Jindal to La. lawmakers 'Undo what you've done'- Voters Recall Backlash

'It's a cop-out and nobody's buying it'

But he won't veto pay measure, he says

By Robert Travis Scott

Capital bureau

BATON ROUGE -- Gov. Bobby Jindal urged lawmakers Wednesday to reverse enactment of a raise that would double their pay by taking immediate legislative action before the current session ends in five days.

But with Jindal repeating a pledge not to veto the measure, lawmakers said they considered the issue closed.

"I don't know why he is trying to antagonize the Legislature," House Speaker Jim Tucker, R-Algiers, said of Jindal's request.

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"There is still time in this session and I strongly encourage them to reverse what they've done, to reconsider what they've done," Jindal said. "I strongly recommend to individual legislators that they do not accept the pay increase. I think it is a mistake. I think it's wrong. Again, I think the amount is excessive."

Jindal said the average Louisiana citizen is not in line for a doubling in salary, and so the Legislature should not be either. He said any pay raise should take effect only after the next election. But he repeated his pledge not to veto the bill.

"We strongly oppose it, but we don't want to give anybody any excuse to slow down the reforms that are so important to the people of Louisiana," Jindal said. "But I strongly encourage the Legislature -- they still have days left until Monday's end of session -- I strongly encourage them to undo what they've done."