Pay raise driving request for recalls
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Requests for recall petitions are up at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s Office in the wake of public furor over legislative pay raises.
“It is well above average,” Secretary of State spokesman Jacques Berry said Wednesday.
Since Monday, the office has mailed out 10 or so packages to those seeking information on how to go about recalling officials, Berry said.
“We expect them to be legislators because of the timing,” said Berry. “It’s pretty clear what is driving it.”
Monday was the day the Legislature gave final approval to legislation that would boost lawmakers’ base pay by $20,700 a year — from $16,800 to $37,500.
The bill is on its way to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s desk. He said he won’t veto it.
Angry residents have criticized the move on radio call-in shows, political blogs, and in e-mails in response to published and on-air reports. Legislators offices at home and in Baton Rouge have been bombarded with phone calls from unhappy constituents.
Some have said they plan to start petition drives to lead to recall elections for those legislators who voted for the raise.
Recall organizers must get the names of about one-third of the district’s registered voters to sign a petition within a 180-day period. The clock starts once the first signature is obtained.
There are about 42,500 people in a House district and 115,000 in a Senate district. Only registered voters’ signatures are counted on recall petitions. For instance, there are 21,000 to 32,000 voters within House districts totally in East Baton Rouge, according to the secretary of state’s elections data base.
Most recall petition drives are organized against local officials such as school board members, aldermen, chiefs of police and mayors, according to Secretary of State’s Office records.
The last successful drives led to the ouster of three aldermen in Folsum and one in Spearsville in July 2007 recall elections.
Those seeking to oust officials must first get a specified number of voters to sign a petition within a given time period.
A copy of the recall petition is submitted to the Secretary of State’s Office and the completed petition goes to the parish registrars of voters in the district from which the official is serving.
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If this bill is not vetoed by Bobby he should get his own recall, he sure let the people that voted for him down & lied to the whole state.
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Does being recalled also strip you of all future pension and retirement benefits? If not then the best thing would be to save the time and money on a recall and just wait them out till election time. By the time you get it all passed through the channels they have which the recalled control it will be election time again. Just DO NOT FORGET no INCUMBANTS, how do the politicians like to say "Zero Tolerance." Thats should be the peoples new policy with liars.
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Start that process, Larry, and I'm sure a lot of people would follow you.
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And if/when Bobby "jump ship" Jindal is recalled and booted out of office, what then? ANOTHER in an endless series of politicians to take his place? LOL, some people never learn.
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Just check the process if you start a recall on the Governor....because the LT. Governor may take over. That is all we would need. We would definitely need to move then. I hope someone from Duplessis district received a recall petition for her. She should be the first one to be ousted, she is so ARROGANT.
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Where do I sign up? What a bunch of no account, self promoting, uncaring, lacking integrity losers! How dare they treat us as if we don't understand, are incapable of understanding. Michot is the biggest joke. He's looking out for his retirement and claiming to be doing it for "the other guys". He comes from plenty money. Convince me. Turn down your salary, your raise and your retirement if you have any integrity at all.
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I wish someone would start one on Jingal. I promise I could get plenty of signatures from South Louisiana. I ran for Lieutenant Governor against Landreiu. I am no fan of Mitch at all. But just to show the nation we are tired of the lies and corruption.
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mark edward marchiafava: You are absolutely the most irritating, cynical, negative, asinine (the list goes on and on) person that has ever commented on these issues. Why is it you bash Louisiana residents and its politicians continually instead of doing something positive and constructive with your time. Please direct your anger at the world somewhere else. Grow up, and most important of all - SHUT UP!!!
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I will sign a recall petition for Bodi White in a heartbeat.
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While I normally dont support what Mark says on these comments I do agree with the name he handed Jindal. (Jump Ship). Cause that's what Jindal has done on this issue as far as I'm concerned. He has also proved this "jump ship" theory in his absence. I thought he had proved that he would do the state good with his campaign, but so far I am unimpressed. I also agree with Mark that the state has done nothing but elect the same officials that all do the same basic job: Run this state into the ground. However I am willing to vote someone new in because with every new person you take a chance on getting it right.
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Well, I guess I can delete Laurie's name from my Christmas card list this year. Without any noticeable POSITIVE accomplishments by your boy, Bobby, I am at a loss to applaud his accomplishments. Would you/could you please point out some? Wouldn't it appear rather "asinine" to take out of state citizens to task for the shortcomings of Louisianians who continue to coronate politician after politician to the throne? I AM doing something positive, it's just that I don't do it in the media for all the world to see, like your political super heroes. Angry? Me? LOL, naw. But YOU certainly seem to be. BTW, I'm here to stay, get over it.
