It’s funny in a sick, perverted kind of way when you think about it.
Come to think of it though, that’s entirely appropriate; the Bobby Jindal administration has been nothing but seven years of sick, perverted exercises in futility and failed policies. It’s enough to make other states laugh at us—and they probably are.
Foremost among his many efforts at “reform” preached by this incoherent governor is his insistence on something he refers to as “freedom of choice” for parents of students in grades K-12. http://www.breitbart.com/big-government/2015/02/10/jindal-urges-parental-choice-limited-government-and-end-to-teacher-tenure-in-sweeping-education-policy-plan/
Speaking at the Brookings Institute in 2012, he said the U.S. does not provide equal opportunity in education. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nDCU-VlSgX0
Yet, when it comes to freedom of choice and equal opportunity for students in Louisiana’s colleges and universities, Jindal appears perfectly willing to “let them eat cake.”
Even as LSU and other universities and colleges face financial exigency in the face of another round of budget cuts, this time as much as $600 million and as more than 1,000 LSU students marched on the State Capitol on Thursday in protest, where was Jindal?
Out of state, as usual.
Damn him.
Damn his blasé attitude toward doing his job as the elected governor of Louisiana at a time when the state is in dire need of leadership.
Damn his resolve not to repeal corporate tax breaks, his administrations’ failure to properly audit severance tax payments to the oil and gas companies who have bankrolled his campaigns to the tune of about $1 million.
Following the rally Thursday, dozens of students converged on the Senate Education Committee which was meeting in the bowels of the Capitol. The five committee members, who for the most part, talked among themselves instead of listening as a witnessed testified on a bill about student records, paid the obligatory lip service in welcoming the students and then politely suggested they move up one floor to the Senate Finance Committee “because that’s where the money is,” according to one member.
Except it isn’t there. There is no money because of Jindal’s haphazard, slipshod, snow-cone stand brand of administration.
One Education Committee member even suggested that the students keep going—up “to the fourth floor.”
“Except no one’s there,” said another member, eliciting laughter at probably the most accurate statement made thus far this session.
It’s not, of course, as though Jindal is solely to blame for this fiasco. The legislature is complicit in allowing him to run roughshod over the citizens of this state on his way out the door and (he somehow still believes) to the White House.
If you don’t believe the legislators must share the blame in this, then explain how an attempt this week to finally accept Medicaid funds to help provide health care for 240,000 low-income Louisianians never got out of committee. Explain how attempts to increase the minimum wage and close the gender wage gap fail time after time but somehow legislation to allow the teaching that the earth is only 9,000 years old passes muster.
Therefore, the protest by the LSU students, one of those demonstrations inspired by social media, was the perfect opportunity for the four announced candidates for governor in this fall’s election.
It would have been if they had all showed up. Perhaps that’s why State Representative John Bel Edwards (D-Amite) and the lone Democrat among the four candidates, got such an enthusiastic response from the students crowded onto the steps in front of the Capitol.
Rep. John Bel Edwards addresses LSU students on Thursday (click on image to enlarge).
Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, the only one of the four to hold an undergraduate degree from LSU and a former LSU Student Government President was apparently so busy he could only send a representative from his office. A missed opportunity if there ever was one.
Edwards tried to downplay the significance of that. “Well, to be fair, I was already in the building,” he laughed. “I didn’t have to go far.”
But neither did Dardenne. His office is across the street from the Capitol and LSU’s right fielder could probably peg a strike to his office window from the Capitol steps.
But Public Service Commission member Scott Angelle and U.S. Sen. David Vitter also were conspicuously absent. Nor was a single member of the LSU Board of Supervisors in attendance.
Of course, it would have been a sham for Angelle to make an appearance. He is, after all, joined at the hip with Jindal. Granted, Angelle was a Kathleen Blanco holdover, but held over he was and Jindal even made him his legislative liaison. Jindal also named him as interim Lieutenant Governor when Mitch Landrieu was elected mayor of New Orleans, and then appointed him to the LSU Board of Supervisors (that’s the same board that fires LSU presidents on a whim, costs the state hundreds of thousands of dollars defending a defenseless attempt to deny access to public records, and which gives away state hospitals in a deal that had been rejected by the federal government). http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2015/03/lsu_board_jindal_resign.html
But why Vitter didn’t show is something of a mystery; there were so many attractive co-eds at the protest, after all.
Edwards told the students that he has “spent seven years fighting Jindal’s budgets. I did not vote for the budget last year and my solemn promise to you is that I will never vote for a budget that cuts funding for higher education.”
Edwards, who holds his undergraduate degree from West Point, received his law degree from LSU Law School. He told the students they are facing the potential of a 90 percent increase in tuition this fall. As expected, that was met with a chorus of boos. “No state has cut funding to higher education more than Louisiana,” he said. “I have a personal interest in seeing higher education fully funded. My daughter is a freshman at LSU.
