Live chat with T-P reporter Robert Scott

(07/01/2008)

11:14

Ronette King, T-P:

Post your comments now. Robert Scott will be available at noon to answer your questions.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 11:14 Ronette King, T-P

11:15

Robert Scott:

Check

Tuesday July 1, 2008 11:15 Robert Scott

11:16

Dwayne Fatherree NOLA.com:

Hi Robert. Looks like we are ready.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 11:16 Dwayne Fatherree NOLA.com

11:17

[Comment From Scruffy the PenguinScruffy the Penguin: ]

In your time in Baton Rouge, have you ever seen a reaction like this to legislation?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 11:17 Scruffy the Penguin

11:38

Robert Scott:

Hello to all, we'll begin the chat close to noon. But please post comments or questions before then if you like. I'm going to encourage comments as well as questions today. We're already getting comments, and we'll begin posting the shortly.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 11:38 Robert Scott

11:59

[Comment From AstridAstrid: ]

Do you think there will ever be live cameras on our legislators when they are in session and especially on voting days.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 11:59 Astrid

12:00

Robert Scott:

All committee meetings and floor action are available live on the Internet

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:00 Robert Scott

12:00

Robert Scott:

The site legis.state.la.us is where to go

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:00 Robert Scott

12:01

Robert Scott:

The site also has archives of meetings, you can go back and look at the floor debate on the pay raise bill, for example

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:01 Robert Scott

12:01

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

What do you think changed Jindal's mind? The recall petition, pressure from his inner circle, or the national scrutiny & the browbeating he got on CNN?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:01 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:02

Robert Scott:

Probably all of the above and more. It was the public outcry across the board, mainly, even among his base

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:02 Robert Scott

12:03

Robert Scott:

Republicans constituents in particular were angered by the pay raise

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:03 Robert Scott

12:04

Robert Scott:

This flap really tore up the GOP; look at the recalls, all against Republicans

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:04 Robert Scott

12:04

[Comment From what the heckwhat the heck: ]

I am traveling out of the country, turned on CNN last nght and bobby jindal was on a show called "Beck" or something like that, giving commentary about the presidential election. i was shocked in the midst of public uproar in his home state he's still trying to boost his national image...do you think that is distracting him from his duties here?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:04 what the heck

12:05

Robert Scott:

Jindal's engaging on three fronts, the Louisiana public, the lege and the national scene. He's learning that the first of those needs to be his main priority

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:05 Robert Scott

12:05

[Comment From StephanieStephanie: ]

Was Jindal's initial support for the pay raise a direct quid pro quo for his voucher bill?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:05 Stephanie

12:05

[Comment From Evangeline LambertEvangeline Lambert: ]

I have heard te comment "he lied to us". Meaning the "lawmakers". He promised not to interfer. He promised the voters first "no pay raises". I was losing faith in my governor. Now he has restored it.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:05 Evangeline Lambert

12:06

Robert Scott:

Jindal wanted the voucher bill, and was protective of it in the session. It's an important check point on his conservative agenda. He probably traded a lot of things for it

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:06 Robert Scott

12:07

Robert Scott:

The public used the "lie" word because of his campaing pledge to prevent this kind of pay raise; now Jindcal has to deal with lawmakers using the word because of gov's promise not to interfere with the pay raise bill

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:07 Robert Scott

12:08

[Comment From BESBES: ]

In your opinion, should the Governor ask for resignations from some of his advisors?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:08 BES

12:09

Robert Scott:

The next chapter of this will focus on his team, and whether there should be a scapegoat, or whether there needs to be a more mature and experienced personality helping lead the gov's efforts

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:09 Robert Scott

12:10

Robert Scott:

Essentially, though, this was Jindal's bungle. His chief of staff saw it coming and tried to head it off, but he may have handled it the wrong way too late

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:10 Robert Scott

12:11

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

Do you think partisanship was a factor in the recall drives? To what doegree do you think this flap has been driven by Democrats looking for leverage against state Republicans?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:11 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:11

Robert Scott:

I think there is a partisan element here, but it's really a matter of Republicans and Republican districts tending to be more vocal and active in their outrage

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:11 Robert Scott

12:12

Robert Scott:

In most of the districts where recall petitions have been filed against House members, the districts are relatively safe Republican seats

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:12 Robert Scott

12:12

Robert Scott:

By the way, "Ray Brandt" please tell us something positive about the care market.....

