Jindal vetoes $16 million in projects

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol news bureau
• Published: Jul 14, 2008 - UPDATED: 2:35 p.m.

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Gov. Bobby Jindal vetoed  $16 million  in legislative projects Monday from the state operating budget.

In the past, Jindal characterized the projects as “slush funds” and vowed to take a hard line against them.

House Bill 1, the budget bill, had $53 million in projects — also called “nongovernmental organizations,” or NGOs — before the governor’s vetoes.

The $29.9 billion budget outlines the operating expenses for the state government spending year that started July 1. The budget ensures that the charity hospitals treat patients, that the public colleges hold classes and that state workers get paid.

The governor draws up the initial spending plan and presents it to the Legislature. However, lawmakers can make changes to it.

Every year, legislators pile hundreds of projects in their districts into the budget. This year’s list includes festivals, neighborhood groups and churches. The governor’s line item veto power gives Jindal the authority to remove any project he does not want the state to fund.

Jindal took a strong stance against the projects, warning legislators in April that they would have to meet certain criteria.

He said the projects:

--Must have a statewide or substantial regional impact.

--Must have been presented or openly discussed during the legislative session.

--Must be a state agency priority.

--Must have the proper disclosure form published online prior to consideration for funding.

Legislators can overturn the governor’s veto although it is rare, especially when they are not in session.