forgotston.com

Apparently, in order to get a high-paying, appointed, job in the LA Department of Economic Development, one must be ethically-challenged.   See story here.

Jason El-Koubi makes almost $120,000 per year and was appointed by Bobby Jindal.

Here’s what Bobby said when he was running for governor:

Ensure cabinet secretaries, all appointed officials, and staff are unquestionably ethical, exceptionally talented, and committed to the responsibility of public service.
I will have a high standard for performance and a zero-tolerance for ethical lapses by my administrative appointments. Source: Bobby Jindal’s Campaign Promises link to the left.

“Campaign Bobby” said one thing, but Governor Bobby does the opposite.

Perhaps Bobby could save some time (since the fine was waived) and simply issue a blanket pardon to all of his appointees.

C.B.

1 CB 7:02 am

What he said

When running for governor in 2007 Bobby Jindal made the following statements about funding for higher education:

If we are to utilize the strengths of Louisiana’s educational institutions to expand our economy, we must adequately fund higher education. Louisiana’s commitment to funding our higher education institutions has finally begun to increase recently after years of neglect, a trend that must continue.

What he did

The Jindal administration reduced state spending to the state’s public colleges and universities by $219 million. However, higher education also got an infusion of $219 million in “stimulus” dollars, lessening what could have amounted to more than $400 million in cuts. The (Baton Rouge) Advocate March 14, 2009.

To quote Bobby Jindal: “It’s time to match action to our rhetoric.”

It’s time to hold Bobby accountable.

C.B.

1 CB 7:19 am

As a native of North Louisiana, I’m very happy that it now appears (nothing in writing) that over a thousand jobs (Or will it be that many?) will be saved at the Pilgrim’s Pride chicken processing plant in Farmerville. Saving the plant will also mean countless other jobs and businesses for those who grow chickens that are processed at the plant.

I only wish those responsible in this state had tried as hard to save the other thousands of jobs lost in North Louisiana in the last year. But I digress.

There are a few questions about the deal that I’ve not seen answered. Perhaps they have been, but I haven’t seen them.

Transparency needed

If the deal has in fact been done, then there is no legal or other reason to hide the details of this transaction from the taxpayers of Louisiana. It’s what Bobby Jindal refers to (but does not practice) as “transparency.”

1. Specifically, what taxpayers funded fund from which is the state’s $40 Million $50 Million going to be withdrawn?

2. Does the expenditure meet the requirements of the law setting up the fund?

The law establishing the “Mega Fund” does not allow this expenditure.  The “Rapid Response Fund” allows such expenditures, but it does not require any oversight by the lege.

3. What performance factors/accountability will be included in the contract with the new owners?

4. Will the new owners be required to employ a specific number of employees at certain salaries for a certain period of time?

History has shown that Louisiana either: a) doesn’t include performance requirements when it gives our money away or b) it fails to monitor them when they do include them.

5. Specifically, who will be responsible for seeing that the terms of the contract are followed? Our ethically-challenged Secretary of Economic Development Stephen Moret? Governor Teepell? Who?

Some individual must be held accountable to the taxpayers of Louisiana.

We need to know the answers to the questions BEFORE any money is spent. It’s OUR money.

C.B.

1 CB 7:22 am