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:12 Robert Scott

12:13

[Comment From StephanieStephanie: ]

Any word on what John McCain thinks of all this?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:13 Stephanie

12:13

Robert Scott:

I've noticed a dropoff in Jindal's name appearing on the list of VP contenders; See the story in today's TP about the vp prospects

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:13 Robert Scott

12:14

[Comment From AstridAstrid: ]

Do you think the people in Duplessis' district will recall her there seems to be no action there.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:14 Astrid

12:15

Robert Scott:

I'm glad you asked. I was going to put this question out to our chat room: anyone out there, generally in the eastern New Orleans area of her district, have any insight on how voters are reacting to her? And whether a recall is being chatted up?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:15 Robert Scott

12:15

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

Yes, Duplessis seems to have escaped unharmed, in spite of her conduct and remarks throughout

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:15 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:15

[Comment From MetairieMetairie: ]

Lopinto told someone that the reason they came up with the original 3x salary raise is because Jindal refused to participate in any discussions about what the raise amount should be. Any opinions on this?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:15 Metairie

12:16

Robert Scott:

This is the fundamental problem for Jindal .... as he admitted yesterday, he told the lawmakers he would let them handle their own affairs on a pay raise, and of course he underestimated the public backlash. Then he had to go back on his word to the lege

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:16 Robert Scott

12:17

Robert Scott:

From the lawmakers' perspecitve, the issue here is not that Jindal opposed a pay raise, it's that Jindal let them carry on with the raise and vote for it

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:17 Robert Scott

12:18

Robert Scott:

That puts the lawmakers in the worst possible situation -- nothing but grief and negative results. Jindal is certainly aware of this, and indicates that he regrets creating this situation

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:18 Robert Scott

12:19

[Comment From MetairieMetairie: ]

They still should have come up with a more reasonable amount, like 10-15%

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:19 Metairie

12:20

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

I bet the storm will pass for the lege , though, whereas only time will tell how badly this has wounded Jindal's larger prospects

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:20 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:20

[Comment From AstridAstrid: ]

do you think he really regrets or did he plan this to show the people who the legislators really are.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:20 Astrid

12:21

Robert Scott:

Now that, Astrid, is one of the theories that had been running around here -- that Jindal's plot all along, with the pay raise and everything else, was to villify the lege, since he knew the public would side with him on issues against the "bad boys" - their public image, deserved or not

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:21 Robert Scott

12:22

Robert Scott:

If that was the plot on pay raise, it didn't work very well

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:22 Robert Scott

12:22

[Comment From StephanieStephanie: ]

Do you think Jindal used his line-item veto to get back at specific legislators? The list included a lot of New Orleans items.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:22 Stephanie

12:23

Robert Scott:

We saw yesterday in the spending bill (to finish out the current fiscal year) and will see again in the spending bill for next fiscal year (which starts today) a lot of line-item vetoes

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:23 Robert Scott

12:24

Robert Scott:

Many of those vetoes will go down on principle -- Jindal laid out certain criteria for how he would cut non-profits at the trough, for example

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:24 Robert Scott

12:24

Robert Scott:

Lawmakers are bound to take in personally, whether intended so or not

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:24 Robert Scott

12:25

Robert Scott:

I'm expecting record line item vetoes, in terms of total dollars, from Jindal

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:25 Robert Scott

12:25

[Comment From DurelDurel: ]

I think what Ms Duplessis did shows how greedy the legislaters are

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:25 Durel

12:25

[Comment From WesWes: ]