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Doesn't the terms of service on this site prohibit personal attacks?
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Jindal's safe from a recall as long as landrieu is Lt Gov. though he is working on making his re-election a hard road to travel. I see that tucker is saying that the outcry against legislators is dying down. Au contraire, melon head, peolpe are just ripping jindal the capon at the moment for his ongoing, spinelss response to the debacle. In all the hubub, the legislature has awarded our guardians, the public service commission, a $30,000 annual raise because they work sooooo hard... What a mess!
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With failing schools, high gas prices ,and everything else going up this is not the time to give such a huge pay raise. We need to spend that money educating the kids ,but Jindal is not vetoing this raise, because this is a case of you look out for me and I'll look out for you. The usual Louisiana politics.
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Charletta, and who do you think is truly responsible for "business as usual?"
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Trust me....recalls are never the answer. Here in California we recalled a spineless Democrat (Gray Davis) and replaced him with a Republican who had no government experience - and who has since helped spend us even deeper into debt by pandering to drivers who were overspending - he cut the $300.00 "car tax". Now our roads are in even worse shape, our state is further in debt than ever, and the Last Action Hero seems kind of tired of his new kind of celebrity. Instead of a recall, why don't some of you whiners (like M.E.M.) organize a large and well-covered demonstration on the capitol steps? Trust me, your legislators and the Republican party fear bad publicity far more than they fear the prospect of a recall.
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I hope this proves once and for all that politicians NEVER keep their promises. "We can change, we must change, we will change". The only thing thats changing is their salaries. Get paid more and get less done.
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I am also one of those that are disgusted at these self voted pay raises. I was shocked to know that Gov Jindal is not planning to veto it. That would be the simple thing to do. He would have the majority of LA voters on his side for sure.
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Former Republican, yea, let's take the same old, wornout, futile approach to achieving real change. It's time for a different approach.
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So these fat cats get to vote themselves a big raise tied into a hefty pension increase,will they be enjoying this pension for the rest of their life after only one term of dis-service to the state ?I'm hoping this has woken up enough Louisianians from their apethetic nap,P O'd them enough to actually stop stammering and do somthing.Comment board like this are fine,but a march on the capitol on the 5 o'clock news would be better.Why can't we take a lesson from the NAACP,organize bus groups from all over the state for a rally on the steps of the capitol.And remember,these "folks" have other jobs,if we really want to show them how we feel,let's refuse to support their other businesses.
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To: Mark I know who's responsible that's why this state is in the situation it's in now, because so many people are more concern about putting money in their pocket instead up trying to help the people who voted them in, but of course you wouldn't understand you're probably one of them.
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Recalls? Let's not blow our political loads, folks. We can always vote them out in the next election. Keep in mind, the state has to pay for recall elections.
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DH , Name the date: I'LL BE THERE
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Mis-management and blind trust have been two of the biggest cancers in La politics.As a former resident I have nothing but respect for many people there,how is it someone can love a state so much,especially with all the BS you have to put up with to live there ? Maybe there's still somthing there worth saving,worth fighting for.
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People on the NOLA site are apparently planning a rally at the State capitol at noon on June 23rd to protest the legislative pay raise. I think I will show up and see what happens.
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Actually, this site www.legewatch.com has information about the rally on June 23rd.
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Maybe we could take back some of those parking spaces we paid for....................................
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Can we sign the petition for a legislator not in our district? (Like Duplessis). I suppose Jindal doesn't care about any of us average class people who may have to send our kids to public schools, being he can afford to send his kid to the most expensive school in Baton Rouge, and have security surround him to go to the kids school play. I don't want my tax dollars paying for security to protect him to go to a school play.........
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Let's start the recall now!! Why wait and let them enjoy the fruits. Remember once they start receiving this pay raise it also increases their retirement. They never have to vote for a pay raise again because, snakes that they are, they rigged it where they will forever get raises without having to vote on it. Since Jindal, the loser that he is, lets this pass, can this pay raise be repealed? The recall's need to start with Duplessis and Tucker. Does anyone have one for Lamber of Ascension Parish? I'm ready to sign.
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I could not believe that a politican would have the gall to lie to their constituents. What is this world coming too? My trust in politicians is not broken!
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If the rally comes to pass, that would be a good time to start the recall petitions. Remember, there is a time limit and the clock begins when the first petition is signed for each politican. You can only sign a petition for somebody in your district. Your signature is not of value if you are not registered to vote. Please only sign a petition one time and sign the same name that you used when you registered to vote. The register of voters will check the list before the petition is certified.
