Jindal lets more bills become law unsigned

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jul 16, 2008 - Page: 4A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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More bills have become law without Gov. Bobby Jindal’s signature, including one clearing the way for college tuition increases and another requiring more automobile insurance coverage.

Jindal said Tuesday that neither of the measures originated with him and he decided to defer to the will of the Legislature which passed both bills.

“We are still not in support of (college) tuition increases,” Jindal said.

As of Tuesday, Jindal had allowed at least 141 bills to become law without his signature — the highest count of any governor in recent history. The tuition and insurance bills are among the highest profile of the measures.

Today is the final day for action on bills approved during the 2008 regular legislative session.

Jindal’s office announced Tuesday he had signed another 22 bills, including one that gives legislators a little more input in the state construction program.

There was another veto too, bringing the number axed by Jindal to 29. That doesn’t count line-item vetoes in the budget and two other fiscal bills. The newest veto struck down legislation involving a black judgeship in the Orleans area.

During tuition debate, state Rep. Don Trahan, R-Lafayette, the lead sponsor of House Bill 734, said the governor was neutral on the issue.

Jindal said he opted to let the tuition increases go through because proponents worked within the parameters he gave them, such as no open-ended increases.

The new law allows colleges to increase tuition up to 5 percent each of the next four years. The tuition increases would go into effect for the fall semester once approved by various college governing boards.

“The state does have an obligation to provide the resources to higher education,” said Jindal, and that’s the reason he increased its funding in the new budget year.

The increased tuition could hinder people from continuing their education, Jindal said.

“We want to make sure there are no barriers,” Jindal said. “We think more people completing their education, continuing their education, the better it is for them and our state.”