“If you look behind you, you see a statue of Huey Long,” he said. “Say what you will about Huey Long, but at a time this state was in the throes of the Great Depression, Huey Long found money to build LSU, build roads and bridges throughout the state and to establish a great state hospital system. If he could find money to do all that during the Depression, we should be able to fund education today.”
But as Jindal prattles on about choice for students of K-12, he seems to have forgotten about the choice of post-secondary students: the choice to obtain an affordable education, the choice to remain in Louisiana and attend a tier 1 university, the choice to avoid devastating student loans that put graduates in deep financial holes even before their careers begin.
Well, the House had time to vote for a resolution suggesting two Supreme Court justices recuse themselves from the gay marriage issue. Said resolution was authored by Valerie Hodges. Hodges isn’t a lawyer, nor even a paralegal. Here’s her education background
So the lege had time for silliness like this.
http://www.nola.com/politics/index.ssf/2015/04/gay_marriage_ginsburg_recuseal.html
Agreed. They always have time for that kind of B.S. when they should be devoting their efforts to more serious matters—like funding higher ed, health care, equal pay for women, increasing the minimum wage, and campaign finance reform.
If it had been a “Happy 101st Birthday wish” to whoever, that would have been one thing, but this was just grandstanding because I’m sure the Supremes want to pay attention to a resolution “authored” by someone who took course work from here.
https://www.lightuniversity.com/SchoolsPrograms.aspx
^^^ Eek that was a god-awful sentence. 😳
Careful there, Fredster!! I’m a GOHS & BBS alumni 😊. All my coursework at LSU was heavy, though, and I’m proud to be an LSU alumnus. I would be less than honest, however, if I didn’t voice my stern belief that LSU is a bloated agency that is very top-heavy on administrators at exorbitant salaries. I also believe it does a disservice to students in offering programs like interior design that, AT BEST, warrant no more than trade school status. While I have great respect for Treasurer Kennedy, I do get frustrated when I hear of “drastic” budget cuts to higher education when I know for a fact that the institution is top-heavy with administrators.
I believe exigency is not nearly the black eye it is portrayed to be. It is the ONLY way that tenured professors in useless course offerings like interior design can be terminated. Hence, I simply don’t buy into all of the hype about higher education having been cut to the bone. Exigency was fine for Southern, so why is LSU any different?
Two years ago, interim LSU President and Chancellor William Jenkins said at the Baton Rouge Press Club (with mere months remaining before he could go back into retirement): “If LSU would take my advice, they would not break ground on a single new building.” Jenkins harped on how traditional learning was being heavily impacted by online course offerings, and he stated that LSU had way too much infrastructure to maintain in that changing environment. He critiqued LSU heavily for not being competitive in accepting online transfer credits when other universities are readily doing so. Three weeks later, LSU had him out on display for a building expansion announcement which has now been placed on indefinite hold.
Jenkins may have been a veterinarian, but I also think he was a smart college financial administrator. LSU has a big problem with stroking major donors’ egos with buildings named after them, but they all have to be maintained, heated and cooled, and LSU’s student count has barely budged since I attended 30+ years ago. That’s what I mean about having a bloated infrastructure cost element. My point is that the solution is not as simple as “let’s just keep excess infrastructure and bloated staff levels in place then figure out a way to fund the excess!”
Aw now Robert, I was just pointing out that the gentle lady had no legal background and I was wondering what her bona fides were to question two confirmed Supreme Court justices. No aspersions meant to GOHS and BBS. 🙂
Every agency in this state is bloated with top heavy administrators with exorbitant salaries. That’s the norm for Jindalnomics. However none, other than healthcare, have had to endure the year in and year out major cuts that higher education has. There’s no doubt you may find some areas left for adjustment although programs you consider immaterial may be quite valuable to others. I know a young man working as a restaurant manager while preparing to graduate in Interior Design at LSU. He already has employment in that field lined up in Baton Rouge. Maybe there is more to that curriculum than you aware of. The vast majority of professors are granted tenure because they have earned it and deserve it whether you agree with their field of study or not. If students are facing 90% tuition increases at our flagship university then “Houston, we have a problem.” I would have agreed with you for the first three, maybe four years, of major cuts but we now must face the reality that the tank is running on fumes. Distinguished faculty are leaving for more favorable climates and buildings are suffering from lack of maintenance. And this state’s solution is to ask students to massively increase their fees for a massively diminished product. This economic model simply does not work. As far as William Jenkins goes, I was saddened to see him come out of retirement just to save Jindal’s a**. On the other hand, why not take some more of that ‘bloat’ that is so rampant at LSU.
