Jindal plans to focus on state work force
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LAFAYETTE — Gov. Bobby Jindal visited Lafayette on Monday to talk about the successes he sees in the recently completed special legislative sessions and what he wants to see done in the upcoming regular session.
Jindal said the overriding goal of his administration in the regular session will be tied to improving work force development in the state.
He said that, even though he and others have lamented the exodus of Louisiana’s young and talented to other states, nearly three-quarters of employers asked in Louisiana say they have trouble filling job openings.
Jindal said that 100,000 job vacancies exist in the state in fields varying from nursing to welding.
Jindal said key achievements in the recent session were the cutting of the state tax on business utilities and on corporate debt and the speeding up of the phasing out of the sales tax on new business equipment.
“Our tax code was the greatest gift we could give to neighboring states,” he said.
Jindal also said the Legislature also helped move the state forward by backing his plan to use $1 billion in one-time surplus money for one-time spending on projects in road, bridges, ports and coastal restoration.
He said the $530 million approved spending by the Legislature will mean full funding for major port programs, repair of bridges and help for parish roads not eligible for federal funding matches.
Jindal said that improving road maintenance and capacity will save taxpayers money on vehicle repairs and time and gas lost to traffic congestion.
Another key component of the legislative changes was dedicating money generated by transportation taxes and fees to transportation spending, he said.
“It’s just common sense,” Jindal said.
He said that the $300 million of the surplus dedicated to coastal concerns will pay for the state’s matches for federal money for projects across the coast.
“We’re actually ahead of the federal government,” Jindal said. “What we’ve said to the state and the rest of the country is we’re not waiting.”
Jindal said the overriding goal of his administration in the regular session will be tied to improving work force development in the state.
He said that, even though he and others have lamented the exodus of Louisiana’s young and talented to other states, nearly three-quarters of employers asked in Louisiana say they have trouble filling job openings.
Jindal said that 100,000 job vacancies exist in the state in fields varying from nursing to welding.
Jindal said key achievements in the recent session were the cutting of the state tax on business utilities and on corporate debt and the speeding up of the phasing out of the sales tax on new business equipment.
“Our tax code was the greatest gift we could give to neighboring states,” he said.
Jindal also said the Legislature also helped move the state forward by backing his plan to use $1 billion in one-time surplus money for one-time spending on projects in road, bridges, ports and coastal restoration.
He said the $530 million approved spending by the Legislature will mean full funding for major port programs, repair of bridges and help for parish roads not eligible for federal funding matches.
Jindal said that improving road maintenance and capacity will save taxpayers money on vehicle repairs and time and gas lost to traffic congestion.
Another key component of the legislative changes was dedicating money generated by transportation taxes and fees to transportation spending, he said.
“It’s just common sense,” Jindal said.
He said that the $300 million of the surplus dedicated to coastal concerns will pay for the state’s matches for federal money for projects across the coast.
“We’re actually ahead of the federal government,” Jindal said. “What we’ve said to the state and the rest of the country is we’re not waiting.”
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