Lawmakers: Ethics laws too strict for volunteers

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: May 8, 2008 - Page: 1A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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Unless the new disclosure laws are changed, few will want to serve on state boards and commissions, which some state senators said Wednesday would reduce public involvement in government operations, senators said Wednesday.

Gov. Bobby Jindal needs to get involved to fix problems created by the governor’s ethics package, said state Sen. Lydia Jackson, comments to which other senators agreed.

“We need some engagement from the fourth floor if we are going to resolve these matters and we have got to resolve this with some speed,” said Jackson, D-Shreveport. The governor’s office is on the fourth floor of the State Capitol.

The new ethics laws require state boards, which are populated primarily by unpaid volunteers, to disclose their personal financial dealings. The reporting is at the same level as legislators and other elected officials.

Jindal did not respond to three requests for an interview made through his press secretary, Melissa Sellers. Neither did his office answer six specific questions.

Sellers in a prepared statement said, in part: “There are many positions on Louisiana’s boards and commissions, and of course, some turnover is common and expected.”

The issue came up in Wednesday’s Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee meeting when the panel considered two bills that would reduce the level of disclosure required for members of state boards.

The committee postponed action on the measure for a week.

Committee chairman state Sen. Bob Kostelka, R-Monroe, said the measures could be used to solve the problem if some kind of agreement could be struck among lawmakers and Jindal.

Under state law, each appointed member of a state board or commission that has authority to expend, disburse or invest more than $10,000 in funds in a fiscal year must file annual financial statements.

Appointees must generally disclose income, liabilities, property, investments and other personal information for themselves, their spouses and entities in which they have an interest.

That level of detailed reporting is causing trouble.

Senate Bill 741 would reduce the reporting required for members of the Board of Supervisors of Community and Technical Colleges. The bill, sponsored by state Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, would require members to report only income from gambling interests and government contracts.