Legislative Independence?
by MARK BALLARD - Advocate (excerpt)

Jindal may have angered some legislators when he vetoed their pay raise after weeks of saying he wouldn’t. During the next few days, Jindal no doubt will brook even more anger when he vetoes their pet projects.

This 144-member Legislature, which took office in January and included 63 first-time lawmakers, is taking its first tottering steps towards independence.

Make no mistake: the governor still holds all the cards. He still chooses which construction projects get funded, which people serve on boards and what pork … er, NGOs … get tax dollars. But legislators are pushing back.