Governor Bobby Jindal capped off an important week dedicated to fighting to make sure every child in Louisiana has the opportunity to get a great education. Governor Jindal addressed hundreds of students at a rally on the steps of the State Capitol in support of the Louisiana Scholarship Program that gives school choice to thousands of Louisiana families. The hundreds of students who participated sent a powerful message to the Legislature about the importance of fully funding the Scholarship Program. The Louisiana Department of Education also made a great announcement that charter school applications have doubled this year. Finally, the Governor announced yet another economic development win for the state – a new crude oil terminal to be built in St. James Parish.
Here Is A Quick Recap Of The News About The Governor’s Week:
Governor Jindal Spoke At A Rally On The Capitol Steps In Support Of The Louisiana Scholarship Program. “Governor Bobby Jindal joined hundreds of parents and students at the Louisiana State Capitol to show support for the school voucher program. They took part in a rally Wednesday sponsored by the Black Alliance for Educational Options. The theme of “You Promised…” was aimed at state legislators, to get them to find a new funding source for the scholarships. “This is about pursuing the American Dream,” Gov. Jindal remarked. “This is making sure that every little boy, every little girl out here, has a chance to go to a great school.” Gov. Jindal’s message Wednesday was that all children, regardless of their background, deserve a chance at a quality education.
- Watch Governor Jindal’s Speech At The Rally Here: www.youtube.com
Read This Op-Ed By Howard Fuller, Founder Of The Black Alliance For Educational Options, About The Importance Of Fully Funding Governor Jindal’s School Choice Program. Again, we want to remind elected officials of the promises they made to the children when they agreed to create the scholarship program in order to give the neediest families of Louisiana access to high-quality educational options. We do not want to see the dreams of our children deferred or destroyed. We want their dreams to flourish. We want them and their dreams to be nurtured and validated. We want the poorest children to be able to get the education they need in order to truly live the life of freedom this country offers.
- Watch ABC Baton Rouge Coverage Of The Rally Here: www.youtube.com
The Louisiana Department Of Education Stated That Twice As Many Organizations Have Applied For Charters This Year As In 2012. Seven of the country’s strongest charter school operators—including two with proven track records of success in New Orleans—have applied to open charter schools in north Baton Rouge. The groups are among 35 organizations that have applied for charters to operate 100 new schools in 19 parishes across Louisiana, according to a news release from the Louisiana Department of Education today, which notes that nearly twice as many organizations applied for charters this year as in 2012. Locally, where many public schools are failing, the number and quality of applicants is particularly significant, according to charter school advocates. They credit the interest, in large part, to the efforts of New Schools for Baton Rouge, a community partnership focused on bringing in charter operators to improve public education in north Baton Rouge’s so-called Achievement Zone…
New Employment Data Show That Louisiana Private Sector Employers Have Added Jobs Year-Over-Year For 32 Consecutive And The Labor Force Continues To Grow. The Louisiana Workforce Commission said in a news release that Louisiana’s civilian labor force remains near its highest level since 2005. The state’s private employers have added jobs year-over-year for 32 consecutive months. Among sectors with the largest gains were construction, with 10,200 jobs, and trade, transportation and utilities, with 5,700 jobs, the workforce commission said. A separate survey of households released by the BLS shows Louisiana’s seasonally adjusted civilian labor force — the total number working or looking for work — was 2,091,501 in April, an increase of 6,006 over the year. The April total is just 18,500 shy of the highest level since Hurricane Katrina in 2005.
Governor Jindal Announced That Wolverine Terminals Will Be Building A $30 Million Crude Oil Terminal In St. James Parish. A $30 million crude oil terminal and blending operation is expected to be completed in St. James Parish by the middle of next year, Wolverine Terminals LLC and state economic officials said this week. The project is slated to generate 20 new direct jobs with an average annual salary of $62,000, plus benefits, Louisiana Economic Development said. . . . “This project is more great news for St. James Parish and our entire state,” Gov. Bobby Jindal said in a news release. “Wolverine Terminals joins a long list of companies that recognize Louisiana as the best state in the country for a top-notch workforce, an unmatched energy infrastructure and an outstanding business climate.”
