Caldwell, governor agree on legal fees
by MICHELLE MILLHOLLON - Advocate (excerpt)

Attorney General Buddy Caldwell and Gov. Bobby Jindal now are in agreement on using a portion of BP oil disaster settlements to pay legal bills.

Caldwell did an about-face this week after previously disagreeing with the governor on diverting dollars from whatever money the state eventually gets to pay attorneys representing the plaintiffs in the 2010 disaster.

Instead of using money that is reaped from the disaster, Caldwell apparently wanted to pay lawyers a set rate as work is done. The governor objected, saying Caldwell’s approach would strain the state’s general fund, which is used to pay for health care, education and other state expenses. The dispute led to Caldwell accusing the governor of ignoring his role as the state’s top legal expert and of making an unconstitutional agreement.