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MARCHIAFAVA, YOU KNOW SO MUCH....GIVE US YOUR SOLUTION. I FOR ONE WOULD LOVE TO HERE IT BECAUSE GRIPING AND COMMENTING ON THIS PAGE AREN'T GOING TO GET US ANYWHERE. WHAT YOU GOT EINSTEIN?
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I have always felt that I was one of those young people that state leaders wanted to remain in Louisiana. I am 20 years old and I love Louisiana. This state means everything to me. But I have promised myself that if this bill is not vetoed, I will seek employment outside of Louisiana once I graduate and not return. As a resident I can no longer find myself wading in the ditch bad political decisions. Though I have so much history with this state, I have accepted the fact that I will be the last generation of my family to live in Louisiana.
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I think politicians should be held accountable for their shortcomings. If I lied under oath, that would be called perjury. If Bobby - incorporated lies it is called "Good Ole Louisiana Politics". Does anyone out there know of just one honest politician, if so please name her or him because I have something for them.
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Ronald, congratulations !!! You are one of the few who even begin to comprehend the true problems. Yes, there ARE two sets of laws in the Banana Republic of Louisiana, Bobby "jump ship" Jindal, presiding. It's called the "just-us" system for them, the "justice" system for you and I.
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how do we go about signing up for recall? And does Bobby realize this is going on????
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Why are we doing something now about politicians lying when its been done for years, both in local and national elected politics? Seems very selective to me and hypocritical.
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"Why are we doing something now about politicians lying when its been done for years, both in local and national elected politics? Seems very selective to me and hypocritical." It sounds like you probably have a personal interest in the legislature and the raise. It is by no means selective or hypocritical, promises were made and broken, the legislature has acted against public opinion, and I could go on. The public is overdue to wake up and express their opinion.
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Bobby Jindal is trying to have it both ways. He does not want to upset the legislature by vetoing the pay raise and he does not want to have it said that he signed the legislation , either. So he is conviently saying he is against it yet, allowing it to become law. Never in his wildest dreams did he ever imagine the voters would catch on. Of course, Bobby Jindal is just as responsible for this mess as the legislature is. Bobby Jindal is not a savior who will bring LA into the 21st century. He is just a man who calculates what he will do based on what is expedient for him to do to further his political career. For those people who are saying that "Bobby" is not the blame, you are once again playing right into his hands.. Everything from changing his name to an "all American" name to changing his religion from Hindu to Catholic is a well-thought out, calculated plan to further the political career of Bobby Jindal. This will not be the only campaign promise he will break. He said what he needed to say to get elected. The best thing we can do now is to have a very long memory as far as both the legislators and the governor are concerned and come next election day, "Throw the Rascals Out!"
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I do not have a personal interest in this matter. I think it is very hypocritical that we are selectively outraged at this and not the lies that we are constantly feed on a local, state and national level. If we acted every time a lie or misdeed occurred perhaps there would be less shenanigans. But that is naive and this is politics.
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Louisiana is the laughing stock of the nation. Everybody knows about this--and they are laughing at us--the voters, too. Remember, we put these jerks into office!! They are thieves, and need to be recalled alright--to jail!!! Beginning with Ann "YESSSSS" Duplessis!!! Such arrogance should not go unrewarded--give her 20 years to think about it!!!
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We do have a voice, if we put the locations where to sign, we could get enough signatures
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This is not the only bill that Jindal has not signed and is just letting become law by time, as I recall it becomes law in 10 days when in session and 20 days when not in session. I can not understand his logic; does he think that if he doesn’t sign a bill he will not be held accountable for it? Either veto the bills or sign them, that’s your job!
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According to New Orleans City Business, Legislators aren't the only ones set for big raises this year: In the state budget nearing final passage, Jindal's Economic Development Secretary Stephen Moret will make $320,000 a year, up from the $245,755 salary paid to his predecessor. A nearly $27,000 raise for the governor's homeland security chief will boost his salary to $165,000, and a $60,000 raise will increase the assistant secretary for the Office of Public Health's salary to $180,000. In May, lawmakers agreed to give Louisiana Superintendent of Education Paul Pastorek a new contract with a $56,000 boost in pay. The $355,611 package makes Pastorek the highest paid public schools chief in the South. And the people of Louisiana won't get a measly tax-break until 2010. What about our firemen, policemen...........Politics as usual here in Louisiana. "Freedom Isn't Free" Please Support the Troops! AnySoldier.com AnyMarine.com AnySailor.com AnyAirman.com
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I've been thinking about my representative, Page Cortez. If I understand correctly, he and others are donating their pay raise to charity or scholarships. Are they using their names as the donors or are the taxpayer's names being used to identify the donors? It's our money! Are they getting tax-breaks or tax-deductions for this donation? How am I to know if Rep. Page Cortez will continue giving his raise to charity or will he give for a few months and then start taking the raise? I wasn't asked if I wanted my tax money to go this particular charity. If I would have been, I would have told him, "donate your own money - don’t donate mine!" If he thought the pay raise was wrong and voted against it then he shouldn't have taken it.
