Louisiana House Demands Accountability in Ethics Board Administrator Selection

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Written By Blue & Gold NLR Team

 

 

Louisiana legislators are escalating their confrontation with the state ethics board over its selection of a new administrator, an issue intertwined with Governor Jeff Landry’s increasing influence over the board.

Members of the Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee criticized the ethics board during a public hearing for not delaying its hiring decision until January, when Landry’s new appointees will have greater control.

The committee’s frustration stems from a restraining order, obtained by two state senators suing the ethics board, that temporarily halts the hiring process. Still, House members are calling for stronger measures, including the possibility of removing board members. Rep.

Candace Newell D-New Orleans suggested there should be consequences for the board’s actions, while Rep. Beau Beaullieu R-New Iberia questioned the process for ousting members.

The ethics board, responsible for enforcing state ethics laws around campaign finance and conflicts of interest, has faced legislative criticism from both sides of the aisle for what lawmakers describe as overreach. Rep. Dixon McMakin R-Baton Rouge criticized the board’s lack of transparency, while Rep. Denise Marcelle D-Baton Rouge suggested using subpoena power to compel the board chairwoman to testify.

Marcelle herself has been fined by the board for campaign finance violations.

Some lawmakers allege the board breached transparency rules by privately discussing the administrator role without a public vote, a claim supported in the lawsuit by Sens. Regina Barrow D-Baton Rouge and Stewart Cathey R-Monroe.

Ethics board administrator Kathleen Allen defended the board’s compliance, attributing confusion to incomplete public posting of meeting minutes.

In January 2025, a new law, backed by Landry and lawmakers, will grant them more direct control over ethics board appointments, replacing a previous system that required appointments from a list proposed by private Louisiana college and university leaders.

This change marks a shift from the board’s traditional insulation from political influence.

 

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