LABI CONFERENCE- The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry held it’s annual meeting in Baton Rouge yesterday… an event billed as having top leaders in business, government, education, and in the community gather for innovative and thought-provoking conversations. One topic was Government spending accountability and more specifically to have Louisiana’s budget transparency model something already in place in Ohio called the ”Ohio Checkbook"
which has an easy-to-navigate / user-friendly menu complete with slick graphics. It’s something that State Treasurer John Schroder wants for Louisiana. "From buying a pencil to buying an automobile, I think the citizens of Louisiana ought to be able to see it." The newly-elected Louisiana state treasurer says with transparency comes more accountability and he feels that could change spending habits. The Louisiana Association of Business and
Industry is behind the idea. They're one of the more powerful groups inside the state capitol. Its president Stephen Waguesbeck says it's all about rebuilding people's trust in government."How do you rebuild trust? First thing that starts is being truthful, putting the information out there." Governor Edwards' who appeared at the conference luncheon said he doesn’t oppose the concept…and his administration is already working on something similar. (LaTRAC) But Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne explained getting all agencies on the same page isn’t as easy as it sounds…The Associated Press reports back during Bobby Jindal’s administration…a statewide accounting and management computer system was begun that has cost the state $100 million so far and isn’t finished. Dardenne says it will cost another $26 million to complete. But GOP lawmakers want legislation describing the plans for the “Louisiana Checkbook” website, and they've said they'll tie support for tax bills to its passage.