Jindal Making Progress for Louisiana’s Share of Oil & Gas Revenues

My thoughts are at the bottom of this article and list of supporters. Please also keep scrolling down to read my essay on The Future of Louisiana.

Rep. Bobby Jindal Contact: Kim Allen 202-225-3015
Jindal Bill Update: 89 members representing 28 states support Louisiana's fair share
Washington, May 5 -

Congressman Bobby Jindal's (LA-01) "Domestic Energy Production through Offshore Exploration and Equitable Treatment of State Holdings Act of 2006" (H.R. 4761) continues to build support in Congress and across the country. The bill will bring Louisiana up to 75 percent of energy royalties produced offshore, which will mean more than $10 billion for the state in just the first 10 years of the program. That number grows to more than $28 billion over the first 20 years and $50 billion over the first 30 years of the bill.

"I continue to work everyday to get all of my colleagues in Congress to support providing Louisiana with a fair share of the energy revenue generated off our coast," Jindal said. "The momentum continues to build, the endorsements continue to mount, and our effort to bring Louisiana a consistent, long-term funding source for hurricane protection and coastal restoration gets closer and closer to success."

The following members of Congress have now signed on as co-sponsors, bringing the number up to 89 members from 28 states:

Representative Chris Cannon (R-UT)
Representative Dan Burton (R-IN)
Representative John Hostettler (R-IN)
Representative Solomon Ortiz (D-TX)
Representative George Radanovich (R-CA)
Representative Frank Lucas (R-OK)

The new cosponsors join national and local leaders already on board:

In Congress:

Majority Whip Roy Blunt (R-MO)
Deputy Majority Whip Eric Cantor (R-VA)
House Republican Conference Chairman Deborah Price (R-OH)
Representative Robert Aderholt (R-AL)
Representative Rodney Alexander (R-LA)
Representative Spencer Bachus (R-AL)
Representative Richard Baker (R-LA)
Representative Gresham Barrett (R-SC)
Representative Bob Beauprez (R-CO)
Representative Henry Bonilla (R-TX)
Representative Jo Bonner (R-AL)
Representative Dan Boren (D-OK)
Representative Charles W. Boustany, Jr. (R-LA)
Representative Kevin Brady (R-TX)
Representative Henry E. Brown, Jr. (R-SC)
Representative Michael Burgess (R-TX)
Representative Steve Buyer (R-IN)
Representative Shelley Moore Capito (R-WV)
Representative Ken Calvert (R-CA)
Representative John Carter (R-TX)
Representative Tom Cole (R-OK)
Representative Michael Conaway (R-TX)
Representative Bud Cramer (D-AL)
Representative Barbara Cubin (R-WY)
Representative Henry Cuellar (D-TX)
Representative Artur Davis (D-AL)
Representative Geoff Davis (R-KY)
Representative Tom Davis (R-VA)
Representative Nathan Deal (R-GA)
Representative Tom DeLay (R-TX)
Representative John Doolittle (R-CA)
Representative Thelma Drake (R-VA)
Representative Terry Everett (R-AL)
Representative Eni F.H. Faleomavaega (D-AS)
Representative Luis G. Fortuno (R-PR)
Representative Virginia Fox (R-NC)
Representative Jim Gibbons (R-NV)
Representative Wayne Gilchrest (R-MD)
Representative Phil Gingrey (R-GA)
Representative Louie Gohmert (R-TX)
Representative Virgil Goode (R-VA)
Representative Bob Goodlatte (R-VA)
Representative Kay Granger (R-TX)
Representative Gene Green (D-TX)
Representative Ralph Hall (R-TX)
Representative Melissa Hart (R-PA)
Representative Wally Herger (R-CA)
Representative Ernest Istook (R-OK)
Representative William Jefferson (D-LA)
Representative Sam Johnson (R-TX)
Representative Kenny Marchant (R-TX)
Representative Mike McCaul (R-TX)
Representative Jim McCrery (R-LA)
Representative Patrick McHenry (R-NC)
Representative John McHugh (R-NY)
Representative Charlie Melancon (D-LA)
Representative Charlie Norwood (R-GA)
Representative Devin Nunes (R-CA)
Representative Butch Otter (R-ID)
Representative Michael Oxley (R-OH)
Representative Ron Paul (R-TX)
Representative Steve Pearce (R-NM)
Representative Collin Peterson (D-MN)
Representative Chip Pickering (R-MS)
Representative Ted Poe (R-TX)
Representative Jon Porter (R-NV)
Representative Tom Price (R-GA)
Representative Dennis Rehberg (R-MT)
Representative Mike Rogers (R-AL)
Representative Mike Rogers (R-MI)
Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX)
Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA)
Representative Mike Simpson (R-ID)
Representative Lamar Smith (R-TX)
Representative Mark Souder (R-IN)
Representative John Sullivan (R-OK)
Representative Gene Taylor (D-MS)
Representative Mac Thornberry (R-TX)
Representative Zach Wamp (R-TN)
Representative Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA)
Representative Roger Wicker (R-MS)
Representative Joe Wilson (R-SC)
Representative Don Young (R-AK)

