We must have missed Eric LaFleur’s speech in which he said he would seek a pay raise if promoted from the Louisiana House to the Senate last fall.

He was among 20 senators voting to accept House changes and pass a raise doubling his pay, effective July 1.

Before we go any further in an expression of our disgust with LaFleur and his counterparts on both sides of the Capitol let us express appreciation to Sen. Don Cravins, Jr., Sen. Nick Gautreaux and Rep. Mickey Guillory.

They said no to the raise from the get-go, and held their ground despite insistence by the looters in their midst that good government demands higher pay.

And so now Louisiana, its rank-and-file struggling to cope with rising fuel costs, climbing grocery prices and adjustable mortgages gone skyward, ranks among the top tier of legislative pay.

The majority of the 134 men and women who make the state’s laws have figured out a way to beat the economy.

They have raised their annual pay by $20,700, to $37,500, while retaining their $143 per diem while in session and for attending any government-related meeting, and $6,000 annually for expenses and $500 monthly for office expenses.

Recession? What recession?

As for the rest of us, it appears we’re on our own.

Legislators will get by with doubled income because the 21st Century Galahad who was going to bring ethics and fair play to Baton Rouge is taking a pass.

Gov. Jindal says he’s opposes the raise, but won’t interfere in legislative housekeeping.

Posh.

Jindal needs to climb down off his white high horse and get his feet in the mud.

Seldom does principle mix so well with politics as it does in this case.

Governor, do the right thing.