Delta Regional Authority

 

May 11, 2009

  On Monday, Gov. Bobby Jindal will sign what is likely to be, for northeastern Louisiana, the single most important piece of legislation coming out of the regular session.

 

That the legislation became known in the Capitol as "the chicken bill" is unfortunate and unkind to the 1,300 workers and 300 independent growers whose lives are directly affected. It is, in fact, a jobs bill, and lawmakers, all joking aside, realized that when approving it.

 

The bill changes the rules regulating the state's $414 million megafund — money set aside specifically to attract new industry. Under the legislation sponsored by Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, and shepherded through the House by Rep. Jim Fannin, D-Jonesboro, the governor will be allowed to tap the fund to protect existing jobs.

 

Once Jindal signs the bill, he will be able to fulfill the state's commitment of $50 million to assist Foster Farms acquisition the chicken-processing plant in Farmerville owned by bankrupt Pilgrim's Pride.

 

There's a fine line between saving 1,300 jobs destined to be lost and adding 1,300 jobs to the Louisiana economy. After all, when Foster Farms reopens the plant, it will be hiring 1,300 workers who are, as of Friday when Pilgrim's Pride shut operations, out of work. Still, with any legislation, the devil is in the fine print.

 

The sale process was on hold. Foster Farms would not sign a purchase agreement until it was assured of the state's participation. Certainly, though, the wait for idled workers could have been much, much longer.

 

Walsworth and Fannin expertly guided the bill through the legislative maze. Within two weeks of the session's opening, the bill rushed through the committee process and passed both chambers without amendment. It became the session's first completed bill.

 

Jindal watched the votes in both the House and Senate from the galleries, providing support through his strong presence.

In what amounts to a legislative blink of an eye, the deal is done, and now all of the fears and doubts concerning the plant sale seem to be evaporating.

 

On Thursday, after the House vote, Foster Farms and Pilgrim's Pride signed the long-anticipated purchase agreement. Pilgrim's Pride has agreed to begin placing eggs in the hatcheries immediately, a move to provide as much continuity as possible.

 

When — it no longer appears to be if — the plant reopens, new equipment will be there to greet the returning workers, part of the agreement with the state. Of the $50 million committed, $10 million will be used to modernize the plant, with Foster Farms matching the investment.

 

There are two last hurdles. The Joint Legislative Budget Committee must approve the expenditure. That should happen this week. The bankruptcy court will be asked to approve the sale May 19.

 

Effective leaders got the job done, saving the livelihood of 1,600 people, not to mention the merchants who rely on their purchases and the governments that rely on the taxes generated by the plant — good work that will continue to pay dividends.