
Governor, be ready to deal with the consequences of your *own* actions.
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