I fully concur with Bob in BR. It is an unfortunate reality that, even in times that are clearly financially hard, we read or see daily reports of waste and abuse of what’s left. As kist one example, Channel 9 had a lengthy piece on professional services contracts. Ms. Nichols offered no defense (or none was aired) for the specific contracts mentioned in the report, but simply repeated her statements on a macro level. The contracts cited were not new. Why did she not offer to at least look at them and defend them since she obviously believes contracts have been cut enough?
Not to worry, Fredster, and I’m sure you know I was just having fun with you in my reply. Actually, I am embarrassed to know that a fellow GOHS alumnus would sponsor a resolution for such an absurd request that two Supreme Court nominees recuse themselves for any vote. They must have had some “special kool aid” back at the cafeteria that she managed to find and take a few sips that I never uncovered .
As a sad commentary, I had a neighbor who was an internationally respected scientist and professor at LSU. He moved to Texas Tech a couple of years ago, in part because of funding issues. I have stayed in contact with both him and his family, and recently told him the comment on academic bankruptcy, and that it looked like he made the right decision to move when he did. He said that two of his former students who are currently teaching at LSU were also interviewing out of state this last week.
As ever your observations are spot-on. Just when we think jindal cannot do or say anything more outrageous, he performs again and outdoes himself, digging his grave ever deeper with his mouth.
Just had to share a comment on NOLA.com about jindal’s statement in Washington today that Louisiana will allow those insured under Obamacare to lose their subsidies and health insurance if the Supreme Court rules that only state exchanges are valid for subsidies:
“You can always tell who the “Christians” are, for they are known by their lack of love for anyone but themselves!”
Note to the rest of the world outside Louisiana: not everyone in Louisiana is a heartless, selfish, greedy, faux Christian. Just the pretend governor, republican legislators and a handful of their sympathizers. There really are decent, caring people here who care deeply about the wellbeing of “the least of our brothers and sisters” and are committed to the common good.
P.S. – very proud of the students and faculty who marched on the Capitol and made their views known to (mostly) uncaring legislators. Hope they keep us the heat and remember to VOTE this fall.
earthmother said: and remember to VOTE this fall
Can’t stress that enough. Know who your state rep and senator are and remember how they vote on these funding issues.
Love the choice of words towards the end of the article…”As Jindal prattles on”. I always appreciate your articles. They are an eloquent expression of the state we are in.
Tom, I sent a note asking you if was ok to post here a letter that I was forwarding to each SGA President in Louisiana Concerning the gravity of the situation. I realize, probably most than a lot that read here, what it takes to to do what u do. I don’t envy what it takes for u to even keep ur head above water. Growing up in the Civil rights era. Even though I grew up in what could be considered a privileged environment, it didn’t blind me to the plight of those that weren’t. Although most of whom I did grow up with didn’t feel the same. I can still hear my father answering me, “it’s none of our business just leave it alone.”.
As I’ve written here before it was over seven years before now I realized the state had voted for what is happening now. I all started with a commercial l’il booby filmed on the steps of EKL an his support for the system. Knowing of his previous actions at DHH to set up the dismantling to come, that was an 180 degree position turn around His words weren’t matching his actions from the past. In other words his penchant for lying was beginning to rear it’s ugly. And I do mean ugly.
I basically ended up being the lone voice from Arkansas down to Venice in comment sections and letters to the editor. I purposely used the L’il booby name for jindal just to not only piss him off but to make the article stick out in people’s minds A person’s name u forget 10 minute later but \L’i booby causes conversations at the water cooler.
I don’t sit on the side lines and I never have.
U never did take the time to get back to me and I can understand that with all u have going on. I believe in ur efforts. That’s why I contribute every month to ur effort.
This is what I took the time to be proactive to the SGA Presidents. I might not have the resources available to u but I more than match anyone with the
passion I have in my heart to make a difference
When as a teenager in the sixties we had Vietnam, Woodstock, and anti establishment views to galvanize the young generation into one voice. It was a generation believing in the cause of “us”. For a long time now this has not been the case. It has become a generation of “me” which has led us where we are today in relation to the dire situation then young are facing today concerning the future of Higher Education. A fracture unit of the young generation unable to have a voice in their own futures. It’s past time to change the playing field. The entire future of Higher Education is at stake. Apathy on the part of the students will put the final nail in the coffin of public colleges in Louisiana. Our system of universities around the state serve an important need for education throughout the rural areas around the state. Not everyone can afford to move clear across the state to attend college. Contact other student governments across the state. Have them get the students out for the rally en masse. Politicians are not moved by a couple hundred people but hey will sure notice a few thousand. This will be the very last chance the students have to protect their futures. God Bless Jerry Broussard
.
Louisiana RS 28:54 Judicial commitment. Any person of legal age may file with the court a petition which asserts his belief that a person is suffering from mental illness which contributes or causes that person to be a danger to himself or others …
Can’t Jindal be adjudicated to a psychiatric unit?
