Former Louisiana Lawmaker Tells Regent “See Ya”!

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — A member of Louisiana's top higher education board is leaving the job Friday, saying repeated budget cuts to colleges have left him too frustrated and cynical to continue in the position.

Vic Stelly, a former lawmaker from Lake Charles, sent an e-mail to members of the Board of Regents announcing his decision. He leaves the board six months before his term was set to end in December.

Stelly lamented cuts to higher education that have stripped state funding by $427 million over the last four years. In his e-mail, Stelly wrote, "I can't see how being frustrated and negative for six more months is to anyone's benefit."

Stelly also submitted a one-sentence resignation letter to Gov. Bobby Jindal, who will choose his successor to the Regents board.