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Missed opportunity characterizes the 2006 Regular Legislative Session. At the outset, hopes were high that the state might finally be forced to reinvent and redesign some of its outmoded and inefficient policies and institutions. But, in nearly every function of state government, the legislature passed over the rare chance for meaningful debate and successful reform. […]
Increasing the oversight and transparency of state spending in response to the massive influx of federal aid has proven to be a formidable task for the Governor. As the state embarked upon its recovery from the hurricanes of 2005, the administration promised two key tools: independent accounting auditors and a Web site to report federal […]
The legislature should close the loophole that gives elected officials access to a perk that is prohibited for other public servants. SB 382 would eliminate a controversial exception in the ethics code that allows elected officials, including legislators, to receive free tickets to cultural and sporting events. The bill passed the Senate overwhelmingly by a […]
Tough ethics laws that keep public officials out of the recovery contracting business will help decrease the appearance of impropriety and help make the case for more federal recovery aid. A House committee got off to a good start last week by unanimously approving HB 1236, which would prohibit elected and appointed state officials, their […]
A bill aiming to repeal a major ethics reform that restricts campaign contributions during legislative sessions is scheduled for a hearing on Wednesday. The law being targeted prohibits campaign contributions to legislators and the governor during regular legislative sessions. The ban, recommended by PAR in 1995, was a key part of the Governor’s 2004 ethics […]
The state needs to enact tough ethics reform to help assure the nation that billions can be spent restoring Louisiana without fear of graft or corruption. PAR has long recommended that public officials and their family members should be prohibited from receiving public contracts, whether competitively bid or not. Current law provides some limits, but […]
Immediately deploying the resources of the offices of the Legislative Auditor, Inspector General, State Treasurer and Department of Revenue to coordinate and monitor federal disaster assistance to Louisiana was an appropriate response to meet the state’s emergency financial oversight needs. But, a more comprehensive oversight plan with independent components and additional contracting restrictions and requirements […]