Governor’s Sunday helicopter travels have come at taxpayers’ expense

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Jindal spoke at North Monroe Baptist Church in Ouachita Parish in July.

The church’s pastor, the Rev. Bill Dye, said Jindal’s Fourth of July weekend visit helped his congregation see that a practicing Catholic can be an outspoken evangelical.

State Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, sat with congregations for several of the governor’s trips to churches.

At one of those services, Jindal publicly recognized Walsworth and two other legislators in attendance.

The governor asked the lawmakers to stand so the congregation could thank them for their service to the state.

“So often we want your votes, but we need your prayers,” Jindal said in a video posted on YouTube.

Walsworth said he hasn’t had any complaints about the governor’s use of a state helicopter to attend the services.

“He’s working on Sunday and he’s meeting the people,” he said.

Walsworth said Jindal rarely talks about politics at a Sunday service. He said Jindal’s visits are an attempt to meet with people in what are the gathering places of rural communities.

“I personally tell people I’ve got two offices. The first is my regular legislative office and other is Walmart,” Walsworth said. “I go to the people and I think that’s what he’s trying to do.”

ON THE INTERNET:
To see videos of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s visit to New Chapel Hill Baptist Church, go to:

• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g_7cHJFq9aA
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MutccNIX7cQ
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=axF40xMpzEg
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Wt3OmdEHzg
• http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0zdl4snoIBE