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Jindal Vetoes Legislative Pay Increase

Submitted by Patrick Ruffini on Mon, 06/30/2008 - 17:19
in

The legislative pay increase issue that had consumed Bobby Jindal's governorship these last few weeks, overshadowing his historic tax cuts and school choice initiatives and leading to not inconsiderable conservative criticism is about to be defused. Jindal has vetoed the controversial measure doubling legislative pay.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal has vetoed a bill that would have doubled salaries for the state's lawmakers.

The Republican had previously said he would not veto the bill even though he didn't agree with the raise. The veto came after several election recall petitions were filed against Jindal and other state legislators.

The pay raise has been sharply criticized by bloggers and talk-radio hosts.

Good call.

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Smart Move

Submitted by AeroSpear on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 09:40.

While it looks bad on its surface, I agree that his legislature should get a pay raise.   However, I think it should be gradual.  If Jindal is able to turn his state government around, the people of Louisiana will reward the government by not getting outraged at a slight increase over time.  If I were living there, I wouldn't mind seeing a ~12% pay increase each year for the next 4 years as long as they would keep passing legislation that Jindal is pushing.

The doubling of salary was too big a push all at once for a governing body that hasn't really been know to stand for ethics.  I do think that a more attractive salary is what brings talent to the position.  But that has to be balanced with the calling of public service.  It's a fine tightrope to walk, that's for sure.

Maybe the answer is to not allow consecutive terms.  Impose no new term limits but require a one term gap before the next time a politician can serve.

So much for your boy wonder ..

Submitted by Calvin Jones an... on Tue, 07/01/2008 - 16:24.

it takes a recall effort to make him see the light!!  Lets see what happens if McCain chooses him as his VP choice(If he doesn't choose Mittens first!!).