Dear Robinson Film Center Supporters,
The Robinson Film Center just received word that Governor Bobby Jindal has announced that he will veto $500,000 in supplemental appropriations for RFC programming and operations. This is a major decision that we need your help to overturn.
Governor Jindal announced these line item vetoes, but has not signed them into law yet, but he will in the next couple of hours.
I’m asking you to call the Governor’s office at 225-342-7015 or 866-366-1121 (Toll Free) or email him the following example message at his website letting him know the positive impact the film center is having on our area and the state of Louisiana. You can send the message via the link below.
http://www.gov.la.gov/index.cfm?md=form&tmp=email_governor
Or contacting Angele Davis, Commissioner of Administration at

Local: (225) 342-7000
Toll Free: (800) 354-9548
Email:doacommissioner@la.gov


The message should convey the below…
“I’m a Robinson Film Center supporter and I believe in their mission that furthers the cultural economy of Louisiana. The film center’s programming, education, and film production services have given so much to the state of Louisiana. I fully believe that they are deserving of the $500,000 in supplemental funding from HB 1287. Please reconsider this veto on their behalf so that the Robinson Film Center can move forward and grow their community outreach, film programming, and continue to enrich our culture and enhance the lives of our citizens throughout the state of Louisiana.”
See the below article detailing his veto items and you will see us under Red River Film Society. Please take five minutes out of your day to lend us your support and help overturn this veto. Time is of the essence and we only have a few hours.
Thanks for your support of our mission,
John


Jun 30, 2008
Governor Announces Line Item Vetoes of More Than $9.29 Million in Supplemental Bill
BATON ROUGE – Today, Governor Bobby Jindal announced that he has line item vetoed more than $9.29 million in spending from the fiscal year 2007-2008 supplemental appropriations bill (HB 1287), including spending proposed by legislators for non-governmental and governmental entities.
Governor Jindal said, “Reducing state spending on non-state projects and initiatives furthers our goal to make state spending more responsible, transparent and accountable. We announced clear criteria for non-governmental spending at the beginning of the session, and we are beginning to implement those criteria in this supplemental bill, while working to eliminate additional governmental spending that is not a state priority. We are currently continuing to work on reviewing the non-governmental and governmental projects proposed in House Bill 1 to identify greater savings for our state.
“Some of these programs pursue good and worthy goals - and that is not my objection to their inclusion in this law. The state will never have a shortage of good ideas looking for state funding. To make sure we treat them fairly and perform our duty as watchdogs for the taxpayers, the legislature should follow the simple criteria I have outlined for considering NGO funding.”
The supplemental bill, HB 1287, is meant to allocate funds to designated agencies that are experiencing a shortfall in funding. The bill also provides legislative appropriations for local or regional needs. Governor Jindal’s line-item veto reductions total more than $8.69 million in general fund and a more than $9.29 total reduction in funds.
To reduce spending on non-governmental programs, Governor Jindal sent a letter to legislators in April outlining his required criteria to support spending for non-governmental organizations in budget bills. Jindal announced that any proposed spending that did not meet the criteria he outlined would be vetoed. The Governor’s letter included the following criteria for state spending on non-governmental organizations:
“Therefore, below is a list of criteria for NGO funding required to gain my support; and as such, any NGO funding passed by the Legislature that does not meet the following criteria will be vetoed. NGO funding passed by the State Legislature:
•    Must have statewide or substantial regional impact.
•    Must have been presented/openly discussed during the legislative session.
•    Must be a state agency priority.
•    Must have the proper disclosure form published online prior to consideration for funding (consistent with information provided in the House disclosure form).”
Governor Jindal Announced 25 Line Item Vetoes Today, Totaling $9.29 Million:
•    GNO Bioscience Development District: $500,000
•    Maritime Institute: $396,500
•    LSU System Research and Technology Foundation on behalf of TranGenRx: $750,000
•    Governor’s Council on Physical Fitness Management and Finance Program: $80,000
•    LCTCS master plan for workforce facility: $750,000
•    Turn on to Learning initiative classroom technology program: $2.5 million
•    Greater New Orleans Sports Foundation Fund (tax dedication): $600,000 (Duplicate)
•    Livingston Parish Council for Living Activity Center: $10,000
•    Faubourg Saint John Neighborhood Association for playground resurfacing: $12,000
•    Livingston Parish Recreation District #2: $10,000
•    City of Denham Springs Park Improvements: $25,000
•    Louisiana Habitat for Humanity: $100,000
•    Louisiana Center Against Poverty: $200,000
•    Gulf Coast Research Institute: $300,000
•    Red River Film Society: $500,000
•    French Quarter Marigny Historical Area Management District: $1.0 million
•    City of Kenner infrastructure improvements: $50,000
•    New Orleans Multicultural Tourism Network: $500,000
•    Louisiana Statewide Education Facilities Authority: $500,000
•    Livingston Parish Council on Aging: $10,000
•    Dryades YMCA reconstruction: $500,000
•    Language amendment: Cooperative endeavor agreements between the state and the Louisiana Primary Care Association
The Governor also made three other line item vetoes to eliminate language, which circumvented the Port Priority Program and reduced the amount in the program by $677,000 to fund the Port of Iberia ($500,000), and New Iberia ($177,000).
Governor Jindal has also made the following fiscal reforms to reduce state spending and make better use of Louisiana taxpayer money since taking office:
•    Completely eliminated, for the first time in history, the state’s long-held, unhealthy habit of relying on “one-time” revenue to cover recurring expenditures.  Eliminating the current year’s $800 million reliance on one-time money represents the largest year-to-year reduction in Louisiana’s history.
•    Cut 984 vacant state government positions at an estimated savings of $58 million; and as a result of a limited statewide government hiring freeze, achieved state General Fund savings of $39 million - $14 million more than the $25 million target called for in the Governor’s executive order.
•    Eliminated two government offices and consolidated six others.
•    Reformed the state’s construction financing process (Capital Outlay) by 1) Requiring spending restraint by limiting funding of non-state projects to no more than 25 percent of cash line of credit capacity and requiring 25 percent local match for non-state projects; and 2) Increasing the quality of projects funded through the program by establishing objective criteria for feasibility studies for all projects, to make sure they are necessary, practical, cost-effective, and self-sustaining.