Jindal spares money for New Orleans Saints while slashing health care and education funding.
Jindal spares money for New Orleans Saints while slashing health care and education funding.
Recently, Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal (R) released his budget for next year, calling for cuts in higher education and health care for the uninsured and disabled in order to plug a $1.3 billion shortfall in revenue. Already, hospitals are laying off workers. Yet Jindal is managing to spare some funds for his favorite football team:
The Jindal administration wants to use $85 million of a state surplus as well as pay up to $6 million a year to keep the Saints football team in Louisiana, lawmakers said Wednesday. The deal, described by legislators briefed on the offer, would require the state to pay far less than the $23.5 million the team is receiving in annual cash inducements. … Several lawmakers were critical of the proposal, which coincides with a budget crunch threatening health care and higher education with substantial reduction.
Jindal claims that the team generates millions in revenue every year, but he has pledged to preserve budget-busting tax cuts for upper-income individuals and businesses. State Rep. Karen St. German asked, “Again, behind closed doors, we’re supplementing a multimillionaire. When do we stop the madness and worry about education and health care?”
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the GOP: Football is more important than education and health care
April 30th, 2009 at 8:48 pmPriorities, priorities.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:48 pmIt’s good to see that he’s not wasting money subsidizing volcano monitoring in his state.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:50 pmGeaux Saints!
April 30th, 2009 at 8:50 pmI am Canadian and I can’t understand how much public money gets used to build sports stadiums. Lobbying is why I suppose. Even the new Yankee stadium used public funds – hell, the players could have built the thing!
April 30th, 2009 at 8:52 pmThis is the Republican version of bread and circus.
Meaning, they tax you for the circus and charge you for the bread.
But hey, at least Republican voters get to feel proud their town has a football team. Who needs affordable health care when you can watch Football Sunday on Fox?
April 30th, 2009 at 8:52 pmHow many Louisianans will be able to afford tickets to a Saints game this coming fall?
April 30th, 2009 at 8:53 pmI’m not surprised by Jindal’s actions. He’s another GOP man willing to keep the residents of LA poor and dumb.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:54 pmWho needs affordable health care when you can watch Football Sunday on Fox?
Not if you can’t sell out the stadium. No TV for you locally. NFL rules.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:55 pmI wish I could say this is just a Republican problem but it’s not. Many communities fork out ungodly amounts of taxpayer dollars to keep football teams, major manufacturers, and other “good businesses” in the community. The business then subsequently milks the taxpayers for millions of dollars then move somewhere else in the country as soon as they get a better offer. It is sickening. It is just one of many examples of how our elected officials are not looking out for our best interest.
This is particularly egregious from a governor who doesn’t like government handouts. What a hypocrite.
PS. I love the Saints. I don’t like the Governor.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:55 pmJindal: Keeping the children away from school is what we do!
April 30th, 2009 at 8:56 pmThe only chance that lower-class children have of getting ahead is education. Cutting the education budget is unforgivable.
April 30th, 2009 at 8:57 pm“…Even the new Yankee stadium used public funds – hell, the players could have built the thing!”
Livelongandprosper, thanks for the laugh, you’re right! I’m a Mets fan, and so I’m now paying CitiGroup for our new ballpark but can’t afford to go to a game. :(
April 30th, 2009 at 8:57 pmWe can afford to subsidize pro sports but not health care?
April 30th, 2009 at 9:00 pmIsn’t that the republican way? No compassion or care for persons, but definitely support wealthy money-makers in all forms.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:03 pmThey just continue to reinforce the low opinion most Americans have of them.
What does it say about our society that we can spend billions for entertainment while cheering and squeal like little piggies over spending less money for health care?
Next time you get sick, call a quarterback?
April 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pmJindal is using Northeast Liberal Elite tax money to fund his state’s football team?
Jindal sounds an awful lot like those welfare recipients who buy lobster with their welfare checks. Spit.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:05 pmJindal’s just trying to get the jocks to like him.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:06 pmThe voters seem to like Jindal taking care of his Republican Party while they suffer so who are we to complain.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pmPro sports does bring mega bucks into a given city. Most of it in the service sector, motels, rental cars, restaurants and gimcrack sales.
Just the area the Republicans want to bolster. Pay the servants just enough to keep them happy.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pmHoodathunktick Says:
Next time you get sick, call a quarterback?
Don’t be silly. Quarterbacks don’t make house calls either. ;)
April 30th, 2009 at 9:08 pmJindal = epic hack
April 30th, 2009 at 9:11 pmWait, dont most of these pro football players have college degrees?
What is wrong with Jindal?
April 30th, 2009 at 9:12 pmJindals dream team:
Player: Coach, whats this playbook say?
Coach: Just do what the pictures show.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:14 pmXisithrus Says:
Wait, dont most of these pro football players have college degrees?
In what? Basket weaving?
April 30th, 2009 at 9:14 pmGOP priorities, the common man is to be stepped on, after all it was their choice to be common.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:15 pmWell, given the previous admin I would rank that higher than a MBA.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:15 pmDont forget dog fights..
