End annual efforts to stop work of IG

The American Press

Louisiana’s inspector general shouldn’t have to fight to keep his office open every time the Legislature meets, and one legislator hopes to end the attacks. Lawmakers have tried twice since 2012 to eliminate the government watchdog office.

Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Kenner, is sponsoring House Bill 443, a proposed constitutional amendment that would lock IG funding into the state budget.

The bill would fund the office at its 2015 level of $2 million and would increase it according to the Consumer Price Index.

Voters will have an opportunity on Oct. 14 to approve the amendment if the bill makes it through the Legislature. The measure, approved by two committees, is awaiting action in the full House.

“Do you think it’s proper for the government watchdog to have to ask for its funding from the government? The answer is categorically no,” Stokes said. “This office may be funded at the moment, but it is one big investigation away from having someone out of our 144 legislators try and defund it.”

The Center for the Advancement of Public Integrity says if inspector generals are to fulfill their responsibilities, they must be independent and able to investigate freely within the scope of their authority.

“In the three-year period leading up to the 2016 budget process, the Louisiana IG worked many successful criminal cases, had a 96 percent conviction rate on federal criminal cases and averaged more than five times the amount of its state general fund appropriations in fraud and corruption identified,” the center said.

Critics continue to insist the office duplicates work of the state attorney general and legislative auditor. But IG Stephen Street said the cases he handles incur the wrath of people in the Legislature and that elected officials are reluctant to investigate others holding public office.

Stokes made one of the best arguments for protecting the IG funding. She said the amount is a “mere .0007 percent” of the state budget and creates a truly independent agency.

Legislators need to quit playing games with this office and go along with Stokes’ plan to end the almost annual attempts to wipe it out.

End annual efforts

to stop work of IG

SportsPlus

Jim Gazzolo

Jim Gazzolo column: Parity no cause for concern

Local News

US taxpayer funds went to foreign competition for domestic shrimpers

McNeese Sports

Cowboys look to regain touch

life

Hobo Hotel for Cats charity auction set for Saturday

Local News

Firefighter training to be offered to high school junior, seniors

Local News

LCPD complaints delay vote to reappoint police chief

Local News

Karlee Campbell curates a classroom for students where they feel welcomed

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls suffer double loss

life

SW La. nightlife calendar: There’s always something to do

Local News

Trump announces commission on religious liberty, White House Faith Office

McNeese Sports

Traveling man

Local News

Jennings High Key Club using grant to increase access to books

Local News

Program aimed at helping city workers buy homes

Local News

Several area schools named after Black education pioneers, local legends

Crime

LC man accused of going on crime spree

McNeese Sports

Back to their roots

Jim Beam

Jim Beam column:Second Harvest news unsettling

Local News

Meet the candidates: Five throw hat in ring for mayor’s race

McNeese Sports

SLC games set for McNeese

McNeese Sports

Cowgirls look for four-peat

Local News

UPDATE: Drug charges against veterinarian cleared of rape dropped

Local News

Cassidy, Senate committee advances Robert F. Kennedy Jr. nomination to be health secretary

Business

Waffle House adds surcharge to eggs as massive bird flu outbreak leads to soaring prices

Local News

Federal judge blocks enforcement of La. police ‘buffer-zone’ law