Tensions are escalating in Louisiana’s state government as lawmakers threaten to subpoena and remove members of the Louisiana Board of Ethics. The standoff centers on a controversial decision by the board to proceed with hiring a new administrator before a new set of appointees, including those from Governor Jeff Landry, take office in January.
Louisiana’s Ethics Board Under Fire for Hasty Decisions
The Louisiana Board of Ethics, which oversees the enforcement of campaign finance laws and ethics regulations for public officials, has become a flashpoint in state politics. On Wednesday, members of the Louisiana House and Governmental Affairs Committee expressed their frustration with the board’s decision to hire a new administrator without waiting for new gubernatorial appointees to take office in January. The new appointments will give Gov. Landry greater control over the board, which has had a tumultuous history with him, particularly when he served as attorney general.
Rep. Candace Newell, a Democrat from New Orleans, spoke out against the board’s actions, suggesting that some kind of disciplinary action against the board members was necessary. “There should be some kind of punishments for them,” Newell said during a public hearing at the State Capitol. Other lawmakers have even gone so far as to threaten the removal of the board’s members, pushing for more significant action to address what they see as a lack of transparency and accountability.
Legal Challenges and Subpoenas on the Horizon
This growing discontent with the ethics board has led to legal action. Two state senators, Regina Barrow and Stewart Cathey, are currently suing the board, claiming that it violated open meetings laws by discussing the hiring of a new administrator behind closed doors. A judge has temporarily blocked the board from filling the position while the legal case unfolds.
As the lawsuit progresses, lawmakers have made it clear they are not satisfied with just the legal proceedings. Rep. Beau Beaullieu, a Republican from New Iberia, raised concerns during Wednesday’s committee hearing about who should have the authority to remove board members if they are found to have broken the law. The committee is considering using its subpoena powers to force the board’s chairwoman, La Koshia Roberts, to appear before the legislature to answer questions.
Some lawmakers have also expressed frustration over the board’s investigations into their campaign finance practices. While these investigations remain private unless a fine or charge is issued, lawmakers have voiced concerns about the board’s aggressive tactics. Rep. Dixon McMakin, a Republican from Baton Rouge, voiced his displeasure at the lack of transparency in the board’s actions, calling the board’s lack of public accountability “unacceptable.”
The Board’s Role and Past Tensions with Gov. Landry
The Louisiana Board of Ethics is tasked with enforcing the state’s ethics code, which includes overseeing campaign finance rules and preventing conflicts of interest. However, its relationship with Gov. Landry has been fraught with tension for years. In one of the most high-profile cases, the board charged Landry with failing to disclose a flight he took on a political donor’s plane to Hawaii when he was attorney general. Landry is still in talks with the board regarding any potential punishment for this violation, further complicating the already strained relationship.
Despite the legal battles and public scrutiny, the board’s defenders argue that their actions are in line with their mission to uphold ethical standards in government. Kathleen Allen, the current administrator of the ethics board, pushed back against the accusations of misconduct during the hearing. She explained that the board had complied with state open meetings laws, attributing the confusion to the delay in posting meeting minutes online. “Anything we did during [the private] executive session I feel like is appropriate,” Allen stated, defending the board’s actions.
Accusations of Racial Discrimination within the Board
In addition to the controversy surrounding the board’s hiring practices and legal troubles, there are also personal accusations being thrown into the mix. Rep. Ed Larvadain, a Democrat from Alexandria, accused Allen of failing to hire African Americans on the ethics board’s staff. Allen denied these allegations, stating that she has never directed anyone to exclude individuals based on race or gender. However, Larvadain pointed out that African Americans make up 20% of the ethics board staff, compared to 30% of Louisiana’s population being Black.
This issue highlights the broader racial disparities that persist in Louisiana’s state government. Black legislators have often raised concerns about the lack of diversity in government agencies, particularly in positions of power. The ethics board is no exception, with many questioning whether the board is truly representative of Louisiana’s demographics.
What’s Next for the Louisiana Ethics Board?
As the new year approaches, Gov. Jeff Landry is set to gain more influence over the Louisiana Board of Ethics. This change will likely alter the dynamics of the board, as Landry’s appointees may steer the board in a different direction, one that better aligns with his priorities. The current board, which has already faced criticism for its handling of investigations and transparency, will lose some of its independence when Landry’s appointees take control.
Whether the board will be able to regain public trust remains to be seen. In the meantime, Louisiana legislators are determined to hold the board accountable for its actions, with subpoenas, legal challenges, and even threats of removal hanging over its members.
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