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Check out ReCall Bobby Jindal on YouTube: http://youtube.com/watch?v=lv0HNQRIqsA
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Is Senator John McCain talking about Obama or Gov. Bobby Jindal.......... http://jindalwatch.blogspot.com/
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Protest Rally on July 7th. in Baton Rouge....... http://www.bayoubuzz.com/News/Louisiana/Politics/Louisiana_Legislative_Pay_Raise_Jindal_and_Rally__6644.asp
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I sent this follow-up email to Rep. Cortez: Rep.Cortez, As per your recent phone conversation with my husband, you stated that you are donating your pay raise to charity. If we understood you correctly, you are not using your name as the donor, you will not receive any tax break and you will not use this amount as a tax deduction. Personally, we would have preferred you to decline the pay raise. Mr. C. B. Forgotston, a recent guest on the Moon Griffon Show, brought up the fact that any legislator could, at anytime, sign an affidavit and change their intentions from donating their pay raise to charity and revert it back to their income and his or her constituents would never know it. We, along with many of our friends that are in your district, would really appreciate you making it public, throughout your term, that you will not change or re-route your pay raise from a donation back to your salary. What the legislators did as a whole, by passing this pay raise and not listening to the voice of the people, has cast doubt on all of our elected officials Here are some comments we hear from our friends, "It was all planned, it was a "fix". "They were all in it together". It's evident when you see the words "Recall Them All", "Throw Them All Out of Office" in the articles and blogs that you read on the internet, that trust in our elected officials has dwindled to nothing . There are no words to describe the disappointment we have in our Legislature as a whole and in Gov. Bobby Jindal.
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I don't care what Jindal said while campaigning....the man was and still is the right choice for the Gov of this state. When are the PEOPLE of this state going to stand up and take action. Why are we so eager and consistantly willing to wait on a Government Official to take care of what we do or don't like. This pay raise is a matter for the people of this state. Everyone should have been down at the capital bombarding and protesting. I also don't care how long it takes for "RECALL", it NEEDS to be done by us the people to show these and future legislators that we don't need the Governor to make our decisions for us. We will file recalls for everyone of them that will be receiving this money!
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Jindal is trying to change the subject. TO BOBBY: WE DON'T CARE WHAT ELSE YOU DID OR WILL DO, WE WANT YOU TO VETO!! EVERYONE CALL HIS OFFICE AND KEEP EMAILING HIM. LET HIM KNOW WE WILL NEVER FORGET! I am also looking for recall petitions for BODI WHITE and DALE ERDEY. If anyone knows please post info. Thanks to the news media for keeping us informed and KEEPUP THE GOOD WORK. We have been told the facts,now it is up to us to "THROW THE BUMS and BUMETTES OUT!" THIS IS THE WORST ARROGANT THING I HAVE EVER SEEN IN MY ENTIRE LIFE! EDWIN EDWARDS was a real politician and he would have at least made a back room deal with the legislators to save his FACE AND CAREER! BOBBY GET OFF YOUR DUFF AND VETO THIS BILL AND TELL THEM THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN AND HE CAN NOT LET THEM DOWN! IF he does NOT do this take back your little speech "We can change, we must change, we will change". THIS WILL NOT APPLY ANYMORE. AS IT WILL BE "We CAN NOT CHANGE, WE MUST NOT CHANGE, WE WILL NOT CHANGE". YOU NEED SOME NEW SPEECH WRITER BOBBY!
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HOW COME YoU HAVE TO HAVE SOO MANY RECALL SIGNATURES BUT A PERSON CAN WIN AN ELECTION WITH ONLY ABOuT 20% of the votes. I have never understood this. I think some "honest" legislator should enter a bill next year to make it easier to recall. OH, I KNOW THAT WiLL BE HARD ESPECIALLY TO FIND AN HONEST LEGISLATOR! OH WELL I CAN DREAM. "We can change, we must change, we will change". -quote by Jindal.
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