More transparent public records bill dies

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jun 5, 2008 - Page: 7A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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A Senate panel defeated legislation Wednesday that would have dramatically increased the number of governor’s office records available for public scrutiny.

The state Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee voted 3-2 against approving the House-passed measure aimed at improving the state’s ranking as one of the worst in the nation when it comes to transparency of records in the governor’s office.

Proponents noted how much Gov. Bobby Jindal says he likes good rankings when it comes to disclosure laws and transparency.

But Jindal’s executive counsel Jimmy Faircloth told the panel that the administration favored a Senate bill that keeps more governor’s records off-limits to the public.

State Sen. Mike Walsworth, R-West Monroe, is sponsor of the competing open records bill, Senate Bill 629. It has been sitting on the Senate calendar awaiting debate since May 6.

Faircloth testified against HB1100 by state Rep. Wayne Waddell, R-Shreveport, which had the backing of the Louisiana Press Association and the League of Women Voters.

Waddell’s bill would have put off-limits those records under the custody of the governor, his chief of staff and executive counsel. Otherwise, the records would have been publicly available.

“If we are going to put transparency on every elected office, official, we have got to start with the top,” said Waddell. “If we are going to make a new image, let’s make a new image.”

Faircloth said Waddell’s bill goes too far. He also said the use of “records under the custody and control” terminology causes problems.

“How on the 4th floor do we interpret what that means?” asked Faircloth. For instance, he said his secretary often handles papers. “The records that escape my office, they are subject to outside examination.”

Waddell said he doesn’t understand what is so secret about governor’s office documents. Already off-limits are records dealing with economic development, homeland security and inspector general’s office documents connected with investigations.

Carl Redman, executive editor of The Advocate, testified for the LPA, saying the press association favored keeping Waddell’s bill alive in case something happened to Walsworth bill.

Redman said the LPA would prefer legislation that did not single out individuals whose records would be private but rather decisions be based on the kind of records involved.