In Louisiana:

Louisiana Governor Kathleen Babineaux Blanco
Sidney Coffee - Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority
Carlton Dufrechou - Lake Ponchartrain Basin Foundation
Charlotte Bollinger - Restore or Retreat
Ascension Parish President - Ronnie Hughes
Jefferson Parish President - Aaron Broussard
Tangipahoa Parish President - Gordon Burgess
Terrebonne Parish President - Don Schwab
St. Charles Parish President - Albert Laque
St. Tammany Parish President - Kevin Davis
Plaquemines Parish President - Benny Rousselle
Iberia Parish President - Will Langlinais
St. Bernard Parish President - Junior Rodriguez
State Senator - Robert Adley
State Senator - "Jody" Amedee
State Senator - Diana E. Bajoie
State Senator - Robert J. Barham
State Senator - Walter J. Boasso
State Senator - Sharon Weston Broome
State Senator - James David Cain
State Senator - Joel T. Chaisson, II
State Senator - Sherri Smith Cheek
State Senator - Donald R. "Don" Cravins
State Senator - Jay Dardenne
State Senator - Ann Duplessis
State Senator - Reggie P. Dupre, Jr.
State Senator - Noble E. Ellington
State Senator - Cleo Fields
State Senator - Heulette "Clo" Fontenot
State Senator - "Nick" Gautreaux
State Senator - D. A. "Butch" Gautreaux
State Senator - Francis C. Heitmeier
State Senator - Donald E. Hines, M.D.
State Senator - Ken Hollis
State Senator - Lydia P. Jackson
State Senator - Charles D. "C.D." Jones
State Senator - Robert W. "Bob" Kostelka
State Senator - Arthur J. "Art" Lentini
State Senator - Max T. Malone
State Senator - Robert "Rob" Marionneaux, Jr.
State Senator - Joe McPherson
State Senator - Michael J. "Mike" Michot
State Senator - Willie L. Mount
State Senator - Edwin R. Murray
State Senator - Ben Nevers
State Senator - Julie Quinn
State Senator - Craig F. Romero
State Senator - John T. "Tom" Schedler
State Senator - Derrick Shepherd
State Senator - Kenneth M. "Mike" Smith
State Senator - Gerald J. Theunissen
State Senator - J. Chris Ullo
State Representative - Tim Burns
State Representative - Jim Tucker
State Representative - Steve Scalise
State Representative - Peppi Bruneau
State Representative - Ken Odinet
State Representative - Gordon Dove
State Representative - Ernie Alexander
State Representative - Clara Guilbeau Baudoin
State Representative - Joel Robideaux
State Representative - Nita Hutter
State Representative - John Labruzzo
Delcambre Mayor - Carol Broussard
Lafitte Mayor - Tim Kerner
Grand Isle Mayor - David Carmadelle
Kenner Mayor - Phil Capitano
Crowley Mayor - Isabella Delahousaye
Hammond Mayor - Mayson Foster
Ponchatoula Mayor - Bob Zabbia
Vinton Mayor - David Riggins
Slidell Mayor - Ben Morris
Gretna Mayor - Ronnie Harris
Lafourche Parish President - Charlotte Randolph
St. John the Baptist Parish President - Nickie Monica
St. Tammany Parish Councilmember - Pat Brister
St. Tammany Parish Councilmember - Ken Burkhalter
St. Tammany Parish Councilmember - Jerry Binder
Jefferson Parish Councilman - Tommy Capella
Jefferson Parish Councilman - Chris Roberts
Jefferson Parish Councilwoman - Jennifer Sneed
St. James Parish Councilman - Gladston Bent
St. James Parish Councilman - Heroy Clarke
St. James Parish Councilman - Donald Colomathi
St. James Parish Councilman - Anthony Drummonds
St. James Parish Councilman - Calvin Ellison
St. James Parish Councilman - Glendon Harris
St. James Parish Councilman - Harold Henry
St. James Parish Councilman - Horace Lawrence
St. James Parish Councilman - Gerard Mitchell
St. James Parish Councilman - Trevor Parkinson
St. James Parish Councilman - Milton Russell
St. James Parish Councilman - Charles Sinclair
St. James Parish Councilman - Richard Solomone
St. James Parish Councilman - Michael Troupe
St. James Parish Councilman - Leeroy Williams
Slidell City Councilmember - Ray Canada
Gretna City Councilman - Wayne Rau
Gretna City Councilman - Jonathan C. Bolar
Gretna City Councilwoman - Belinda Constant
Gretna City Councilman - Vincent E. Cox III
Gretna City Councilman - Ricky Templet
Franklin Mayor - Raymond Harris
Thibodaux Mayor - Charles Caillouet
Henri Boulet - LA 1 Coalition
Women of the Storm

