[StBernard] Lawmaker regrets pay-raise vote, urges governor to veto

[Westley Annis]

Lawmaker regrets pay-raise vote, urges governor to veto
by Ed Anderson 
Wednesday June 25, 2008, 10:57 AM
BATON ROUGE-- One of the lawmakers who voted to double legislators' pay from
$16,800 to $37,500 says he now regrets the move and is calling on Gov. Bobby
Jindal to veto it. 

Rep. John LaBruzzo, R-Metairie, in a letter to Jindal said the Legislature
"grossly misjudged the issue of legislative pay" and how it would resonate
with constituents. 

"As a result, I am recommending that you veto Senate Bill 672 so that we can
come together with our constituents to determine a more reasonable
compensation plan for legislators," LaBruzzo said. 

Jindal has said he will not veto the bill because he does not want to
jeopardize his agenda with lawmakers in the future. Under the Constitution,
Jindal has until July 8 to veto the bill. 

Some voters, however, are taking their own action. Recall petitions have
been launched against Rep. Joe Lopinto, R-Metairie, and Rep. Franklin Foil,
R-Baton Rouge, for voting for the pay raise. 

Secretary of State Jay Dardenne's office said that dozens of packets dealing
with recalls have been requested or handed out since the vote on the pay
raises. 

It takes one-third of the registered voters in a district to force a recall
election. Backers of a petition drive have 180 days to get the signatures
needed to force an election. 

Jindal said Tuesday that he will keep a "tighter rein" on lawmakers in the
future so similar issues do not bubble up. 

Jindal and the Legislature have been the targets of public ridicule and
criticism from radio talk shows, editorial, columnists and blog sites for
passing the raise or refusing to veto it. He was greeted by protesters in
Shreveport Tuesday when he went there for a ceremonial bill signing cutting
taxes by about $300 million. 

Ed Anderson can be reached at eanderson at timespicayune.com or 225.342-5810.