Governor Jindal
Jindal's newest proposal would shut four CENLA prisons
A revised proposal from Governor Jindal would close four Central Louisiana prisons. Under the new plan, Avoyelles Correctional Center in Cottonport and the J. Levy Dabadie Correctional Center in Pineville, would closed, as would the privately run Allen and Winn correctional centers. Full article.
Water nears top of Morganza floodgates
Gov. Bobby Jindal recently indicated that, regardless of whether the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers opens the Morganza Spillway, water is likely to be pouring into the Atchafalaya Basin within the next few days. Gov. Jindal flew over the spillway and down to Morgan City, met with officials and citizens. Gov. Jindal also said Corps maps indicate 3 million acres could be inundated -- about 2 million acres in South Louisiana and the rest along the river from the Arkansas border to Baton Rouge. Some 15,000 structures are expected to be flooded. Full article.
Panel considers LA House redistricting
After Gov. Jindal recently urged members to work in a nonpartisan manner, the House and Governmental Affairs Committee will begin hearing the proposed House Redistricting plan. The hearing is expected to take at least two days. Full article.
MFP funding plan concerns Cenla officials
Gov. Bobby Jindal's budget proposal vows that the main funding source for public schools, the Minimum Foundation Program, would be protected even as the state faces a $1.6 billion budget shortfall. “…The fact that MFP funding will have no inflationary adjustments will put the Rapides Parish school system "in a very precarious situation…" said state Rep. Herbert Dixon, D-Alexandria, a former Rapides School Board member. Full article.
Governor Jindal works to extend Enhancements of Critical Business Incentives
Gov. Jindal recently announced he will work to extend the Quality Jobs Program, the Research and Dev Tax Credit & the Technology Commercialization Credit/Jobs Program to keep the state competitive in attracting business investment and spur job creation. The Quality Jobs program encourages businesses to locate or expand operations in Louisiana by providing tax incentives for job creation and capital investment. Full article.
LA explores prison sale
The Jindal administration is asking companies to detail how much they would charge the state to care for inmates in Allen and Winn parishes, if two state prisons are sold to ease budget problems. The Jindal administration estimates a sale of the prisons would net the state $66 million, money that could help trim a $1.6 billion state operating budget shortfall expected for the fiscal year that starts July 1. Full article.
Recall petition filed in attempt to oust Gov. Jindal
An Opelousas couple upset with Gov. Bobby Jindal’s cuts to higher education and health care have filed a petition seeking to recall the governor with the Secretary of State’s Office. No gubernatorial recall petition has resulted in a recall election. Four attempts have been made to recall Jindal. The law requires handwritten signatures, and signers must include their addresses. Full article.
Governor Jindal pushes for lifting of drilling moratorium
Gov. Bobby Jindal recently spoke to a crowd of about 360 at a Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce luncheon in the Crowne Plaza hotel. The audience was clearly receptive to Jindal’s message that the moratorium must be lifted to spare the state from an economic fallout from stalled drilling — particularly the oil-fueled economy of Lafayette. Full Article.
Gulf oyster beds could start rebounding
LA lost between 20% and 50% of its oyster beds because of the Deepwater Horizon disaster - but 0% from the oil spill. In May, LA’s Governor ordered the opening of freshwater diversions from the Mississippi River to push any oil out to sea and keep it from fouling critical marshes. The problem: Oysters can survive only in brackish water, half the salinity of seawater. Left in fresh water too long, they die. It will take about two years for the oyster beds to return to full production. Full article.
Public records bill dies in Senate
The LA Senate recently killed legislation that would have opened to the public more Governors’ Office records. Only 14 senators voted for the measure while 23 senators opposed it. Full Article.