Don’t magical thinking that money will materialize without new taxes and the possibility of winning a national election indicate mental illness?
Cuts to health care surely constitute a danger to others, and that’s just the most obvious harm that man has inflicted on the citizens of Louisiana.
He needs an intervention but no one will step up.
West Point grad and LSU Law are impressive credentials. Since John Bel Edwards was the only candidate to take students seriously enough to show up, that group should return the favor by lighting up social media in support of John Bel Edwards. Vitter doesn’t have to be a shoo-in, right?
Jindal could be sidelined if our so-called elected representatives could agree to do the right thing and override his veto. The Democrats will miss a great opportunity to win the majority Legislature if they don’t field good candidates in every district and run on this destructive Republican mess!!
Great comments! The vast majority of Republicans are good people and want to correct this goofy administration. Actually, I have met Republican legislators who are intelligent, nice and reasonable. I extend my best wishes to both of them. ron thompson
Ron, you often present some of the absolute best one-liners I read anywhere! Your last two sentences are priceless!! Only problem is that you’re likely more than half serious with those sentences, and that’s scary! Anyway, keep up the great comments, irrespective of what the jest level may be!
(This comment was sent a week ago but for reasons unknown, it was never posted. We are posting it today even though it is a day after the student rally that he was advocating.)
—Tom Aswell, editor
When as a teenager in the sixties we had Vietnam, Woodstock, and anti establishment views to galvanize the young generation into one voice. It was a generation believing in the cause of “us.” For a long time now this has not been the case. It has become a generation of “me” which has led us where we are today in relation to the dire situation then young are facing today concerning the future of Higher Education. A fracture unit of the young generation unable to have a voice in their own futures. It’s past time to change the playing field. The entire future of Higher Education is at stake. Apathy on the part of the students will put the final nail in the coffin of public colleges in Louisiana. Our system of universities around the state serve an important need for education throughout the rural areas around the state. Not everyone can afford to move clear across the state to attend college. Contact other student governments across the state. Have them get the students out for the rally en masse. Politicians are not moved by a couple hundred people but hey will sure notice a few thousand.
This is the very last chance the students have to protect their futures.
God Bless
http://theadvocate.com/sports/lsu/12257191-123/sp-puts-colleges-on-negative
JBE’s comment that LSU students face a 90% increase in tuition this fall is a sign to me from my perspective inside higher ed that this is part of the “solution” being floated. Note in the S&P negative watch report the rating agency also said that allowing institutions to raise tuition and fees (I’m assuming beyond the 10% cap allowed by GRAD Act) would help their revenue forecast. Also, the facilities in the bonds – largely student facilities like housing and ULL’s new student union – represent just under 1/4 of these institutions’ revenue. Sad that these auxiliary facilities bring in more than state appropriations even now before these proposed cuts.
Click to access RatingsDirect_Analysis_1396080_Apr-28-2015_19_56%20SUMMARY.pdf
These bills are on the table this session that based also on what JBE said I think may be considered a big part of the “solution” (1) decoupling TOPS from tuition – Jindal is against it but it’s going forward (2) allowing institutions to set their own tuition and fees (3) changing the admission standards at regional universities thus allowing them to increase enrollment once again (something I’ve supported – but not like this). S&P also warned that any decreases in TOPS would negatively affect enrollment at the institutions on the watch list.
If I’m anywhere near right, this isn’t a solution because it means that once again we are counting tuition dollars as state dollars. Students who can pay, great, if not, oh well. Also, if tuition becomes a tax credit, then isn’t that adding to the structural problem with the deficit? Then higher ed will basically eat itself to survive… which is kind of what it’s been doing anyway.
The proposed “Lazy River” recreation complex at LSU seems like an obscenity during a time when the state’s university system is in such turmoil. Dedicated people whose jobs are to conduct programs needed to educate the state’s youth have been laid off and their programs eliminated or continue to be threatened by further budget cuts. To paraphrase an old saying, at this time LSU needs this recreation complex like a boar hog needs teats.
This effort seems especially egregious when LSU officials try to sell its zero-depth swimming pools, bubble fountains, water park slides and tiger paw-shaped hot tubs. The fact other SEC schools have done these kinds of things reminds me of my parent’s rhetoric – “Just because one of your friends jumps off a building doesn’t mean you have to.” Perhaps these other universities don’t operate in states where Pol Pot is governor.
The fact that many of the state’s institutions are allowed to operate on two budgets – a fat one for “capitol outlay” that favors campaign contributors and a lean operating budget that keeps universities and their programs and personnel in dire straights is itself, obscene. The school’s money should go into one pot and all the money should be used to sustain the institution’s primary objectives and not for “window dressing.”
Why cant we hold Bobby Jindal accountable for misusing LA funds. He was overseeer.