Jindal asks for voucher plan approval as session opens

Advocate staff photo by BILL FEIG -- Gov. Bobby Jindal on Monday said he is seeking substantial changes in Louisiana’s public education system not for the next election but for the next generation.

Updated at

2:15 p.m.

The Louisiana Legislature opened session on Monday afternoon.

In an address to a joint session of the Legislature, Gov. Bobby Jindal asked lawmakers to approve his controversial plan to create a program that would allow parents in some public schools to use vouchers of taxpayer dollars to pay for tuition in private schools.

Jindal also asked for support for his plan to decrease the costs for the retirements of state employees.

Legislators are expected to begin considering 1,589 bills currently on their agenda on Tuesday when committees begin meeting. Lawmakers are required to meet 60 days during an 85-day period. The session must adjourn no later than 6 p.m. on June 4.

For more coverage of the Louisiana Legislature, read The Advocate’s Politics Blog at:

http://blogs.theadvocate.com/politicsblog/

Comments

1) Comment by WhoCares - 12/03/2012

Granee just follow the Zachary model. Or you could be one of the elite magnet school parents who love the way the system works. Im all for glen oaks and Istouma merging with BRHS, it is only fair.

2) Comment by [e-mail] - 12/03/2012

****Comment Removed for Violation of Terms of Use****

3) Comment by Being_Stupid - 12/03/2012

I want my tax money to go to the children & parents, THE CONSUMERS OF EDUCATION, via School Vouchers not the Union Bosses and their Thug Elites in the Democrat Socialist Party.

4) Comment by Grannee - 12/03/2012

8point, we have to go to YouTube to see minorities in Jindal's school vocher commercials?

5) Comment by Grannee - 12/03/2012

Although my children are out of high school, I am not in favor of the vocher plan. First, the vochers will not serve all children in failing schools. In order to get into a private school, there is an entrance exam that the child has to take and pass (my son had to). Second, if the child is coming from a failing school - most likely they will not be able to pass an entrance exam. If the child in a family of four makes over $50,000, they will not qualify for the vocher. What provisions will be made for the children who do not meet Jindal's qualifications? What will happen to the children left behind? Do we leave them at failing schools? Why can't the failing schools be patterened after Louisiana's successful schools? Are the successes at these schools a secret. What will Jindal do if the "private" schools refuse to admit the children from trouble schools. How long will these kids have to "catch up" at these high achieving private schools? Will they lose their vochers if they can't perform? And when will they lose their vochers? I have a granddaughter that is deaf, but goes to regular school. If she qualifies for a vocher, will any special provisions be made for her education at the "private schools"? Just wondering.

6) Comment by sharpie - 12/03/2012

I did not think his speech was all that great. He has not convinced me one inch on vouchers, or the fact that raping state employees and breaking contracts is respectable. Actually, I think he is insincere about the children.

7) Comment by Elderly Man - 12/03/2012

Well, he has the votes I listened to his speech--one of the best he has made. I am not happy about many aspects of his program but people elected him. I agree with WArp7 that we better read the legislation though I probably will not and from what the commentator says I will not know much if I do. I know we need reforms but much that passes for reform does not seem to me to be that.

8) Comment by 8point6 - 12/03/2012

@warp7: I'll repost this http://www.youtube.com/watch? v=kwqKH9SixqM&feature=player_embedded Do you see any "MAJORITY" person or child in this one? May God bless and protect you all the days of your life. This is too easy......

9) Comment by Warp7 - 12/03/2012

@8point6 - Maybe that is because that is their true picture. Here we go againt Jindal trying to get points from the ultra right and his financial backers. Noticed in the news coverage that a representative noticed what I noticed about his commercial. It plays to a specific audience that he wants support from. He talks about our children, but not one minority person or child is in that commercial. Teachers out there better start voicing their concerns to each and every relative they have, including friends to defeat this effort to destroy Louisiana's Teachers and give Tax payers money to his friends who will get contracts if this bill passes. If you have not reviewed the bill(s), you better read them to educate yourself. Some of these bills might get out of commettee as most committees are stacked by his followers. This governor talks about transparency, but it is all talk. View on HB 1 the budget bill has been drawn up since he took office and you will see what I mean. Prior to him taking office you could view HB 1 and determine where the money is actually bieng spent and how much. Now the bill just gives you the total and not a break down or where the funds in each department is going.

10) Comment by sailawayfromla - 12/03/2012

I wish I could take my vote back. Voting for Bobby Jindal will go down as one of my biggest regrets.

11) Comment by 8point6 - 12/03/2012

Hey, Bill. That's a decent photo of Governor Jindal. Do you not know that this medium requires only the most unflattering photos of Republicans and conservatives to be published?