Once again, Governor Bobby Jindal has left the state of Louisiana and once again it is for a political speech to a Republican group. This trip has nothing to do with state business, but it is all about rebuilding the GOP.
This evening, Jindal is the featured speaker at the National Republican Congressional Committee’s March Dinner at the NationalBuildingMuseum in Washington D.C. Jindal will be in front of the cameras at the same time that President Obama is conducting his second national press conference. The last time Jindal squared off against Obama was right after the President’s address to Congress. Jindal was panned for the delivery of his Republican response. Tonight, Republicans can expect a much more animated Governor Jindal.
This speech is just the latest in a long line of out of state trips made by Governor Jindal since he was inaugurated in January of 2008. Louisiana voters should not expect the Governor’s travel to diminish in the months ahead. For example, in a few weeks, Jindal will be going back to the Nation’s Capital for a series of fundraisers and then travel to Massachusetts for a fundraiser hosted by former Massachusetts Governor Mitt Romney.
Clearly, all of this travel and attention is part of the Governor’s strategy to raise his national profile and solidify his ranking at the top of the list of potential candidates for the GOP presidential nomination. Jindal has national political aspirations, which is typical for a Governor of any state; however, Louisiana is a state that is beset with serious, longstanding problems that demand attention. Jindal is risking ever increasing criticism if he continues this non-stop travel schedule.
According to recently released State Police records, Jindal has spent approximately 150 days traveling, which includes in-state visits, since he took the oath of office. The report shows that as Governor Jindal has left Louisiana at least 31 times for social, political and fundraising events. While the Governor uses campaign funds for travel that is not state business, his staff and security detail bill the state taxpayers for their expenses. In addition, taxpayers foot the bill for all of the car rentals that the Governor and his staff use on all of these trips regardless of the purpose. When the Governor leaves Louisiana to pursue his political agenda, it costs the people of Louisiana in several different ways. These trips are expensive to taxpayers and also take Jindal away from his number one job, governing the state. When he was elected, voters did not expect nor want the Governor to become a world traveler. They wanted him to accomplish the goals he outlined in the campaign.
Therefore, Governor Jindal should consider reimbursing state taxpayers for the time he spends away from his job. For example in Jindal’s 31 trips out of state, it is reasonable to conclude that it encompassed approximately 90 days or about 15% of his overall time in office. If the Governor has spent around 15% of his time on personal and political travel, he should refund the State of Louisiana 15% of his total salary. With an annual salary of $95,000 per year, Governor Jindal should refund to state taxpayers roughly $15,000. It is not much money for a well heeled politician like Governor Jindal, but it would send the right message to the taxpayers and may encourage Governor Jindal to put his priorities in order.
Jeff Crouere is the Host of “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. He is the Political Analyst for WGNO-TV ABC26 and a Columnist for selected publications. For more information, visit his web site at RingsidePolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com
Once again, Governor Bobby Jindal has left the state of 
