Raise spurs recall bids

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 26, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Anger over legislative pay raise votes prompted the start of three more recall petitions Wednesday, including one against Baton Rouge state Rep. Franklin Foil.

House Speaker Jim Tucker of Terrytown and state Rep. Steve Pugh of Ponchatoula are the other two targets of recall filings received by the Secretary of State’s Office.

The latest filings bring to four the number of lawmakers who voted to more than double their base pay for which recall election petition drives are starting. The other target is state Rep. Joe Lopinto of Metairie.

All the recall targets are Republicans from conservative districts. Foil, Pugh and Lopinto are first-term lawmakers.

Foil declined five interview requests on Wednesday.

Pugh said he “regrets it” but will make his case to district voters that “We have done a lot of good things for the betterment of Louisiana.”

In a statement, Tucker said he will “continue to  communicate with my constituents on all issues.”

And Tucker had a message for Jindal. The governor has said repeatedly that he is ignoring pleas to veto the pay measure fearing the Legislature would retaliate if he did.

“I will respect whatever Gov. Jindal elects to do … and remain committed to working with him to bring about the positive changes that all citizens of Louisiana deserve,” Tucker wrote.

The Secretary of State’s Office reported Wednesday that it has had more than 30 requests for recall information packets since legislators approved a $20,700 increase in their base pay.

The pay goes up to $37,500 a year effective Tuesday and will go up annually automatically with the consumer price index. Lawmakers are now paid $16,800.

Recall organizers have 180 days to gather the signatures of a third of voters in the legislative districts. The clock started with the filing with the secretary of state.

“I started this because of the fact that Franklin Foil voted ‘yes’ for this outrageous pay raise. I just think it’s terrible,” said Daniel R. Brown, a 73-year-old retiree heading the effort against Foil.