There are many good names on this list. However, this should be a bi-partisan issue, especially in Louisiana. Will Louisiana’s Democrats denounce the national Democrats who refuse to support Jindal’s bill? Will Louisiana’s Republicans stand up and denounce any national Republican who votes against our state receiving its due compensation so that we can fund much of our own rebuilding and prevention projects? Rep. Bobby Jindal is a great leader and asset for Louisiana at this time, leading the charge in Congress to reverse the raw offshore revenue deal that was handed to our state, much thanks to the Huey P. Long Administration. One of my favorite Congressmen, whom I truly like and have talked to a couple of times, Ted Poe (R-TX) has signed on in support of Louisiana. I spoke with Congressman Poe back in March about Jindal’s bill, and he gave me every impression that he would support it. Thank you, Congressman Poe, for keeping your word. There are many promenat Democrat Representatives who have not yet given support for Louisiana. Where are the names of Patrick Kennedy, Nancy Pelosi, Dennis Kucinich, and Sheila Lee Jackson? Was all their rants about the President’s lack of support for Louisiana nothing but hot air? Will the Lafayette Democrats please stand up and call out their own party members, or will they just be partisan hacks before being Louisianians? What about our state Republican leaders? Will they call out the U.S. Republicans Reps. who are absent from this list? How about calling out President Bush and demanding that he show some support for Louisiana. Or will partisan hackery keep them from recognizing the state’s needs?

Then we have our state legislators. Any Louisiana state legislator and/or politician who does not sign support for Rep. Jindal’s bill needs to be voted out of office ASAP. Joel Robideaux (I), a very good and very respectable state representative, has signed on his support. Also, respectable State Senators such as Nick Gautreaux (D) and Gerald J. Theunissen (R) have also added their names in support. Where is Francis L. Thompson (D), the man who is wasting hundreds of millions of dollars of state taxpayer money building lakes and giving the promotion jobs to his brother? Wasting millions of Louisiana’s taxpayers’ money and not showing support for Louisiana in its fight for equality in offshore oil & gas revenues should be the recepie for Thompson to have is butt thrown out of office. Where are the names of N.O. Mayor hopefuls, Ray Nagin and Mitch Landrieu? ANY state politician who does not show public support for U.S. H.R. 4761 needs to be sent home without a political “job” ASAP. There are no U.S. Senators’ names on the list of support, yet. Once they get the chance, both Senators David Vitter (R) and Mary Landrieu (D) had better have their names on this list. Louisiana has its best chance, yet, to reverse the current raw deal and earn a just share of the money generated from exploration and drilling off of its coast, and we need all the support we can get, and we, the citizens of Louisiana, should expect bi-partisan support from all of our state politicians and state political activists.