"Jindal: Nation's Noticing Work", By Greg Hilburn, NewsStar.com

BATON ROUGE — Gov. Bobby Jindal, who spent last week making appearances on "The Tonight Show" and in front of the National Press Club in Washington, said America is taking notice of Louisiana.

"We're finally getting national attention in a good way," Jindal told more than 400 people from northeastern Louisiana who attended the annual Northern Exposure citizen lobbying event at the Louisiana State Museum on Tuesday.

Jindal said the ethics reforms and business tax reductions enacted during two special sessions have set a national tone that will benefit northeastern Louisiana.

"That makes a difference on Wall Street to those who are considering investing in the (Franklin Farms Industrial Megasite) and in the ability of the (University of Louisiana at Monroe, Louisiana Tech University and Grambling State University) to recruit top students.

"The work done so far has helped restore people's trust in their government."

During the ongoing regular legislative session, Jindal said the state can beef up its work force by transforming its labor department and community and technical college system.

"The No. 1 priority in this session is work-force development," Jindal said. "We're working hard to attract companies to the megasite, and there are many things in our favor.

"But one question that comes up over and over is our ability to provide a skilled work force. When we (enact) these work-force development initiatives, I'm going to be able to guarantee companies that we'll provide that trained work force. We'll either pay for it or give the companies the money to pay for it."

Jindal again brushed aside suggestions that he might be among those being considered as a running mate for presumptive Republican presidential nominee Sen. John McCain..."There's been a lot of speculation, but I want you to know that you're not getting rid of me so easily," he said. "I like the job I have."

Jindal first spoke during Northern Exposure while a member of former Gov. Mike Foster's administration in the 1990s.

"When I first spoke at Northern Exposure, it could be held in a meeting room. It's grown tremendously since then," Jindal said. "It gives the opportunity for people making decisions in Baton Rouge the ability to hear firsthand the impact those decisions have on northeastern Louisiana. It's a reminder from the people there: Don't forget us up here."