Senator Donahue

Senator Jack Donahue   -  District 11

 
  In the first session we took on the subject of ethics and I think the results are generally acclaimed as very good. Although I have not seen anything on it myself, I have heard that we are now the state that has the toughest ethics laws in the country. You can, however, expect to see some problems showing up soon with just how to carry out the mandates of this sweeping legislation. The Governor has committed the appropriate funding for this process and he is a man of his word. The problems that I see are the massive changes that will require a new staff with additional office space. It is now required that all public officials, including Boards and Commissions, submit detailed financial information. Just how much information has to be submitted by an individual has to do with the type of job you have but the bottom line is that the Ethics Board will be sifting through reams of information. I know that because these news laws were passed so quickly there will inevitably be mistakes which will have to be corrected by the legislature. We need to give the situation time but I definitely believe we are on the right path.

  The second session was a dream opportunity to spend surplus dollars where it would have the most dynamic and dramatic effects on this state and I feel that was accomplished. We invested in new technology with the Pennington Biomedical project and we put up $300,000,000 to match with federal funds to start to take care of our coast. My favorite part was the infrastructure where we invested more than $500,000,000 with a lot of this amount going to new roads. The I-12 corridor alone received more than $135,000,000 with $ 35,000,000 going to the I-12 in the Slidell area!

  The new session is beginning on March 31. I have a number of bills that I am working on, and I am inviting you to tell me what new legislation you think needs to be addressed. Please give me your thoughts of what legislation needs to be passed.

  I am truly honored to represent you, thank you.

Senator Jack Donahue
Senate District 11