Mr Twigg added that "with the economy flat-lining... a proper school building programme would be good for pupils and good for jobs".

BBC: School rebuilding record 'woeful', says Labour

Mr Jindal apparently promised not to touch the pay rise if lawmakers supported a bill, dear to his heart, that created a school-voucher programme for impoverished New Orleanians.

ECONOMIST: Bobby Jindal��s broken promises may cost him dear

He proposed individual job-training accounts and a school-voucher programme.

ECONOMIST: Lexington