Scores of state, local officials quit over law

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Jul 1, 2008 - Page: 6A - UPDATED: 12:05 a.m.

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More than 100 state and local government officials resigned Monday in the wake of a new state law requiring them to disclose their personal finances starting today.

The Secretary of State’s Office reported receiving 132 resignations, mostly from unpaid members of boards but also including two elected officials.

The office expects to process more resignations today, spokesman Jacques Berry said.

Those subject to the new ethics law had to resign by Monday night to avoid filing the disclosure statements.

Tangipahoa Parish School Board members Danny Ridgel and Robert Caves are the only elected officials who have filed papers so far, Berry said.

The parish School Board must appoint interim replacements for the two because the deadline to call a special election was June 20, Berry said.

The list includes people quitting a variety of state boards ranging from the Board of Regents to the Lottery Board to the Louisiana State Arts Council and the Capital Area Human Services District.

Ten out of 11 members of the Louisiana Board of Ethics have now quit, with Dolores Spikes becoming the latest to leave.

The Arts Council and the Capital Area district were particularly hard hit by resignations — 11 and eight, respectively.

Victor Bussie left the University of Louisiana System Board, and William Clifford Smith, the Louisiana Board of Regents. Larry Cager left the Louisiana Lottery Corporation Board, and Jay Hardman the Louisiana Airport Authority.

The new law is also hitting local boards.

The Lafayette City-Parish Council received 17 resignations Monday, including four from the ambulance service advisory board, three members of the Lafayette Convention and Visitors Commission, two each from the Cajundome Commission, Lafayette Metropolitan Express Commission and the Metropolitan Planning Organization committees.

Those quitting are complaining about the new law that requires them as volunteers to disclose some of their private business dealings.