Meeting Scratched On Land Sale Sought By Jindal

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Next week's meeting to discuss Gov. Bobby Jindal's plan to sell property across from the Louisiana Capitol has been canceled, after concerns were raised about the sale.

A recent appraisal valued the site at $2 million less than Jindal expected, and some lawmakers are expressing reservations about selling the former insurance building site rather than using it for government office space.

A joint House and Senate natural resources committee meeting set for Nov. 9 was canceled Friday, a day after the Senate chairman, Sen. Gerald Long, called the sale controversial and said lawmakers have unanswered questions.

Jindal needs committee approval for the sale.

Michael DiResto, a spokesman for the Division of Administration, says the administration is getting a new appraisal and wants to give lawmakers time to review the proposal.