I reside in Duplessis' district, and I believe that the voters from Senate District 2 are much more worried about trying to return home then what's going on with pay raises in the legislature. The pay raises do not have any positive or negative effects on the immediate recovery process for N.O.E. residents, so it hasn't registered too high on the scale. That being said, I expect that Duplessis won't win anymore elections because of this.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:25 Wes

12:26

Robert Scott:

Wes, thanks for that comment .... any others from east N.O.?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:26 Robert Scott

12:26

[Comment From DurelDurel: ]

Did any legislaters in North La. got recalled?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:26 Durel

12:27

Robert Scott:

Actually, no one has been recalled -- there have been papers filed to start recall campaigns. The campaign would need 1/3 of voters in a district, within 6 months

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:27 Robert Scott

12:27

[Comment From MetairieMetairie: ]

Where is Mitch Landrieu in all this?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:27 Metairie

12:28

Robert Scott:

He hasn't wieghed in, altho he has been invited to. We regularly get press releases from his office about his activities with tourism, etc

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:28 Robert Scott

12:28

[Comment From gavingavin: ]

I believe Jinal is a puppet from this point on.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:28 gavin

12:29

Robert Scott:

Gavin, can you tell me, whose puppet?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:29 Robert Scott

12:29

[Comment From AstridAstrid: ]

Robert, you beat me to that question

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:29 Astrid

12:29

[Comment From DonaldDonald: ]

Not John Macain

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:29 Donald

12:31

Robert Scott:

Back to the line item veto issue for a moment.... Jindal may be trying to show his mojo with a lot of cuts in the budget bill. That might succeed with the public. We'll see. But he also runs the risk of looking like he and his office wasn't participating much in the crafting of the budget bill if, in the end, he had to cut a lot out of it

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:31 Robert Scott

12:31

[Comment From MetairieMetairie: ]

Thanks for the insight today Scott.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:31 Metairie

12:31

[Comment From gavingavin: ]

Everytime the public disagrees with him, someone will pull the recall card.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:31 gavin

12:32

Robert Scott:

The recall card, that would grow old fast.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:32 Robert Scott

12:32

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

Yes, this has been fascinating

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:32 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:32

[Comment From gavingavin: ]

I would not have had a problem with the veto three weeks ago. does he really believe this will make people forget what he really wanted to do?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:32 gavin

12:33

Robert Scott:

He'll be in repair mode for a good while ... if he makes good on the next set of promises and reforms, he could get back his base, which he needs to focus on

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:33 Robert Scott

12:33

[Comment From ReneeRenee: ]

How does Jindal handle any retribution he may experience from legislators? Call them out and hope the public sides with him?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:33 Renee

12:34

Robert Scott:

We've seen strong support for Jindal from the lege early in the year, then this falling otu with them. He's gonna write a new set of rules now

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:34 Robert Scott

12:35

[Comment From WesWes: ]

My concern is how quickly everybody has forgiven Jindal. Why is nobody talking about the HUGE pay raises that his staff members have received that we will be paying for? Isn't that just as bad as the legislators pay raises?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:35 Wes

12:35

Robert Scott:

What do you folks think... has everybody forgiven Jindal?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:35 Robert Scott

12:36

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

The national press has been kicking the heck out of him, that's for sure

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:36 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:36

[Comment From AstridAstrid: ]

What is your opinion as to why he is losing people on the ethics committee

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:36 Astrid

12:37

Robert Scott:

Ten of the 11 Ethics Board members have left .... the main reason is objection to the new role the board will play in hearing ethics cases, with the judge role given to administative law judges

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:37 Robert Scott

12:37

Robert Scott:

Also, if the ethics board members had stayed on, they would have had to reveal much personal financial info, with the new ethics disclosure laws

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:37 Robert Scott

12:37

Have you forgiven Gov. Jindal for not immediately vetoing the raise?
Yes

( 50% )

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:37

12:38

Robert Scott:

Note the poll question folks. I'm curious what you think....

