Jim Beam Column: The pet draft system is unfair – American Press

A local parish councilman in the area asked me a question in an email message that I have never received in my many years of covering the Louisiana Legislature. He said he read Wednesday’s article about the $92.7 million that lawmakers are spending on so-called pet projects at home.

“I’m curious how I can help my city apply for ‘pet projects,’” he said. “I believe we are missing this opportunity and I would like to know how to participate. Thanks in advance.”

I called the city councilman and explained to him how these projects were managed.

Lawmakers approve a number of appropriations bills each session, starting with House Bill 1, the state budget. There are also incidental appropriations, supplemental appropriations, and appropriations for the legislative branch and the judiciary.

Pet bills, which typically appear in one of the first three bills, are this year in House Bill 782, the supplemental appropriations bill. The House Appropriations Committee added these projects to the bill.

When the bill reached the Senate, the Louisiana Illuminator reported: “The Louisiana House had already added more than $40 million to the proposed budget last month, and the Senate’s changes appear to significantly increase the number and the size of these allocations. »

As is the case most years, the news agency said these projects, also called “designations,” include local golf courses, schools, courthouses, fraternal organizations and community organizations. nonprofit that otherwise would not receive state funding.

Members of the House Appropriations Committee and the Senate Finance Committee are usually the first to add projects to this bill. Non-governmental organizations (NGOs) must submit applications for these funds.

I told the regional advisor that Republican state Reps. Dewith Carrier of Oakdale, Chuck Owen of Rosepine and Troy Romero of Jennings were on the Appropriations Committee. Senators Mark Abraham and Jeremy Stine, both of Lake Charles, are on the Finance Committee.

I had gone through HB 782 and secured appropriations for cities, parishes and political subdivisions in Allen, Beauregard, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jeff Davis and Vernon parishes.

I told the councilman that his town had received significant funding for street rehabilitation work and suggested he talk to local legislators on both finance committees if his town wanted additional funding next year.

One can’t help but wonder how some of these NGO projects can benefit from state money. Bridge House Corp., for example, expects $300,000 for operating expenses. I googled this one and it seems to be an organization in New Orleans that helps men and women rebuild their lives.

The Monroe for United Way of Northeast Louisiana will receive $75,000, but it appears to be the only United Way on the long list.

Festivals for Good Corp. will receive $375,000 for marketing and promotion. I looked that one up and it’s a non-profit organization that donates their festival profits to charity.

A number of economic development districts are receiving up to $250,000, and Heroes of New Orleans will receive $250,000 for after-school programs. JRF Outreach will receive $400,000.

The Bogalusa YMCA will receive $200,000 and the Baton Rouge Art Gallery will receive $500,000. The Lakeshore Indians Booster Club for the Lakeshore Playground is awaiting $2.5 million. The PLEASE Foundation will receive $262,000.

The McDonogh 35 Alumni Association will receive $25,000 for initiatives supporting students, teachers and schools. Tea Time Etiquette LLC will receive $50,000 for youth initiatives. Knights of Columbus Post 4874 in Ponchatoula will receive $10,000.

These appropriations are just a sample of the many projects receiving public funds that do not have a strong connection to state government operations.

For some strange reason, organizations that received money in previous legislative sessions haven’t filed the necessary paperwork to get it. The Illuminator reported that state Treasurer John Fleming warned last month that his office was still struggling to disperse $165 million in similar projects from years past.

These NGOs may be doing useful work, but there are many others doing the same things who receive no government funding. It is high time to reform or eliminate this arbitrary giveaway for pet projects.

Jim Beamretired editor-in-chief of American press, has been covering people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or [email protected].