Editorial: Session Can Set Tone For Jindal Tenure
The Daily Advertiser (excerpt)

The special session of the state Legislature called by Gov. Bobby Jindal could have a strong impact on his years in office. The session will deal with Jindal's ethics package, which he says will give Louisiana the "gold standard" of ethics laws among states.

UL political scientist Pearson Cross said Jindal is trying to capitalize on the "honeymoon" period that follows elections. The governor plans to toughen financial-disclosure and campaign-finance rules. He plans also to impose a ban on free tickets for elected officials to sporting and cultural events.

LSU political scientist Robert Hogan calls it "a treacherous risk strategically in a treacherous area and he is staking his governorship on it. The public is going to expect something."

Jindal has a strong advantage in the special session. Under Louisiana law, only the governor can set the agenda.

Hogan says the Legislature is going to be put on the spot because a special session offers no opportunity for trade-offs. Lawmakers either support the reform package or they reject it.

The stakes are high for Jindal also. Hogan says if he does not achieve his goal of creating "the gold standard, he's going to look bad, and his power is going to be diminished."

Chances of achieving the governor's goals are good. He will be dealing with many new people in the Legislature because of term limits. Hopefully, these new legislators will not have the negative attitude toward ethics reform that has been so common through the years, and has been obvious in the actions of so many long-time incumbents.

The attitude of Louisiana citizens is also an important factor. An LA Ethics 1 survey found that 96 percent of respondents believe it is important to improve the state's national standing with regard to governmental ethics laws.

Lawmakers need to hear from the people. Contact them and ask that they strongly support the Jindal ethics-reform package.