2008
It’s a new (pork-free) day in Jindal’s Louisiana
Yes, indeed!
Some state lawmakers took offense at a letter from Gov. Bobby Jindal, in which he threatened to line-item veto the add-ons they often insert into the state’s budget each year.
… Lawmakers routinely add local projects into the budget bill each year, including millions of dollars for an array of non-governmental agencies in their districts.
The add-ons are criticized by government watchdog groups as pork barrel spending that shouldn’t get state money. Lawmakers say the organizations provide useful services in their districts, and they’ve proposed nearly $47 million in such add-ons so far. …
In his letter, Jindal said the only funding he would support for non-governmental organizations would have to show statewide benefit or “substantial regional impact,” be discussed during the legislative session and be the priority of a state agency.
“Any NGO funding passed by the Legislature that does not meet the following criteria will be vetoed,” Jindal wrote in the letter, sent last week, before listing the requirements.
I admit I was disappointed about the way the Louisiana legislature sneakily gutted the ethics reform he pushed through, and that Jindal allowed them to do so. But if he holds the line on pork, that will effectively provide another method of ethics reform; at least while Jindal is in office. I’ll take what I can get.
May 7th, 2008 at 2:18 pm
Sure wish you’d share him with the rest of the US.
McCain/Jindal might actually work… but it’s okay, you keep him for four years then share him. His straightening out your state will be a HUGE plus in 2012.
May 8th, 2008 at 11:58 pm
You know, I’m not sure I could vote for McCain even under those circumstances… I’m trying hard to convince myself it’s the best thing to do, but I’m just not there. Honestly, it depends a great deal on how the war’s going in November whether I vote for him.