April 30th, 2009 at 9:17 pmWhy would the state any amount of money worth of “cash inducements”?
Haven’t Republicans told us, ad nauseam, we shouldn’t rely on government handouts? And that we should let the “invisible hand” take care of everything?
Whatever happened to letting the free markets reign supreme?
Republicans = economic hypocrites
April 30th, 2009 at 9:17 pmThey have found it its easier to just pay off some government officials and merge business and government…socialized bidness.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:19 pmThe Republicans have given new meaning to the old saw about something that is free is worth what you pay for it.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:19 pmHoodathunktick Says: Pro sports does bring mega bucks into a given city. Most of it in the service sector, motels, rental cars, restaurants and gimcrack sales.
In most cases, actually there is NO incremental dollars from a pro sports franchise. Local residents just actually move their entertainment dollars around, so if they go to a pro game instead of an amusement park that month. And not that many people go on the road to follow their team, so hotels, etc from visitors tends to be pretty low for most matchups.
The only real incremental spending is hosting an event like Super Bowl and that assumes the stadium is already in good condition, etc.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:21 pmBobbie Jindhal is all about show. He really thinks that if the Saints bring in money, his state is worth something.
Welcome to corporate America. Screw the people, we look good when the cameras are on us.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:27 pmJindal claims that the team generates millions in revenue every year, but he has pledged to preserve budget-busting tax cuts for upper-income individuals and businesses.
There are a few things wrong with Gov. Jindal’s thinking. First of all, the highest-income people do not need a tax cut. They are already making plenty of money, and to want more is nothing more than selfish greed. There is no moral justification for giving wealthy people more tax cuts. None.
Secondly, businesses pay taxes on their profits, not their gross income. Any tax breaks given to them would likely go straight to the shareholders, who are often among the wealthier ones already getting a tax cut (though not always).
Still, when you have extra money, you don’t give it to a football team all at once. How many years will it take to get that $85 million-plus? How much good could have been done with that money in the meantime?
If this is how you plan to run the country, Governor, you can forget about being elected president.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:35 pmJust pathetic. to the nth degree
April 30th, 2009 at 9:50 pmWow! So the New Orleans Saints are more important than volcano monitoring and the elderly, underprivileged, and other needy people.
What a horses ass!
April 30th, 2009 at 9:51 pmWTF!! Jindal should be stopped, this is highway robbery.
April 30th, 2009 at 9:55 pmdamn.
another distraction.
justice souter plans to retire.
breaking, on rachel…
April 30th, 2009 at 9:59 pmhe is the new repugs!
April 30th, 2009 at 10:00 pmHere is an interesting article on the different ways that sports teams are subsidized.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:14 pmIncredible how so many can get caught up in meaningless sports. It is out there in the high schools also where the jocks can do no wrong and unethical deeds are done in the name of sports. But to literally fund sports before education and health care especially in LA is insane.
April 30th, 2009 at 10:14 pmThis is more of Bush’s Compassionate Conservatism:
April 30th, 2009 at 10:32 pmAll children left behind. All friends and supporters get the favors.
katy Says:
damn.
another distraction.
justice souter plans to retire.
breaking, on rachel…
Supreme Court Justice Souter To Retire
April 30th, 2009 at 10:45 pmAnd this is the guy that the GNOP wants to run for Prez in 2012?
April 30th, 2009 at 10:55 pmBring it on.
Republicans only want to spend money on projects where they are likely to get kickbacks or donations or future job offers. They give health benefits to average people they get nothing in their pocket.
April 30th, 2009 at 11:03 pmHow *very* typical.
Fcuk the Republicans! (H/T to Buckie Boy)
April 30th, 2009 at 11:07 pm“Welcome to Calcutta Jr., my friends.
To which caste do you belong?
You will either be granted a number of slaves or be set on fire according to your answer.
You are most welcome.
Please come again.”
April 30th, 2009 at 11:36 pmIsn’t Jindal the Exorcist-In-Chief of Louisiana?
Well, duh, no wonder he’s for the Saints.
April 30th, 2009 at 11:57 pmFootball over people,you just got to love the Republiscum Channel……this is one despicable human being along with the rest of the hate filled,racist bigots of the Republiscum party, this guy Jindal and the others like him are so far right of center they are past the margins and are in nowhere land.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:21 amTypical GOP solution to problems.
They are adding space to the Superdome so more people can fit after the next Hurricane hits, instead of spending the money on infrastructure or other useful things that can save lives.
May 1st, 2009 at 1:27 amIf football teams make so much money, how come they always need government money to stay where they are?
May 1st, 2009 at 3:45 amDear lord, Jindal is such a loser!
BTW – I don’t know anything about sports. So, umm… what are you guys talking about? (0).(0)
May 1st, 2009 at 5:19 amThanks Sites Sesli Sohbet
May 1st, 2009 at 5:56 amSesli Chat
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A big greedy corporation with no loyalty to a regional area is like a virus – it sucks up all natural resources until their all gone and then moves to another “host” region only to absorb more. The only thing that kills a virus is prevention or the host dying off. I prefer prevention.
