Jindal plan raises questions

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Feb 21, 2009 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Legislators on Friday blocked the Jindal administration’s plans for spending the state’s first batch of federal “stimulus” money.

The rejection by the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget stalls $308 million for state road and bridge projects.

The $72 million widening of Interstate 10 from Siegen Lane to Highland Road is part of the package.

State Transportation Secretary William Ankner said he plans to regroup and talk to legislators.

Gov. Bobby Jindal was less conciliatory.

In a telephone interview after the meeting, Jindal said his message to committee members is to quickly draw up a list of projects that meet federal criteria.

The governor said that the committee should have amended the list of projects rather than rejecting it.

“We’re fine with them making changes,” he said.

During a nearly three-hour discussion, legislators complained about the Jindal administration’s proposed distribution of dollars and expressed a feeling that the governor left them out of the loop on decision making.

Lawmakers demanded answers on why parishes were excluded from the spending plan and why the administration wants to spend $1 million on a bridge at the end of a dirt road. They also wanted to know whether the governor plans to accept all of the money due to Louisiana in the “stimulus” package.

Jindal was not on hand to answer any of those questions.

Instead, Ankner fielded a flurry of complaints and criticism, an experience that one legislator characterized as being raked over the coals.

After the meeting, Ankner said the committee’s ultimate vote, which didn’t muster enough support from House members to even proceed to the polling of senators, surprised him.