WAFB Channel 9, Baton Rouge, LA |Jindal takes 33 out-of-state trips

Jindal takes 33 out-of-state trips

By Caroline Moses - bio | email

BATON ROUGE, LA (WAFB) - Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal has taken 33 out-of-state trips since taking office in January 2008, according to records obtained by WAFB 9NEWS.

His travels took him to 16 different states as well as Washington, D.C. The travel listing, provided by Jindal's office, included 15 trips classified as "campaign events." The governor visited Washington, D.C. on nine occasions. He made four trips to both Texas and Florida.

The trips that were classified as "campaign events" were paid for using Jindal's campaign funds, his office said. A family vacation to Disney World in Orlando was paid for by Jindal personally, his office reported.

Taxpayers paid for the troopers from Louisiana State Police who accompanied Jindal on those trips to provide protection. That protection is required by state law. Through March 2009, the taxpayer expense for state trooper protection during Jindal's out-of-state trips was nearly $150,000, according to a report by The Associated Press.

On trips that required him to be out of the state for more than a day, he sent a letter to Louisiana Lt. Governor Mitch Landrieu to inform him of the trip. He has sent 18 of those letters since taking office.

"Throughout this trip, I plan to be in continuous communication with my staff," Jindal said in each of the letters. "Should circumstances arise in which I am unable to do so, my office or I will apprise you. If you deem it necessary to contact me, please call my office or the mansion, as they will be able to reach me at all times."

Here is a complete listing of Jindal's trips, according to information released by his office. 

TRAVEL DURING 2008:

WASHINGTON, D.C.
JANUARY 24-27
Washington Mardi Gras and Congressional delegation meeting and press conference

CALIFORNIA
JANUARY 27-28
Koch Industries speech

WASHINGTON, D.C.
FEBRUARY 23-24
NGA Conference

DALLAS, TX
APRIL 16-17
RGA (Republican Governor's Association) event

LOS ANGELES, CA
APRIL 27-29
"Tonight Show with Jay Leno"

WASHINGTON, D.C.
MAY 1-2
National Press Club Speech

LOUISVILLE, KY
MAY 17-18
NRA speech

PHOENIX, AZ
MAY 23-25
McCain ranch

WASHINGTON, D.C.
JUNE 17-18
Meeting with Congressional Delegation

CHARLESTON, S.C.
JULY 30
Nucor Meeting

DETRIOT, MI
AUGUST 15
GM meeting

WASHINGTON, D.C.
SEPTEMBER 23
Meeting with Congressional Delegation and Press Conference following Hurricanes Gustav and Ike

JACKSON, MS
OCTOBER 2
Campaign event

FLORIDA
OCTOBER 11
Campaign events

HOUSTON, TX
OCTOBER 13
Campaign events

WASHINGTON, D.C./GREENWICH, CT
OCTOBER 24-26
Campaign events

MIAMI, FL/CHICAGO, IL
NOVEMBER 12-13
Miami:  RGA Meeting/Chicago:  U.S.-China Chamber of Commerce Trade Conference Speech

IOWA
NOV 21-23
Flooding recovery tour in Cedar Rapids and Iowa Family Policy Center Annual Dinner Speech in Des Moines

PHILADELPHIA
DEC 1-2
Governors meeting with President Obama

SAN ANTONIO AND HOUSTON, TX
DEC 4-5
Campaign events

WASHINGTON, D.C.
DECEMBER 9-10
Campaign events

TRAVEL DURING 2009:

HENLEYFIELD, MS
JANUARY 28
Campaign event

RALEIGH AND CHARLOTTE, NC
FEBRUARY 4
Campaign events

ARKANSAS
FEBRUARY 6-7
Campaign events

WASHINGTON, D.C.
FEBRUARY 21-23
NGA conference/Governors meeting with President Obama

FLORIDA
FEBRUARY 25 - MARCH 1
 *** This trip was out of the Governor's personal funds for his family vacation ***

CALIFORNIA
MARCH 3-4
Campaign events

WASHINGTON, D.C.
MARCH 24- 25
NRCC speech  (National Republican Congressional Committee)

KANSAS CITY, MO, CHICAGO IL
MARCH 31 - APRIL 1
Campaign events

PHOENIX, AZ
APRIL 6-7
Campaign events

NEW YORK, NY/BOSTON, MA
APRIL 15-17
Campaign events

DESTIN, FL
APRIL 18
Campaign events

DALLAS AND AUSTIN, TX
April 21-22
Campaign events

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