Latest recall petition targets governor, Jindal issues statement

• Advocate Capitol news bureau
• Published: Jun 27, 2008 - UPDATED: 3:35 p.m.

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Gov. Bobby Jindal is the target of the latest recall petition filed in the wake of legislative pay raises, the secretary of state's office reported this afternoon.

Jindal has consistently said he won't veto the more than doubling of legislators' base pay approved during the just-ended regular legislative session – angering Louisiana residents. The pay jumps from $16,800 to $37,500 effective Tuesday, July 1.

Four legislators are already subject of petitions seeking recall petitions, including House Speaker Jim Tucker of Terrytown, and Reps. Franklin Foil of Baton Rouge, Stephen Pugh of Ponchatoula and Joe Lopinto of Metairie.

In Jindal's case, it takes the signatures of one-third of the state's voters to force a recall election. Recall organizers have 180 days to collect the valid signatures.

The governor issued the following statement in response to the petition:

“The voters of our state are angry that the Legislature more than doubled their own pay, and I agree with them. It was excessive, and they should reverse it. I'm sure more voters will take extraordinary steps to show their anger over the pay raise before this is all said and done -- that's how a democracy works.”

For more information, please visit the secretary of state's Web site at http://www.sos.louisiana.gov/ or call 225-922-2880.