‘I’ve learned my lesson’

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 25, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: Noon

• Print
• Email
• Save
• Share

• Del.icio.us
• Digg
• Facebook
• Reddit
• 

Gov. Bobby Jindal admitted Tuesday that he blundered in allowing legislators to pass a bill that would more than double their base pay.

“I’ve learned my lesson,” he said during a news conference outside the Governor’s Mansion.

However, Jindal said he still plans to allow the pay raise to become law.

Vetoing the bill would give legislators a reason to reverse his initiatives, including changes to the state’s ethics laws, he said.

“Everybody knows it would be in my own self-interest politically to veto this bill,” he said. “I’d probably be the most popular governor in modern polling history if I did that.”

Jindal said he will be more proactive in the future.

“Going forward, we’re certainly going to keep a much tighter rein on the Legislature in future sessions,” Jindal said.

The pay raise is presenting the governor with the harshest criticism since he took office six months ago.

He has until July 8 to veto the measure. Many are suggesting that a veto is the right response for a governor who characterizes himself as a reformer.

But Jindal said he does not want to spark a battle with legislators.

“I don’t want to give the Legislature any excuse to slow down the reforms we’ve started. I don’t want to give them any excuse to throw sand in the gears,” he said.

Earlier in the day, protesters greeted Jindal in Shreveport. One protester held a sign that read “Veto and represent the people who cast their vote for you.” Another sign said “Veto Pay Raise — You Promised.”

Jindal was in north Louisiana to sign a bill that creates a $359 million tax break.