Editorial

The professed surprise by legislators and Gov. Bobby Jindal at the overwhelming public outcry over a legislative pay raise demonstrates how far halls of government sometimes are from the real world.
Jindal did the right thing, vetoing the raise which more than doubled legislative pay at a time when many citizens are beginning to struggle to make ends meet.
The governor had insisted he would not veto, that he would let legislators live their own lives.
Eventually, he saw the light.
“The sideshow over massive legislative pay raises has already taken up far too much time. It’s time to get back to doing the people’s business. There is a tremendous amount of work to be done in our state…there are roads to build, jobs to create, business to open, and kids to educate,” the governor said.
“I know that some of the legislators are going to be upset that I broke my word to them to stay out of their business. But I am asking them to take out their anger on me – not on the people of Louisiana,” the governor added.
St. Landry Parish’s delegation voted against the raise. Any of the other 103 representatives or 38 senators who hold enmity for the Louisiana public as a result of the outcry and veto should feel free to move on to something else. No one forces them to hold office and take the road to poor house as a result of public service.
Better yet, perhaps they should begin now planning the pay progression for the Legislature that takes office in January 2012.
Maybe they’ll be part of that group, maybe not, but at least they won’t be accused of so obviously feathering their nests.