For a few months now, Governor PBJ has faced a largely compliant state media that has published fawning stories about him, along with a Legislature that has been predisposed to go along with his wishes.
That's starting to change, prompting me to declare the following:
THE HONEYMOON IS OVER, GOVERNOR!
For those of y'all who are skeptical, here's the proof:
A House committee voted to limit the executive exemption for the Governor's records over the objections of Governor PBJ himself to exempt the "governor and a list of his employees: his chief of staff, executive counsel, director of policy, press secretary, legislative director, director of boards and commissions, director of intergovernmental affairs, director of constituent services, communications director, director of scheduling and "each member of their respective staff" from allowing their papers and documents into the public domain. The Committee, headed by a Republican, Rep. Wayne Waddell, voted to limit the exemptions to the Governor, his Chief of Staff, and his Executive Counsel. The bill, HB 1100, is pending consideration by the full House.
The New Orleans Gambit Weekly has a piece by the indefatigable Jeremy Alford regarding the lack of transparency the Jindal Administration has when it comes to dealing with the press. Apparently, the only press folks they want to talk to these days are the national press. Alford also published a handy graphic regarding the responsiveness of the Jindal Administration to Louisiana press:
- Jan. 31, The Advocate: "Jindal's key aides' salaries similar to Blanco's" - "Jindal's chief of staff, Timmy Teepell, did not return two requests for comment on the governor's payroll."
- Feb. 16, The Advocate: "Jindal gives away tickets to concert" - "Jindal's chief of staff, Timmy Teepell, did not respond to four requests for comment."
- March 4, The Advocate: "LSU Lab School access defended" - "Jindal did not respond to five requests for comment Tuesday."
- March 4, The Advocate: 'Nagin urges Jindal to fund N.O. projects, change ports" - "Jindal did not return a call seeking comment after meeting with Nagin."
- March 4, The Times-Picaune: "Jindal may back tuition tax breaks" - "Jindal press secretary Melissa Sellers did not respond to questions about tax breaks for private school tuition or to a more specific question about (the) effort."
- March 19, The Independent Weekly: "To H2B or Not to H2B: State leaders are working different avenues and coalitions to solve this year's critical shortage of seasonal immigrant workers." - "Jindal Press Secretary Melissa Sellers did not respond to an inquiry about the governor's involvement."
- April 7, LSU Reveille: "Jindal preaches transparency, doesn't follow through" - "Jindal's Press Secretary Melissa Sellers did not return calls requesting a comment for this column."
- April 9, Associated Press: "Former highway safety chief believes he was fired over helmet disagreement" - "(Col. Jim Champagne) said he was fired March 25, after a meeting with chief of staff Timmy Teepell, and left six days later. Teepell did not respond to requests for comment."
- April 20, The Advocate: "Evolution talk cut from bill: Proposed law now calls only for 'objective discussions'" - "Asked for a comment from Gov. Bobby Jindal or for Jindal's position on the bill, the governor did not respond."
- April 30, The Advocate: "House panel to hold hearings in Angola 3 case" - "Jindal did not respond Tuesday to two requests for comment."
- May 8, The Advocate: "Lawmakers: Ethics laws too strict for volunteers" - "Jindal did not respond to three requests for an interview made through his press secretary, Mellissa Sellers. Neither did his office answer six specific questions."
