Rep. Schroder responds to recall petition filed

Covington state Rep. John Schroder, who’s vote to double lawmaker’s salary likely fueled his own recall petition filed this week, said he respects the public’s right to question governmental leaders, but is now focused on future goals.

“I recognize and welcome the right of any citizen to question his or her government leaders,” Schroder wrote in a statement after the petition was filed Wednesday. “I believe, when the entire story is told, voters will see that the legislature accomplished many positive things during the past 6 months. We still have much to do, and I look forward to continue helping the Northshore – and our state – address its most critical needs.”

Mandeville residents Roy and Nicole St. Paul, of 14 Ibis Lane, filed a recall petition after Schroder after voted in favor of a 120 percent raise from $17,500 to $37,500, Jacque Berry, secretary of state spokesman confirmed Thursday.

Roy, listed as the recall’s petition chairman, and Nicole, as it’s vice chairman, filed the paperwork by mail, Berry said.

The public outcry over the proposed pay raise erupted on talks news stations and newspaper editorials. It only seemed to calm when Gov. Bobby Jindal vetoed the entire measure, leaving it dead in the water. Still, upset residents like the Pauls filed recall petitions statewide, Schroder’s being the fourth still active.

A call to Roy and Nicole’s residence was not returned Thursday.

Schroder, who limited his response to the statement, previously told the St. Tammany News he voted for the raise to attract quality legislators to Louisiana, not to boost his own paychecks. He seemed to follow his own words when he signed the affidavit declining to accept the money.

“I didn’t do what was best for John Schroder, I did what was best for the body,” he has said. “You can’t expect anybody to spend the amount of time we spend in Baton Rouge and not make more money. It’s hard to understand what goes on here unless you are here. But it’s common sense.”

A successful recall petition would require 11,208 names, or 30 percent of registered voters in Schroder’s district, to sign the petition within 180 days from Wednesday.