Expenses for the governor's state police security detail have gone up under Gov. Bobby Jindal, as he travels across the country raising his profile for a possible presidential campaign.
Col. Mike Edmonson, the head of the Louisiana State Police, says his agency spent $2.2 million on travel expenses related to Jindal's protective detail this year.
He says that level has stayed consistent in recent years. But it's up from $1.5 million for former Gov. Kathleen Blanco and $1 million for former Gov. Mike Foster.
The increased travel expenses came up Tuesday during a House Appropriations Committee hearing on the state police budget.
Several lawmakers, particularly Democrats, have questioned why the state is paying costs related to Jindal's extensive travel if the trips aren't tied to his work as governor.
