Dear Robinson Film Center Supporters,
Attached, please find Governor Jindal’s veto letter he has signed. I’m very appreciative of all of the support emails and phone calls that you sent out because you believe in our mission as passionately as I do. It did officially get vetoed this afternoon so we were not able to turn it around. I disagree wholeheartedly with the assessment that we don’t meet the criteria to having a significant impact on our area, but we’ll have another shot at it come January when we’ll try again.
The good news is that the film center is in good shape and this money didn’t and won’t slow down our momentum as we move forward this fiscal year. It would have been a blessing to receive it, but we will continue to push ahead in the coming months. We’ll still need your support both from an advocacy level and from supporting our programs from a financial standpoint. It is people like you who make the film center a living breathing organization. I hope you’ll continue to support our programming and see the rich benefits we provide to the great state of Louisiana. I look forward to seeing you at the movies.
June 30, 2008
Mr. Alfred W. Speer
Clerk of the House of Representatives
State Capitol
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Mr. Glenn Koepp
Secretary of the Senate
State Capitol
Baton Rouge, LA 70802
Re: House Bill No. 1287 by Representative Fannin
Supplemental Appropriations Bill for FY 2007-2008
Dear Gentlemen:
As authorized by Article III, Section 18(B), and more particularly, Article IV, Section 5(G)(1) of the
Constitution of Louisiana, I have exercised my right to veto twenty-five items or provisions of the
Supplemental Appropriations Bill for Fiscal Year 2007-2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 1:
Page 4, Lines 40-44
This amendment provides $750,000 State General Fund to the Business Development Program for
the LSU System Research and Technology Foundation on behalf of TransGenRx, Inc., for a clean
room and related equipment. This is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet
the criteria established in my letter of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 2:
Page 5, Lines 5-7
This amendment provides $500,000 State General Fund to GNO Bioscience Economic Development
District. Although this is a very worthwhile initiative, this organization is eligible to apply for
matching grant funds from the Louisiana Department of Economic Development or funding from
local sources.
Mr. Speer and Mr. Koepp
Page Two
June 30, 2008
VETO MESSAGE NO. 3:
Page 5, Lines 8-12
This amendment provides $396,500 State General Fund to the Business Development Program for
the Maritime Institute for Emergency Monitoring and Response (MIEMAR) for the Gulf Coast
Conference. This is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria
established in my letter of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 4:
Page 8, Lines 6-9
This amendment provides $80,000 in State General Fund (Direct) to the Department of Health and
Hospitals, Office of the Secretary, Governor's Council on Physical Fitness and Sports for an
expansion of services the Council provides. The source of funding is from FY 2007-2008 one-time
revenue. The funding of this expansion from a non-recurring revenue source would necessitate an
infusion of recurring dollars in the ensuing years in order for the Council to continue providing the
new services. This expansion is not included in the budget for FY 2008-2009, and therefore if not
vetoed, a recurring program would be funded with non-recurring revenue. Therefore, I am vetoing
this appropriation.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 5:
Page 11, Lines 27-36
This amendment provides $750,000 payable out of State General Fund to the Louisiana Community
and Technical Colleges Board of Supervisors for a workforce facility condition assessment and a
service market data study and location analysis. The success of this legislative session in the area
of workforce development will lead us to levels of coordination in workforce training that Louisiana
has never seen before. Additional time will be needed to allow for better coordination between the
Workforce Commission, the Department of Economic Development, the Community and Technical
Colleges and other agencies to ultimately maximize the delivery of workforce training and services
throughout the state. For the reasons stated above, it is premature to implement a study. Therefore,
I am vetoing this appropriation.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 6:
Page 12, lines 16-20:
This amendment provides $2,500,000 in State General Fund to the Classroom Technology Program
in the Department of Education for the continuation of the Turn On To Learning initiative which
provides laptop computers to 6th, 7th, and 8th grade students. The pilot program for 6th graders,
which is funded in the current year, has no data regarding outcomes, including student performance.
Therefore, an expansion of this magnitude should be delayed until the effectiveness of this program
activity is demonstrated. Therefore, I am vetoing this item.
Mr. Speer and Mr. Koepp
Page Three
June 30, 2008
VETO MESSAGE NO. 7:
Page 13, Lines 16-19
This amendment provides $600,000 State General Fund by Statutory Dedications out of the Greater
New Orleans Sports Foundation Fund to the Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation. This
amendment is a duplication of funding which is already in the bill.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 8:
Page 14, Lines 36-37
This amendment provides $50,000 State General Fund to the city of Kenner for unspecified
infrastructure improvements. Further, this item is local in nature and should be borne by the local
governing authority.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 9:
Page 14, Lines 41-43
This amendment provides $500,000 State General Fund for the New Orleans Multicultural Tourism
Network. This is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria
established in my letter of April 30, 2008. Further, the New Orleans Convention and Visitors Bureau
(NOCVB), the regional tourism entity, is provided funding to help expedite this industry’s recovery
efforts. This entity should seek funding through the NOCVB.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 10:
Page 14, Lines 44-46
This amendment provides $500,000 State General Fund for the Louisiana Statewide Educational
Facilities Authority to be created within the Department of Education, domiciled in East Baton
Rouge Parish. If this authority is created, it duplicates the purpose of the State Board of Elementary
and Secondary Education (BESE). Further, it is the responsibility of the local government to finance
the repair, renovation and construction of public school facilities within their parishes by using local
sales and property taxes as well as the allocated MFP dollars.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 11:
Page 15, Lines 4-5
This amendment provides $10,000 State General Fund for the Livingston Parish Council on Aging.
