As House Bill 780 continues to gain steam in advance of a vote by the full House of Representatives Wednesday, Governor Bobby Jindal, a major supporter of LSU's preferred new facility plan, unexpectedly weighed in to extol the bill's virtues.

Rep. Rick Nowlin (R -Natchitoches) proposed HB 780 to protect private property owners threatened with expropriation from overzealous and irreversible demolitions on the proposed hospital site by requiring LSU to get legislative approval of a detailed financing plan prior to proceeding with the land acquisition process. Since LSU remains hundreds of millions of dollars short of the financing required to complete construction and since so many have raised questions about the university's ability to raise those funds, Nowlin's bill could also serve to accelerate a resolution to those pressing issues.

Today, Governor Bobby Jindal spoke to reporters and conceded that LSU's so-called business plan remains insufficient. See Bill Barrow's full report in the Times-Picayune here. Listen to Governor Jindal here.

"They will tell you they have a business plan," Jindal said of the university system that runs the state's public hospital system. "My point is that they need more details." 

"I do think we need to move forward," Jindal said. But he added that Nowlin raises a legitimate concern about cobbling together the footprint with many lingering questions surrounding the project.

SaveCharityHospital.com supported HB 780

in the Health and Welfare Committee and will work for its passage in front of the full Legislature. The bill is a pragmatic and responsible measure that protects homeowners and taxpayers from the harm caused by projects abandoned half-finished after money runs dry.