Gov Jindal
Jindal: Privatizing Central LA state prisons will save millions
Gov. Bobby Jindal recently defended a plan by the LA Dept of Public Safety and Corrections to sell or privatize several Central LA prisons. Jindal said he gave a mandate to all state agencies to come up with ways of operating more efficiently as a way to balance the budget, and corrections' plans fit in with that, since private companies and local sheriffs' offices have proven they can house inmates for less money than the state does on a daily basis. Full article.
La. officials seek to halt pay raises
The Jindal administration wants to cancel pay raises for some state employees as part of efforts to balance the budget. LA’s Commissioner of Administration recently asked the state Civil Service Commission to approve suspension of state agencies’ authority to award the pay increases, indicating that the move would save $55 million. Full article.
Myriant Technologies to construct sustainable specialty chemical plant
Gov. Jindal joined Myriant Technologies’ CEO to announced that Myriant Technologies will soon begin building a new 392,000-square-foot plant at the Port of Lake Providence that will be the world's largest bio-based succinic acid plant. The project will create 176 new direct and indirect jobs in the area and represent a capital investment of approximately $80 million. Full article.
Jindal defends college cuts
Hammered by criticism that he's allowing damaging cuts to college campuses, Gov. Bobby Jindal launched a rhetorical offensive against higher education, suggesting the cuts aren't as bad as they've been portrayed by college leaders. Tuition and fee hikes on students have offset a large portion of the college budget cuts so far and spending on higher education hasn't been slashed as much as the overall budget -- less than 40 percent of higher education dollars pay for classroom instruction; administrative overhead must be reduced. Full article.
Port Hudson mill selected for major Georgia-Pacific modernization & retention project
Gov. Jindal and Georgia-Pacific recently announced that Georgia-Pacific selected its mill in Port Hudson, La., as one of two locations for the company's $500 million investment in advanced, proprietary tissue-papermaking technology. The Port Hudson mill will receive a capital investment of more than $300 million, which will result in the retention of the mill's approximately 1,000 jobs, as well as create up to 400 construction-related jobs from 2010 to 2012. Full article.
EPA opposes La. berms
The EPA recently released a letter in which it opposes the “berms” Gov. Bobby Jindal wants to build as protection from oil coming ashore, and suggests stopping the work already begun. Miguel I. Flores, director of the EPA’s Water Quality Protection Div in the region that covers LA, questioned whether the 6-foot high sand bars, called berms, are blocking the oil that spewed for three months after the BP Deepwater Horizon explosion in April. Full Article.
Gov. Jindal says dredging can't wait
After inspecting thick oil-covered wetlands in Plaquemines Parish on May 19, Gov. Bobby Jindal renewed his plea for approval of an emergency dredging plan that could keep the oil out of Louisiana’s marshes. Jindal said he asked the U.S. Corps of Engineers to expedite its approval process for an emergency permit that would allow an aggressive dredging project to begin. The plan calls for dredging sand and using it to fill gaps in the barrier islands, which serve as a natural protection for the wetlands. Full Article.
Jindal pitches plan to save coast
Gov. Bobby Jindal says the state is pitching a bold plan to help save coastal wetlands and marshes from oil contamination. Officials want to begin dredging sand offshore and rebuilding natural coastal barriers along shorelines that have eroded over the years. Full Article.
LA has new Lt. Governor
The LA Legislature ratified Scott Angelle’s nomination as interim lieutenant governor. His approval came on the same day a LA House committee beat back legislation pushed by Gov. Bobby Jindal that would strip the Lt. Gov’s Office of all duties except being the first in line of succession to the governor. Full Article.
Jindal seeks Guard's help in fighting Gulf oil spill
On April 29, Gov Jindal asked the government for funding for 6,000 soldiers and airmen to help LA handle what could be a major catastrophe. The request is for up to 90 days -- the amount of time British Petroleum estimates that it will take to secure the offshore well. Full Article.
