Transparency in all aspects of government is vital to our democracy.

A recent package of bills that promoted increased transparency in Louisiana’s judicial system died recently.

Proponents said the bills would have opened up court spending and judges’ personal finances.

Opponents within the judicial system said the bills were pointless because the finances are already public record.

The three bills would have required the following:

l Judges to post personal finance reports online.

l State courts to prepare annual finance reports detailing where they get their money and how it’s spent.

l Louisiana’s Supreme Court to report on a website information regarding court contracts of $10,000 or more for goods and services.

The bills were backed by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry.

The bill that got the most attention was the requirement for judges to post their personal finance reports online, which is already a requirement for the state’s elected officials and lawmakers.

While LABI members said it is a necessary step, judges said it will make them more susceptible to harm.

LABI members argued that while the personal finance reports are available through public record, they should be more easily accessible.

“It will open up taxpayer transparency,” said Will Green of LABI, as reported by The Advocate.

Supreme Court Chief Justice Bernedette Johnson said requiring a public records request allows judges to know who is requesting the information.

“We have violence against judges,” Johnson said. “All we are asking for is the opportunity to be aware of who is asking for personal information.”

It seems both could be accomplished -— a barebones report of a judge’s personal finances could be posted with personal information redacted.

As for the other two bills, court officials said they already submit yearly audits and that further reporting would cost significantly more money.

Both sides appear to make valid points, but Louisiana, just as all government, must make every effort to be as transparent as possible and avoid all hint of impropriety.

(MGNonline)