The Louisiana government is trying to get a billboard criticizing Gov. Bobby Jindal for not expanding Medicaid under Obamacare taken down.
The New Orleans Times-Picayune reported that Louisiana Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne sent a cease-and-desist letter to MoveOn, the liberal organization that paid for the billboard, demanding that the billboard be dismantled. It is currently stationed alongside Interstate-10 near Baton Rouge.
The sign states: “LOU!SIANA Pick your passion! But hope you don’t love your health. Gov. Jindal’s denying Medicaid to 242,000 people.”
Dardenne alleged that the sign was confusing because “Pick Your Passion” is one of Louisiana’s official tourism slogans and it is registered as a trade service by the state.
“I’m simply not going to say it’s ok,” Dardenne said.
MoveOn has refused to remove the billboard, according to the Times-Picayune.
“It’s pretty clear the First Amendment protects this sort of speech,” Nick Berning, the group’s communications director, told the newspaper.
Dardenne said he would consult with legal counsel before deciding what to do next.
