Tuesday, April 11, 2006
“Was this a problem or something before this?”
ADVOCATE
by Marsha Shuler
(excerpt)
The House advanced on Monday a bill aimed at stopping elected officials from benefiting from government contracts for hurricane rebuilding work.
The House voted 62-31 for the legislation, under which the elected officials could not get campaign contributions from those getting the contracts over which they have control.
“It was drafted for the purpose of government reform” to avoid “even the appearance of an impropriety,” said Rep. Gary Beard, sponsor of House Bill 850.
“I think it speaks to the people of Louisiana, the people of this nation that funds are being spent solely to meet the needs of our people,” said Beard, R-Baton Rouge.
“Everyday we keep raising our hand and saying we don’t steal,” said Rep. Cedric Richmond, D-New Orleans.
Richmond said he’s tired of all the ethics legislation filed in the wake of the hurricanes aimed a potential wrongdoing by public officials.
“Was this a problem or something before this?” Richmond asked.
