Sometimes it seems like the Jindal administration has been all about wooing business and industry, and then keeping them happy. What do those hoping to succeed Jindal plan to do in the way of economic development?
“My administration will focus on job creation and economic development,” Scott Angelle says. “We have made great progress in that area, but I think we need to do more.”
David Vitter also says it will be an important goal, if he’s elected governor.
“I would continue that focus on economic growth and job creation, but shift it a little bit: not focused any more on incentives, but focused on capacity building.”
Jay Dardenne agrees with the need to shift focus.
“Those jobs have been created now as a result of the commitments we have from people to come to Louisiana. We’ve got to make sure that our citizens, our young people, have the right tools and skills to be able to satisfy the needs of industry,” Dardenne states.
And how do they propose to do that?
“Keying job performance and job opportunities with higher education,” Dardenne says.
Angelle says he’ll focus the resources on Louisiana’s community and technical colleges.
“60% of the jobs we’ll create over the next ten years will require more than a high school diploma, but less than a 4-year degree,” Angelle says, by way of explanation.
Vitter simply says, “We need to basically triple what we’re doing very quickly.”
John Bel Edwards says linking higher education to workforce initiatives sounds good, but implementing it may not be that easy. After all, state funding for higher education has been cut an estimated $700-million since 2008.
“Now there’s not a workforce development initiative that you can think of that benefits from that level of reduction in funding,” Edwards observes.
“The truth is you fund your priorities. Don’t just listen to what people say their priorities are. Look at what gets funded.”
Noting that business incentives have been the state’s apparent funding priority, Edwards says he will change the process for offering benefits to industry.
“The state of Louisiana should never offer tax incentives that allow people to come into your local communities, build a business and thereby save on local taxes unless you have agreed to that.”