Jindal talks family, legislative strategy in exclusive interview

Gov. Bobby Jindal begins his second term at the apex of his power as Louisiana’s chief executive. His first term was heavily characterized by crisis control, including hurricanes Gustav and Ike, the oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico, the Mississippi River’s perilous rising and recessionary budget cuts. He toured the nation and compiled an intimidating war chest, raising both his and the state’s image on the national scene. Now, following a re-election triumph in which no major candidate stood to oppose him, Jindal has the pieces in place for the biggest moves yet in his political career. Prior to the start of the current legislative session—in which Jindal’s push for massive reform of K-12 education and the state’s pension system are paramount—the governor sat down with Business Report for an extensive and exclusive interview in which he opened up about Louisiana, his family and what will likely be his legacy legislative session. “I’ve told my cabinet from the very first cabinet meeting, which was my first day as governor … we’re going to run out of time before we run out of things to do,” Jindal says. “I’ve got the greatest job I’ve ever had and I probably will ever have in my professional career. So for me every moment is precious. I don’t want to waste a moment in this job.” Read the entire interview in the new issue of Business Report here.