Laws need to be enacted to keep corporations from being disloyal to the regions they “infect”. Or, we the people must become able to “survive” without them. I know, this is VERY grass-roots thinking but, it might be the only way to gain accountability. The WalMarts and Home Depots are destroying those community trading posts and it’s very sad to see.
May 1st, 2009 at 7:18 amI can just see it now on Recovery.gov
Louisiana Football Stadium: Denied – considered one of those “PORKY little things”.
May 1st, 2009 at 7:27 amI never understand this logic. If the teams are generating millions of dollars every year, why do they need OUR money? I think there should be a nationwide ban on building stadiums and giving cash incentives to sports franchises. Once these greedy owners stop looking for “greener pastures”, this madness stops. It amazes me, how these teams, both collectively and individual player alike, want us to be fans, but will leave in a minute for the bigger money somewhere else. Hint: They really don’t love us back.
May 1st, 2009 at 8:34 amAmericans can do anything.
If they cannot afford to see a doctor, they can heal themselves.
If they cannot afford an education, or the public education system is underfunded, they can educate themselves.
If you recall, the Republicans and corporatist DINO’s evicted a large proportion of the New Orleans low-income population in 2005 in attempts to exploit the situation to bring in less “primitive leeches”. Since the real estate confiscated after Katrina has been hoarded for development instead of being rebuilt so many can return home, my assumption is Jindal thinks only rich people will be able to afford to move to New Orleans, and they won’t need things like health insurance or public school education.
Americans can do anything to other Americans regardless of how disgusting it is.
May 1st, 2009 at 8:47 amThank God I live in Canada!!!!!! Thats all I can say!
Residence of Louisanna…just to let you know…our goverment pays 75% of tution for higher education and 100% of health care!!!
Thank god I live in Canada!!!! Where people come first, not corporations!!!!!!
Oh before I go….Jindal, your nothing but a piece of shite!!! Anyone who cares more about a football team, then the children of Louisanna is the devil,scum,shite faced idiot!!! ERRRRRRRRRRR I’M SO F***EN pissed at this idiot!!!
May 1st, 2009 at 10:44 amWe need an end to neoliberal policies. Until that happens, people everywhere will continue to struggle against the @ssholes who promote these limited forms of govt.
Period.
May 1st, 2009 at 10:51 amThere is so much of this type of spending going on that it makes one’s head spin. I have no doubt that government has plenty of money for essential services, but officials refuse to let go of prestige projects like this so they make cuts in less glamorous programs. It’s easy to spend other people’s money.
May 1st, 2009 at 11:28 amJust one more republican with ‘priorities’ that screw the little people and put money in the pockets of the rich.
May 1st, 2009 at 11:48 am5. livelongandprosper Says:
59. NOLIESPLEASE Says:
How can we spend money on supporting teams of millionaire players playing to make money for billionaire owners ? How can LA pay for the Saints while removing money for Healthcare. And how can TX under Gov Bush condemn residential property to build a tax-paid stadium ?
Only because we don’t live in a backward socialist county like Canada where they waste the money on social goods!
/SNark
May 1st, 2009 at 12:04 pmConsidering the lack of funds extended to rebuild the flooded portions of NOLA, iincluding the lower 9th, I still predict massive land condemnations for casinos.
May 1st, 2009 at 12:05 pmI have NO LOVE for Jindal at all. TOTAL embarrassment!!
BUT, the Saints are clearly a net gain to the finances of the state and much more importantly to the City of New Orleans. The city has still not recovered from Katrina, and the Saints are a primary economic impact.
So down with Jindal in general, but this time he got it right. The real people screaming to throw out the Saints are the religous fundamentalists from north Louisiana.
\
May 1st, 2009 at 2:38 pmThey should all do it like the Packers and have the local government own the team. Then it goes nowhere.
May 1st, 2009 at 6:04 pmsesli sohbet sesli chat
May 2nd, 2009 at 12:47 amFederalism rules here. Like it should. If the Louisiana voters don’t like Jindal’s ideas, they can vote him out next time. The voters in Louisiana will make that call. Here, in California, we have our own problems.
May 2nd, 2009 at 2:20 pmJindal is concerned about the jobs provided by the New Orleans
May 6th, 2009 at 6:48 pmSaints,but not about jobs provided by the Movie Industry.
The Movie Industry provides thousands of jobs in New Orleans,
Baton Rouge,and Shreveport.Jindal and The Louisiana Legislature haven’t raised the Production Tax Incentive to
30%.Therefore the Movie Companies are in the process of
relocating to Georgia and michigan,because they’re states
that provide the higher incentive.Louisiana spends
115 miillion dollars to generate 763 million dollars in
business activity.The bulk of state money spent was from
a reduction in taxes for the movie companies.Therefore this
is money provided only because movies are being made in
Louisiana.The Louisiana State Government is trying to deal
with a billion dollar deficit,so they’re going to shut down
the Movie Industry in the process.It was announced today that
Paskal Lighting,a movie service company in Shreveport,will be
relocating to Atlanta,Georgia.