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:38 Robert Scott

12:39

Robert Scott:

The perspectives on the ethics board exodus range from: accusing them of sabotage and being poor sports, to being driven out on purpose by the Jindal reforms

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:39 Robert Scott

12:39

[Comment From DonaldDonald: ]

I think just like New Orleans people forget things quicky

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:39 Donald

12:40

[Comment From PlaidPlaid: ]

The Louisiana legislature has dealt with reform Governors before. They were able to derail them at every turn. This probably came as a big shock. Yes, he did what we wanted. I forgive him.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:40 Plaid

12:40

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

Usually Baton Rouge is ignored, but now stuff like the sex offender castration bill and the science in schools policy have been getting unflattering national coverage

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:40 Ray_Brandt_Toyota

12:40

[Comment From ReneeRenee: ]

Jindal had the decency to admit to his mistake and do the right thing. Jim Tucker is the real bad guy here. He is the one who literally threatened retaliation, which intimidated Jindal.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:40 Renee

12:40

Robert Scott:

Keep those cards and letters comin' folks .... good to hear your thoughts ...

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:40 Robert Scott

12:41

[Comment From KabelKabel: ]

Of course I forgive him, this was probably a very good learning experience.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:41 Kabel

12:41

Robert Scott:

OK, the forgiveness train is rolling here .... anyone want to say, not yet?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:41 Robert Scott

12:41

[Comment From StephanieStephanie: ]

Will he have trouble filling those jobs?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:41 Stephanie

12:43

Robert Scott:

Thos jobs on the ethics board, actually volunteer jobs .... will be much harder to fill than in the past. The type fo person what might have wanted it before would be the citizen judge, but the style of the reform of the board now lends itself more to a board member with a bit of the prosecutor in them

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:43 Robert Scott

12:43

[Comment From DennisDennis: ]

The jury is still out on Jindal. Had he not vetoed the bill it would have been unforgivable. The fact that he vetoed it is a step in the right direction but he has to show more to me.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:43 Dennis

12:43

[Comment From PlaidPlaid: ]

Just remember that he is trying to clean up almost 300 years of corruption. If you don't believe that, read "The French Quarter" by Herbert Asbury.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:43 Plaid

12:44

[Comment From JonesJones: ]

Hopefully, people will not forget Duplessis and Tucker when re-election comes around.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:44 Jones

12:45

Robert Scott:

Tucker's constituents will take note, eventually, that it is better to have a Speaker as your representative then a rookie who's No. 105 on the list of influential House members....

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:45 Robert Scott

12:45

[Comment From JessJess: ]

I agree, Dennis

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:45 Jess

12:45

[Comment From dandan: ]

AMEN!

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:45 dan

12:46

[Comment From WesWes: ]

I hope people can finally realize that Jindal is not the wonder boy, and is just as corrupted as every other Louisiana politician. He vetoed the legislative pay raise, but his staffers still got HUGE pay raises. It's still smoke and mirrors, but with someone else in office.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:46 Wes

12:46

[Comment From DennisDennis: ]

Do you think that if Tucker/Duplessis had added the provision that the raise would not be effective until the next term we would have seen the same outrage?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:46 Dennis

12:47

Robert Scott:

The pay raise outrage was over the high amount and the immediate implementation -- people still would have been mad about the amount, but how much?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:47 Robert Scott

12:48

[Comment From JessJess: ]

ABSOLUTELY!!!! (Dennis)

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:48 Jess

12:48

[Comment From StephanieStephanie: ]

How bad is Jindal's relationship with the Legislature right now? Is this Buddy Roemer all over again?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:48 Stephanie

12:49

Robert Scott:

Try not to think of the lege as a corporation, with a single mind and plan. Jindal's problem in the lege will be with certain lawmakers, those who will hold a grudge about him breaking his word, or those who will try to exploit opportunities because they think he is weak

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:49 Robert Scott

12:50

Robert Scott:

His relationship with many will heal, especially when it comes time for them to want something for their district

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:50 Robert Scott

12:50

Robert Scott:

But he has more bad relationships in the lege than before, for sure

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:50 Robert Scott

12:52

Robert Scott:

The House will move toward him and give him cooperation. Tucker, who might actually be relieved by the veto, will likely want to look like he's working closely with the gov. But the Senate, well....

