One of the most puzzling aspects of Gov. Bobby Jindal’s conduct as the state’s chief executive is his seeming indifference to one of the state’s most important industries — tourism.
In spite of the fact that tourism
is a $10.5 billion industry in Louisiana, the state continually raids
tourism marketing
dollars for special events, such as the 2013 Super Bowl in New
Orleans, according to Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne, who oversees the
Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism.
The Super Bowl event in New Orleans will be Louisiana’s time to shine for the whole world. Why make it difficult for the Office
of Tourism to adequately promote the event, rather than fully funding it to take full advantage of the opportunity?
Louisiana’s state parks also need
to be supported better than they are currently. Louisiana’s magnificent
natural beauty invites
the world to come here, as well as our state’s history, heritage
and culture. We have state parks that highlight all these
aspects of our state, and they have had to operate on meager
budgets. Our state parks should be showcases for our state pride.
While it is commendable for Jindal
to be frugal with taxpayer money, it makes no fiscal sense to damage
agencies that actually
make money for the people of Louisiana, and that are a key part of
economic development and quality-of-life standards. A really
good manager would make cuts to wasteful areas of government, not
the moneymakers.
By being stingy with tourism promotion funds, Jindal could also be hurting the state on bidding on other major events, which
will also need funding.
“This is a long-term need for Louisiana. We cannot lurch from event to event when money is suddenly needed and take it out
of a budget, particularly tourism,” Dardenne said.
He added that it has just been over the past couple of years that the bull’s eye has been placed on the tourism budget.
“Not only does it bring in revenues, it creates jobs and has tremendous intangible impact as people from outside Louisiana
examine our state,” Dardenne said.
State tourism dollars are generated by a 0.03 percent sales tax, Dardenne said. “We are really not investing as we should
and taking advantage of this industry,” he said.
Instead of taking tourism promotion dollars, Dardenne said the state needs to establish some kind of ongoing funding source
to pay for its commitment to special events such as the Super Bowl and Final Four.
That’s a great idea. Let’s make cuts that make fiscal sense, and that don’t hurt our economy. Or, another way to put it, don’t
cut off your nose to spite your face.
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This editorial was written by a member of the American Press Editorial Board. Its content reflects the collaborative opinion of the Board, whose members include Bobby Dower, Ken Stickney,
Jim Beam, Crystal Stevenson and Donna Price.