Another Governor (of Kentucky south) tackling ethics in government.

Another southern Governor, Bobby Jindal of Louisiana (jokingly referred to as Kentucky South, or is Kentucky Louisiana North) is setting the stage to tackle ethics and corruption in his home state. We wish him well, too. Here's his news release:

Dear Friends,

Educating the nation about Louisiana’s upcoming ethics reforms

I am in New York today sharing with business leaders and members of the national media that Louisiana is serious about strengthening our ethics laws and creating an environment that will help attract new businesses and help businesses and industries already here to expand.

I will tell them that our state’s residents are excited about the fresh start that is occurring in Louisiana. The nation’s perception of our state as corrupt must be replaced with the new reality that what you know is more important than who you know when doing business in Louisiana.

Changing our state’s image will not come overnight and will take dedication and hard work from everyone – from Legislators to the general public. I plan to call the Legislature into a special session to strengthen our ethics laws and send a message to the rest of the country that Louisiana has embraced a fresh start.

Helping Move our State Forward

We continue to hear from impressive people across the state that are interested in serving Louisiana by working to implement the detailed plans that I laid forth during the campaign. It is invigorating to see the passion and commitment from everyone interested in helping our state.

Last week, I appointed to my cabinet several of these highly-qualified individuals who are dedicated to moving our state forward. These people represent the excellence, the passion and the commitment that we are looking for and Louisiana needs.

Those appointed last week are:

* Tim Barfield, Secretary of the Department of Labor
* Cynthia Bridges, Secretary of the Department of Revenue
* Lane Carson, Secretary of the Department of Veterans Affairs
* Angèle Davis, Commissioner of Administration
* Jimmy LeBlanc, Secretary of the Department of Public Safety and Corrections
* Stephen Moret, Secretary of the Department of Economic Development

You can read more about these individuals below.
Governor-elect Jindal Announces Cabinet Secretaries

Working toward solutions

Transition Advisory Councils last week focused on ethics reform, transportation, health care, social services, veterans’ affairs, and workforce development. At each of these hearings, we heard about solutions that are working in parts of our state or around the nation that can be implemented statewide.

For example, during a hearing in Shreveport last week, the Ethics Transition Advisory Council heard from ethics administrators in Ohio and Georgia about campaign finance disclosure in each state and potential conflicts of interest involving elected officials and government employees. As I stated earlier, ethics reform will be the cornerstone of my administration and will send a strong message to the country that Louisiana is on the move.

We also heard from the Transportation Advisory Council about the need to invest in our roads by dedicating and spending the existing transportation taxes and fees for what they were designed to do -- improve our infrastructure, emphasize road quality and reduce traffic congestion - instead of using that money for general state expenses. Investing in our infrastructure is a key step in improving our economy. This means investing our dollars in projects such as the completion of Interstate 49 and improving our port facilities.

This week, we will continue to hold hearings around the state and I invite you to attend.

Hearings this week include:

Wednesday
Business Retention and Recruitment (Baton Rouge)
Hurricane Recovery (Lake Charles)

Thursday
Natural Resources (Lafayette)

Friday
Higher Education (Ruston)
Youth Development (Baton Rouge)

Speaking to Police Jury Association and CABL

Last week I addressed two statewide groups about our efforts to bring a fresh start to Louisiana. On Thursday, I spoke to the Policy Jury Association of Louisiana about the importance of improving transportation infrastructure throughout our state. We must have the necessary infrastructure in place if we are going to expand economic development in all 64 parishes. I look forward to working with local elected officials across Louisiana as we begin a new chapter in our state's history.

I also spoke with the Council for a Better Louisiana (CABL) about my plans to reform ethics in our state, and improve education across the board. For too long, our state has fallen behind in these areas, and now is the time for real change. You can read more about my speech to CABL below.
Governor-elect Pushes Education

Building up our community and technical colleges
Jay Leno speaks with Supriya Jindal, Governor-elect Bobby Jindal and Baton Rouge Community College Chancellor Dr. Myrtle Dorsey.


In order to increase economic development in our state, we need to further develop our workforce into one that consists of highly-trained and highly-skilled individuals who are prepared for work on day one. One way we can tackle this issue is by expanding and improving our community and technical colleges throughout the state.

In California, more than 80 percent of children continuing their education after high school start at a community or technical college, compared to less than 30 percent in Louisiana. The facts are clear – not every student will go to college and we should encourage a dual track system, as well as dual enrollment programs between high schools and technical and community colleges.
Governor-elect Bobby Jindal and his family were honored to kick off the holiday season recently by participating in the Natchitoches Christmas Parade.

To support this effort, my wife and I attended a fundraiser with Jay Leno on behalf of the Baton Rouge Community College this weekend. It was a great night of entertainment for a very worthy cause.

Sincerely,

Signed: Bobby Jindal
Bobby Jindal