Councils on Aging are funded through the Office of Elderly Affairs based on a statutory formula.
Mr. Speer and Mr. Koepp
Page Four
June 30, 2008
VETO MESSAGE NO. 12:
Page 15, Lines 10-13
This amendment provides $1,000,000 State General Fund to the French Quarter – Marigny Historic
Area Management District for tourism development pursuant to R.S. 25:796-799. There is funding
within the Office of Culture, Recreation and Tourism for tourism development.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 13:
Page 15, Lines 14-16
This amendment provides $12,000 State General Fund to the Faubourg Saint John Neighborhood
Association for playground resurfacing. This is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which
did not meet the criteria established in my letter of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 14:
Page 15, Lines 17-18
This amendment provides $500,000 State General Fund to the Red River Film Society. This is a
Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria established in my letter of
April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 15:
Page 15, Lines 22-24
This amendment provides $10,000 State General Fund to the Livingston Parish Council for the
Livingston Activity Center. This item is local in nature and there is no explanation for the use of this
appropriation.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 16:
Page 15, Lines 25-27
This amendment provides $25,000 State General Fund to the city of Denham Springs for park
improvements. This item is local in nature and should be borne by the local governing authority.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 17:
Page 15, Lines 31-33
This amendment provides $10,000 State General Fund to the Livingston Parish Recreation District
2 for Live Oak Recreation. This item is local in nature and should be borne by the local governing
authority.
Mr. Speer and Mr. Koepp
Page Five
June 30, 2008
VETO MESSAGE NO. 18:
Page 15, Lines 34-35
This amendment provides $200,000 State General Fund for the Louisiana Center Against Poverty,
Inc. This is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria established
in my letter of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 19:
Page 15, Lines 36-37
This amendment provides $300,000 State General Fund to the Gulf South Research Institute. This
is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria established in my letter
of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 20:
Page 15, Lines 38-39
This amendment provides $100,000 State General Fund to the Louisiana Habitat for Humanity. This
is a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria established in my letter
of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 21:
Page 19, Lines 30-37
This amendment provides $500,000 State General Fund to the DRYADES YMCA for reconstruction
of Dryades YMCA for Phase II (Natatorium and Wellness Facility). This is a Non-Governmental
Organization (NGO) which did not meet the criteria established in my letter of April 30, 2008.
VETO MESSAGE NO 22:
Page 71, Lines 18-31
Page 72, Lines 1-4
This amendment provides that in the event that the leveraging of new market tax credits and related
resources cannot be accomplished in a timely and cost effective manner on any community primary
health care center expansion project approved in House Bill 1287, the monies in the appropriation
allocated to these projects authorized by the project financial manager to be expended on a grant
basis. Act 203 of the 2007 Regular Legislative Session of the Louisiana Legislature appropriated
$41,500,000 for the planning, acquisition, construction, expansion and renovation of community
primary health care centers. The 2007 Louisiana Legislature clearly intended these funds be
leveraged by new market tax credits in order to further the contribution of state funds for the
development of new primary health care centers and appropriated these funds on that basis. The
Louisiana Primary Care Association, through an existing cooperative endeavor agreement with the
Division of Administration, fully committed to this provision prior to accepting and releasing some
Mr. Speer and Mr. Koepp
Page Six
June 30, 2008
of these funds to community health center projects. Future community health center expansion
projects should be held to the same standards as set forth in Act 203 and the existing cooperative
endeavor agreement. For these reasons, I am vetoing this language.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 23:
Page 72, Lines 8-13
This amendment provides $500,000 State General Fund Nonrecurring Revenues for the Port of Iberia
(Infrastructure Improvements on Expansion). The source of this funding is the Port Construction and
Development Priority Program contained in Act 7 of the 2008 Second Extraordinary Session. This
would circumvent the Port Priority Program; therefore, I am vetoing this appropriation.
VETO MESSAGE NO. 24
Page 72, Lines 14-19
This amendment provides $177,000 State General Fund Nonrecurring Revenues for New Iberia
(Frontage Road Improvements). The source of this funding is the Port Construction and
Development Priority Program contained in Act 7 of the 2008 Second Extraordinary Session. This
would circumvent the Port Priority Program; therefore, I am vetoing this appropriation.
VETO MESSAGE 25:
Page 72, Lines 20-29
This is a language amendment providing funding from the Port Construction and Development
Priority Program contained in Act 7 of the 2008 Second Extraordinary Session. This would
circumvent the Port Priority Program; therefore, I am vetoing this appropriation.
Enclosed is a copy of the pages of House Bill No. 1287 reflecting the vetoed items referenced herein.
Very truly yours,
Bobby Jindal
Governor
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