Gov. Blanco met with student journalists from across the state Wednesday to take a glimpse into her activities from her first weeks in office, and to answer questions concerning the future of the state.
Among the many issues addressed, the LSU Flagship Agenda was a major topic of discussion.
“LSU is currently regarded as the flagship university in Louisiana,” said Blanco. “It should be encouraged to compete, and is of course already competing quite well athletically, but what we want to see is LSU being among the highest ranking academic universities in the nation.”
Blanco said this will not come without dedication, and strengthening other universities in Louisiana also is a major priority.
Reporters from the University of Louisiana at Lafayette expressed concern about LSU’s Flagship Agenda taking away from research that could possibly be conducted there.
“All the minor universities are able to compete nationally,” Blanco said. “Quality education on every campus is critical. You don’t take resources away from one campus; all the campuses have goals and needs.”
Technical and community colleges play a very important role today, Blanco said. Statistics say that 65 percent of jobs will require more than a high school degree, but not necessarily a baccalaureate. These schools, along with universities, strengthen the state.
Blanco also addressed the concern about the “Brain Drain,” or graduates moving out-of-state in search of better jobs. While Blanco said she does not want to keep people from new experiences, she wants students to know there still will be opportunities for them in Louisiana.
“What we want to create here is an opportunity, so that once you have had your fill of that out-of-state experience, and you have tasted the world, you will be able to have a job to come back to – possibly even better than the one you have experienced elsewhere,” Blanco said.
Job retention also is very critical. If new people are to come into the state, they need to be offered business opportunities, Blanco said.
“Every big business was once a small business,” Blanco said. “There should be opportunities to get small businesses started.”
Keeping existing businesses in the state also is important to the new governor.
“We found out today that State Farm, who employs over 800 people here, will be consolidating to a new location out of state, ” Blanco said. “This is a huge disappointment to all of us, but we made a strong pitch and I know we made it a little more than difficult for them to choose against us.”
Quality education is a huge priority in Louisiana, because it is critical to the state’s economic development, Blanco said.
“Education is economic development,” Blanco said. “Elementary students must successfully graduate to middle school. Middle school students must successfully graduate to high school. High school students must successfully graduate to a technical college, or community college, or a university.”