If Gov. Bobby Jindal did have a substantial opponent today, he or she would have a prime issue to attack him on: the allegations of corruption and lack of oversight of a federally funded home elevation grant program run by this administration. An opponent would be pressing Jindal over a whistleblower lawsuit that charges that a state official accepted jewelry and meals in exchange for giving a contractor confidential information on homeowners who are eligible to receive grants. The suit, filed in state court in June by a current and a former program employee, comes amid growing complaints by homeowners that the state has done little to ferret out bad contractors and has taken the side of firms in disputes involving shoddy workmanship. Instead, so far, the explosive issue is being addressed by Commissioner of Administration Paul Rainwater. This week, two months after the whistleblower suit was filed, he announced a broad investigation into the charges, along with the federal Homeland Security inspector general and the state attorney general’s office. “I obviously wish we had acted quicker,” says the commissioner, adding that he accepts full responsibility. “We understand what needs to be done and we are moving forward now.”
—The past session proved to be a tonic for lawmakers hoping to rehabilitate their shaky business voting records, as determined by LABI. It is not the only interest group to rate legislators on selected votes, but there is more money in the form of campaign contributions from its regional PACs riding on those scores. Lawmakers who don’t rate high with LABI could see its endorsement and contributions going to challengers. Legislators who vote with the group 75% of the time over the length of a term are automatically endorsed for re-election, according to its bylaws. Below that, LABI’s four regional PAC boards have the option of endorsing legislators, depending on the type of district. By that standard, 40 representatives and 10 senators seeking re-election hit the cumulative 75% mark for the term.
They said it: “I really feel that if I did run, I would be able to get elected.” —Edwin Edwards, on WWL Radio
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
Today’s poll question: Should President Barack Obama pardon former Gov. Edwin Edwards so that Edwards can run for office again?
