Roundup: Legislators, Judges, Teachers, Spies, and Governor Edwards

The legislature got the ethics ball rolling with HB1, which will require strict financial disclosure for pretty much everyone in the Louisiana government - even judges. And the judges are not happy, especially Justice Kimball.

They also eliminated free tickets, forced legislators to recuse themselves from votes where they might have a conflict of interest, and, among other disclosures, will have to explain purchases over $1000.

Another measure is more problematic: the effort to withhold pension funds from officials convicted of felonies raises some serious concerns. Namely, the bill could affect, for example, spouses and children of a teacher who is sentenced to prison, as well as Governor Edwards, if passed retroactively.

Ethics Board Chairman Hank Perret continued his campaign to keep the Ethics Board the way it is.

And, if you hadn’t heard, we have spies among us.