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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 […]
Consolidation of New Orleans’ seven assessors into a single office ranks high among the meaningful reforms that the legislature must pass this session. New Orleans stands alone in having seven constitutionally-protected assessors, while all other parishes operate with only one. Consolidation of these offices is a good first step toward achieving more uniform assessments, streamlining […]
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 […]
Records held by a long list of agencies within the governor’s office should be subject to the public records law. The state’s “sunshine laws” are the tools that allow citizens to participate in key public decisions and to hold government accountable. The public records and open meetings laws help ensure that actions taken by public […]
PAR has just released an overview report on three critical areas of health care delivery that profoundly impact the cost and effectiveness of health care in Louisiana: charity hospitals and the uninsured, primary and preventative care and long-term care for the elderly and disabled. The report entitled “Hurricanes and Healthcare Reform: Can Louisiana turn a […]
PAR’s 2006 Annual Conference and Luncheon created an opportunity for state leaders and decision makers to discuss hurricane recovery and preview plans for rebuilding. This year’s conference, held at the Holiday Inn-Select in Baton Rouge on April 5, focused on practical solutions to recovery and governmental oversight in rebuilding. Click Here to read PAR’s Summer 2006 […]
The Bureau of Governmental Research and the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana today released a joint report—Municipal Bankruptcy in Perspective. The report examines the potential role of bankruptcy as a tool to help restore fiscal stability in those Louisiana local governments hardest hit by the storms. It provides a brief overview of federal and […]