Editor’s Note: Early voting for the Oct. 24 Louisiana gubernatorial election is going on now at parish registrar of voters offices through this Saturday, Oct. 17.
Four major candidates are vying to replace Gov. Bobby Jindal: Republicans Scott Angelle, Jay Dardenne and David Vitter, and Democrat John Bel Edwards.
Louisiana Sportsman magazine asked each candidate to answer some basic questions about how their administration would approach outdoor issues, ranging from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to coastal erosion.
We have run each candidate’s responses online this week, and today we feature David Vitter.
No matter who you ultimately select, please make sure to go out and vote.
David Vitter, Republican
Current position: U.S. Senator
Q: Are you an outdoorsman? If so, what’s your favorite species to hunt/fish? What’s the largest fish you’ve caught or deer you’ve killed (feel free to expand on your experience)?
A: Like most Louisianians, I’d love to have more time for hunting and fishing. Just recently one of my twin daughters and I went on an alligator hunt before she went off to college. We had a lot of fun, and shot five.
My son, Jack, and I have been on some great fishing trips, and I would say the highlight has when he caught a 30-pound dolphin offshore.
Q: What are your thoughts on choosing a secretary for the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries? Should the secretary be a biologist? Should he/she be from Louisiana? What qualifications will you look for?
A: While a scientific background is definitely an added benefit, I do not believe it needs to be a prerequisite for this position. I would be most interested in someone who understands the regulatory framework that governs the LDWF and the ability to produce strong results with its available assets.
Being from Louisiana, and having a strong connection to and understanding of Louisiana’s cultural heritage involving sportsmen’s activities would unquestionably be a necessity for this position.
Q: What do you see as the primary role of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries?
A: Louisiana is known as the Sportsman’s Paradise for a reason, and the (LDWF) plays a huge and important role in maintaining that characterization.
The main role of the department should be to promote the sustainability of these natural assets in a way that promotes their long-term health, while also allowing the businesses that rely on them to thrive economically and for the public to continue enjoying access to recreational opportunities.
Q: The Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries is largely self sufficient, receiving little, if any, state General Fund money. Do you think that is the best formula? Do you support General Funds being sent to the agency?
A: Whether it’s General Fund or self-generated revenues, the fact is that taxpayer dollars are being used to fund the agency.
In this particular instance, I do believe that a self-sufficient LDWF is the best way to remain lean and nimble as a department. And the reason is simple: Despite the state’s current budget crisis, sportsmen in Louisiana are able to count on consistent funding for LDWF because of those self-generated dollars and, as a result, more-consistent administration of programs and laws.
I think the last thing our sportsmen would want is an LDWF having to fight and claw each legislative session for an ever-shrinking pool of General Fund dollars, which could lead to poor administration and lax enforcement.
Q: As you may know, Gov. Bobby Jindal’s administration raided many constitutionally dedicated funds, including the LDWF’s Rigs to Reef Program, in his attempts to balance the budget. Do you support such moves? Would you push to return the $27 million taken from the Rigs to Reef Program?
A: Decommissioned, idle platforms that develop into artificial reefs are becoming an indispensable resource for aquatic life in the Gulf of Mexico. I believe this program is a vital part of ensuring the sustainability of the fisheries off our coasts.
For years now, I have been a supporter of these programs in the U.S. Senate, and have introduced the Artificial Reef Promotion Act, which would streamline the program and ensure we do not destroy these unintended treasures.
As governor, I would reform the state’s program to be efficient and less bureaucratic.
As for the dedicated funds, our state’s budget is in disarray, and I will be looking at a variety of options to fix it. The Rigs to Reef program is important to the state and our coastal economies, and I will certainly find a way to fund it while I am fixing the state’s budget next year.
Q: Coastal erosion is one of the most-pressing environmental issues facing this state. How would you prioritize work to stabilize the fragile marshes along the coast, and what would be your first step in this area if you are elected governor?
A: My very first, immediate step as governor will be to protect the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund from one-time transfers of monies to non-coastal activities.
With the proposed BP settlement and increase in offshore oil revenue sharing dollars, we now have a significant financial means to begin making principled investments in the restoration of our coast. We cannot afford to have that money squandered on budget fixes or other non-coastal activities.
In order for us to move aggressively in restoring our coast, we need to stop studying and debating projects.
As your governor, I would immediately choose three to five resilient, sustainable ecosystem restoration projects — whether straightforward, simpler projects or the large, complicated projects — to accelerate and get shovels in the ground within the next four years.
To accomplish this, I will put together a concrete plan to address uncertainties that may impact planning and implementation time lines for those restoration projects. I will also ensure that plan absolutely articulates any causes of projects delays and negative impacts on time lines, and provide specific solutions to expedite project delivery.
A strong plan with detailed actions and aggressive time lines coupled with solutions to avoid delays will help us make principled investments so we’re not squandering our financial resources.
And I will absolutely be hands-on, meeting with federal, state, and local officials to affect decisions in the best interest of Louisiana.
Click here to read editor Andy Crawford’s editorial about the gubernatorial election.
