Jindal stops in Jeanerette

Health care, economic growth and education were among the many concerns Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal addressed before a group of more than 275 constituents during a town hall meeting Monday.

Jindal made a stop in Jeanerette at the Ward Eight Recreation as part of a small town tour across Louisiana to update constituents on the legislative session and address their personal concerns.

Jindal said it is time to change the perception of Louisiana.

“We’ve been on the bottom of the list long enough. We’ve all heard stories and jokes about Louisiana, but they aren’t funny anymore,” said Jindal

“Our greatest export in Louisiana are  our sons and daughters. We need to create a way for them to come home to Louisiana.”

Jindal said the steps taken by legislators this session to crack down on corruption will attract new jobs to the state. The disclosure of income of elected officials, a law prohibiting officials from conducting any business with the state,  a stricter law requirement placed  on lobbyist to disclose  spending practices and the decision to post all government spending on line has already brought Louisiana to the top.

Over $800 million was dedicated to fix roads and coastal restoration this session.

Jindal applauded legislators for making some of the largest cuts on taxes in the state’s history. Taxes on debt, utilities and equipment for businesses were eliminated.

“New business was  not investing in our state, it was more expensive. It was time to get rid of those taxes,” he said.

Jindal  believes the newly created Work Force Development commission will help to provide the training needed to fill available jobs.  With 100,000 jobs left unfilled, Jindal said the state is not doing a good enough job in training those students who are not going to college.

“We have to make sure every student gets a good education,” he said.

Jindal said Louisiana loses 50 percent of its new teachers in their first five years after they enter the profession.

“This is not about pay, it is about the environment in our class. We are the second worst in the country when it comes to discipline,” he said.

Jeanerette resident Michael McGowen was concerned over the lack of economic growth in rural communities such as Jeanerette.

McGowen said Jeanerette has suffered with the closing of the sugar mill, Fruit of the Loom  plant and other industries.

We’re trying to develop Eagle Point Park as a means of stimulating the economy here,” said McGowen. ‘”Can we look for any funding to help  with this project?”

Jindal said the state has dedicated $10 million a year to the Atchafalaya Basin Master Plan program which would put the Eagle Point project eligible for funding.

 Eagle Point was also included in the federal Water Resource Development Act bill  allowing for  some additional funding. Congress has authorized the funds but has not yet made any appropriations, he said..

In addition, Jindal said possible funding could come from money allocated for coastal restoration projects.

“This is a good example of a project that is good for the environment and economic growth,” he said.

As a means of promoting  economic development, the governor said he is all for fair trade, but it has to be on a level playing field.

“We’re losing too many businesses to other countries. Our businesses can only compete if others follow the same rules as we do,” said Jindal. “We need to wake up as a country.”

Peggy Green, a New Iberia resident, wanted to know if  officials had any plans to promote cancer research within the state.

“Louisiana has so many people dying of the disease,” she said.

After meeting with the National Cancer Institute, Jindal said it is possible for Louisiana to secure a  center if all medical schools in the state worked together. A certain amount of research activity is required before a center is located in a state.

Jindal said  $100 million was set aside to fund research, but it is not near the amount set aside  by other cities such as  Birmingham, AL with $200 million allocated and  Houston, Texas, with a $400 million allocation.

“We need tax incentives to encourage research here. We have to make this a priority so we do not lose our next generation of researchers,” he said.

Another constituent voiced concerns over the lack of mental health care clinics available in the state.

Jindal said $89 million was set aside this year for new mental health care facilities in the state, but improvements would be done in phases with the southeast section of the state targeted in the first phase.

State Senator Troy Hebert, D-Jeanerette, said Jindal’s visit to Jeanerette shows that Louisiana has a governor that truly cares about small towns across Louisiana.

“He is trying to change the perception of Louisiana and is sending a strong message that Louisiana is one of the best places in the world,” Hebert said.

State Rep. Simone Champagne, D-Jeanerette, said Jeanerette was pleased to host the governor’s small town meeting.

“The turnout was really good and we had a lot of people who voiced their concerns over a number of different issues,” she said.