Senator: ‘Ledger’ blog use illegal

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 11, 2009 - Page: 1A

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A Republican state senator Wednesday accused the Jindal administration of advocating the governor’s agenda on a political Internet blog paid for taxpayers.

“It is a Web site for the purpose of pushing and implementing Gov. Bobby Jindal’s policies. That’s not legal,” said state Sen. Robert Adley, of Benton. “It’s against the law to use taxpayer money to further a proposal or proposition.”

Adley said the administration is using the blog, called “The Ledger,” to defend Jindal’s proposed budget cuts.

Adley said the blog, which is part of Jindal’s Division of Administration Web site, presents false information and editorially attacks higher education advocates and the Council for A Better Louisiana, which have been vocal against college cuts.

“To attack CABL and our universities, you should be ashamed for that,” Adley said as he took “personal privilege” to complain about the situation as the Senate opened its afternoon session.

Jindal, a Republican, declined comment through his press office. Jindal’s communications director, Melissa Sellers, referred questions to Michael DiResto, author of “The Ledger” and communications director of the governor’s Division of Administration.

“It’s not political,” DiResto said. “It doesn’t request anybody to vote one way or the other on an issue. … What it does do is highlight the administration’s position and the efforts of the administration on fiscal issues.

“It does advance the administration’s position,” DiResto said.

DiResto said the financial data presented on higher education cuts is information provided by the governor’s budget office.

“It provides factual data. It poses questions for readers to consider based on that information,” he said.

Higher education and CABL officials have both said the information does not reflect the true extent of proposed cuts to colleges and downplays the reality of what could be $219 million in reduced state dollars.

Adley noted the blog has no capability for readers to express opposing views and information.

“No appropriation can be made except for a public purpose,” Adley said as he quoted the Louisiana Constitution. “Editorializing your political view is not a public purpose.”