Gov. Bobby Jindal spoke Sunday afternoon to the Louisiana Legislature afternoon about being “bold” in the special session that began that evening. He called for drastic changes in ethics laws and told lawmakers strict regulations will have a positive impact on every facet of the state.
The Legislature was tasked with passing the types of ethics regulations Jindal spoke about this week. Everyone can easily stand up and applaud ethics reform. The rhetoric brought forth by Jindal advocated “boldness,” “change” and said “there is no room for failure.”
“We all received a mandate from the people of our great state,” Jindal said. “You heard it. I heard it. We all heard it. They gave us a mandate for change and that change begins now”
House and Senate members present for the speech applauded Jindal’s call to change.
Giving speeches, standing and clapping are easy things to do.
Several bills have been stalled or killed after five days as the details of legislation become an issue. Members of the Legislature have raised concerns about some of the legislation, debating on details, as is their job. Ethics are not black and white, and deliberation over the issues will provide the best final product. They have insisted specifics be negotiated before passage.
They include Jindal’s primary pushes – legislation that would require lawmakers disclose their income and a ban on members from making contracts with the state.
Both were delayed despite being slated for a vote Thursday afternoon. Members are demanding the Jindal administration tweak some issues.
The state has hit a critical point in ethics reform. The applause and rhetoric are over. The time for real action has arrived.
Both sides of the argument need to sit down at the table and come to agreements that are best for the state. It is expected that disagreements would arise about the specifics of the legislation. But unless action is taken to make meaningful compromises, this session, the rhetoric and mandate will be lost.
Unless both legislators and Jindal sit down and find the best middle ground, this state will continue to suffer from a lack of the legislation needed to move us forward.
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