Treasurer Kennedy Supports Ending the Expenditure of State Funds for Earmarks

Kennedy Pushing Legislature to Pass SB 106 Requiring Full Disclosure of Projects
 

BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy supports ending the expenditure of state funds for earmarks to non-profits, and is calling on the Legislature to pass SB 106 requiring full disclosure of these projects.

“The Legislature appropriates at least $30 million a year on earmarks, and possibly more, because they are spread throughout the budget,” said Treasurer Kennedy. “That money could be better spent elsewhere like roads, schools, coastal restoration and workforce training. For example, a $30 million annual income stream could support a $300 million bond issue that could be used for roads or the Morganza to the Gulf Flood Control System.”

When the Legislature hammers out the state’s budget each year, lawmakers can add hundreds of pet projects to the General Appropriations bill. Earmarks to nonprofit organizations receive virtually all of their revenue from state government grants sponsored by individual legislators but are funded without much disclosure or public notice.

“The question isn’t whether or not these organizations do some good in our state, it’s how efficient is the job they are doing,” said Treasurer Kennedy. “If the state is going to continue to give money to these non-profit organizations, at the very least taxpayers statewide deserve full disclosure about these projects.”

Treasurer Kennedy supports SB 106 by Sen. Dan “Blade” Morrish that would require complete disclosure of detailed information about any proposed state funding for an entity that is not a budget unit or political subdivision of the state. The bill would require entities to submit information about how the money will be used and who will benefit. Each funding request would also have to include budget information, project goals and objectives, and information about connections with elected officials.

“We have a new Administration and a new Legislature that has proven they can work together to make state government more transparent,” said Treasurer Kennedy. “I hope they will continue the process during the Regular Session with the support and passage of SB 106.”

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