COMMENTARY | When it comes to finding the perfect blend of government programs and job creation, no one does a better job of it then Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal. The program he unveiled to state legislators on Thursday is a comprehensive attack on unemployment by the only successful means possible: attracting new jobs to the state.
Jindal took the right approach too. If approved, his plan will redesign the business environment, tax structure and employment rules to attract new business to the Bayou state. "We want to give our economic development leaders ... the tools they need to continue to bring jobs to our state," Jindal said
The Associated Press reported the governor unveiled his program at a Baton Rouge technology park with a host of lawmakers who will sponsor his measures in the legislature. President Barack Obama could take lessons from this man because that's the way to advance legislation from the onset -- not going on national TV to trumpet a plan no one supports like Obama did with his jobs proposal last year.
The truly amazing part of Jindal's plan is the state estimates it will have no cost to taxpayers for the first four years but could result in decreased state revenue in year five. That's four years to implement the program without cost to taxpayers. By the fifth year, hopefully, it will be churning results.
Congress should be taking notes too. Jindal said every incentive or rebate contained in his plan can only be utilized if it results in bringing new jobs to Louisiana. Now that's a targeted program that can only succeed. His plan doesn't throw state money at bailouts or props up programs that don't produce results. It's well-thought and innovative.
The News-Star opined that the combined incentives and coordinated property tax relief program will work to bring greater economic opportunities to the region. That's because this plan makes sense and has built-in safeguards to protect taxpayers from companies who would abuse the incentives and fail to create jobs.
Built in protections for a government-sponsored program -- who'da thunk it possible? Good job governor.
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