INDReporter

Gov. Jindal begins Louisiana statewide tour

by Walter Pierce

Gov. Bobby Jindal says he plans to visit all 64 Louisiana parishes in the coming months.

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Gov. Bobby Jindal says he plans to visit all 64 Louisiana parishes in the coming months, as part of a statewide tour.

The Republican governor's first stop was Monday in Alexandria.

At a local community college there, Jindal signed a bill that authorizes $252 million in new construction funding for 29 projects in the community and technical college system, outside of the traditional budget process that other colleges must follow.

Jindal's statewide tour comes after repeated criticism that the governor, considered a possible 2016 presidential candidate, has spent too much time away from Louisiana, campaigning in other states.

The governor's office says during his statewide tour, Jindal will tout economic development projects, education initiatives, transportation projects and bills passed in the recently-ended legislative session.