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:52 Robert Scott

12:52

Do you think the legislature will retaliate against Jindal's legislation because of the veto?
Yes

( 79% )

( 21% )

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:52

12:52

[Comment From dandan: ]

I would have been ok if they started the pay raises with the next term. i do think there is need for a pay increase but not in this pigs at the troth fashion

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:52 dan

12:52

[Comment From DennisDennis: ]

To be honest the $ amount was never a factor to me. I was dead set against it being immeadiate and tied to the CPI.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:52 Dennis

12:52

Robert Scott:

Dennis, I think you nail that point...

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:52 Robert Scott

12:53

[Comment From JessJess: ]

that is a HUGE pay raise... my husband is in the military, he puts his life or the line everyday. Its a full time job and he makes $17,000/year. I don't think the legislators deserve more than he gets for a part time job.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:53 Jess

12:53

[Comment From PlaidPlaid: ]

I wonder how many of those who voted for the pay raise had entertained thoughts of running for mayor of New Orleans before this happened.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:53 Plaid

12:53

[Comment From dandan: ]

I think jindal made it worse for himself than if he stated when it was still a discussion ...that he would veto it the way things played out, he alienated the Legislature even more.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:53 dan

12:54

Robert Scott:

Dan, let me emphasize your point .... yes, the lege would have gone along without much distress if Jindal had put his foot fown on a pay raise from the beginning

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:54 Robert Scott

12:54

[Comment From eded: ]

lol pliad

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:54 ed

12:54

[Comment From NatalieNatalie: ]

Duplessis needs to be recalled.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:54 Natalie

12:55

Robert Scott:

Natalie, are you in Duplessis' district?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:55 Robert Scott

12:55

[Comment From DennisDennis: ]

I emailed my rep, sen, and Jindal numerous times re: this issue. I received one email response from my rep.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:55 Dennis

12:55

[Comment From eded: ]

sure does natalie

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:55 ed

12:56

[Comment From NatalieNatalie: ]

yes, I am

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:56 Natalie

12:56

Robert Scott:

Natalie, how are people in your area reacting to Duplessis?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:56 Robert Scott

12:57

Robert Scott:

If you didn't see the editorial cartoon in today's TP, go take a look....

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:57 Robert Scott

12:57

[Comment From eded: ]

well start recall ill send money!

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:57 ed

12:57

[Comment From NatalieNatalie: ]

the majority of therm are equally as angered as in other areas

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:57 Natalie

12:57

Robert Scott:

Did you vote for Duplessis?

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:57 Robert Scott

12:58

[Comment From NatalieNatalie: ]

Yes, I did, but I won't next time.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:58 Natalie

12:58

[Comment From dandan: ]

Duplesis is now in a spot cause I dont think she will see another term and this effort failed to feather her nest

Tuesday July 1, 2008 12:58 dan

1:01

Robert Scott:

Thanks to all for participating today. Lawmakers who voted for the raise still have a tough road ahead of them to mend things in their districts. The Republicans came out of this wounded as a party. Jindal will need to re-establish his credibility with the public. And he will need to focus on Louisiana more. That will be tough in the next few months, when he will be in demand for the poitical races, fundraising and GOP Conventions. Plenty of tough politics ahead

Tuesday July 1, 2008 1:01 Robert Scott

1:01

[Comment From WesWes: ]

Maybe I'll run for District 2

Tuesday July 1, 2008 1:01 Wes

1:01

[Comment From NatalieNatalie: ]

I am thinking about running against her.

Tuesday July 1, 2008 1:01 Natalie

1:02

[Comment From Ray_Brandt_ToyotaRay_Brandt_Toyota: ]

Do it!