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What I will remember about the last Louisiana Board of Ethics to serve before this year’s reforms is the fact that 10 of 11 members walked off the job. [And the media was all in a tizzy.] Fact is, the change is not a bad thing. With the new laws and procedures, it seems appropriate to have a new crop of commissioners who have a new perspective and aren’t wedded to the way things were done in the past.

But the mass exodus seemed a result of their unwillingness to live by the new disclosure rules [which would be ironic]—or they’re simply pouting since they didn’t get to keep all their power as prosecutor, judge and jury. Either is a sad excuse to up and quit.

I am always impressed with an employee who is leaving who wraps up matters at hand in a very professional manner and exits with style on a positive note. That was not the case with this board.

There are currently 123 cases being investigated. The new administrative law judges who will rule on cases of alleged state ethics law violations are supposed to be in place by Aug. 15, but the board has to select those. This board was derelict in its duty to complete that before they conducted their “walk-out.”

By law, the presidents of private colleges in Louisiana provide nominations for the ethics board. They have 60 days to nominate candidates, and the governor and Legislature have another 60 days to make appointments. This board could have served until the ALJs were named and their board replacements too. That would have ended their tenure with class.

As I said, cleaning house is not a bad thing. This board has a checkered past. They are often mocked by blogger C.B. Forgotston as “The heh, heh, heh ethics board.” In addition, last year, the board allowed its administrator to quit rather than reveal his clients, and then rehired him in a new role that didn’t require disclosure. At the time, Rep. William Daniel said, “That is just the ethics board having worse ethics than the people they are investigating.” Pollster and commentator Bernie Pinsonat said, “This deceitful and untrustworthy board should resign or the sign outside should read the Louisiana Unethical Commission meets here!”

Fortunately, as I said, change can be a good thing. So long, kiddos.

Over PAR for the course

I have been a member of the Public Affairs Research Council for many years and have used their research, particularly when it comes to Constitutional amendments. They have done some good work.

But the recap of the past legislative session, by Jim Brandt, head of PAR, regarding education matters was total garbage. His comments proved he knows nothing about education reform.

Despite the dismal state of public education, look at what PAR lists as its accomplishments since 1950 [when PAR began] on its Web site [www.la-par.org] under “Public Education Reform”: 1] Creation of the Quality Education Trust Fund [8g]; 2] An appointed state superintendent of education; 3] Modernization of vo-tech facilities; 4] Four-year concurrent terms for the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and local school boards; 5] Initiation of school progress reports; and 6] Tighter controls on the Quality Education Trust Fund with limits on administrative costs.

In 58 years, those are the six reforms in education they take credit for. This all proves my point: that PAR, like many organizations, doesn’t even understand what education reform is. So how can Jim Brandt release a report and claim little reform was done in education this session and call the innovative programs passed “dubious?” Has Brandt gone crazy or been brain-washed by the unions?

Charter schools have been proven as a vehicle for reform for a decade. This session, the cap on number of charter schools was raised to 70, funding was improved and for-profit companies can now operate public schools. There was also a flexible pay initiative introduced, as well as a principal leadership program and dual enrollment programs. That is BIG reform for Louisiana. But the most major education reform in the history of our state was the establishment of $10 million in Student Scholarships for Education Excellence allowing children in failing public schools a choice to go to ANY school—public or private. That is “status quo-shattering reform” in any state by any measure. Except, of course, PAR’s.

There was also a $1,019 raise for teachers in the budget, but I personally don’t consider more money for every teacher—good and bad—a reform. Maybe Jim does.

Fact is, for those of us who have been fighting for reforms [and against the unions and the archaic parish systems] for the past 20 years—before Brandt was even at PAR—this was a year of major victories we have long awaited. Gov. Jindal, Rep. Don Trahan, Sen. Ben Nevers, Rep. Austin Badon, Superintendent Paul Pastorek, The Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, LABI and others are to be applauded for historic education reform.

Brandt and PAR need to go back to school and get educated on “reform.”

The Paramount is back

Are you old enough to remember going to see movies downtown at the Paramount theater? It used to be a tradition on Friday nights with my family growing up. Well, on Friday, July 18 and 25, at 9:15 p.m., you can enjoy “Paramount in the Park”—and it’s free. An outdoor movie in Lafayette Park at the Shaw Plaza. Preceding the movie each week from 6 to 9 p.m., will be live music. You can check out the bands as well as other activities downtown in July. It’s all part of Mayor Holden and the Arts Council’s “Summer in the City” program. Baton Rouge is coming of age.

Under the Big Top

Mark your calendar for Thursday, July 17, from 10 a.m. until 1 p.m. at the River Center for the United Way Campaign Kick-off. There will be Hollywood Hal & Rhinestone Al, music, jambalaya [just $3], free rides, games and attractions for the kids. Bring the family and help us kick-off this year’s United Way campaign for the capital area. You can check out all the details at

www.thewaytohelp.org.

Baton Rouge proud

I want to say how proud I am once again of our entire team at Business Report. At out annual national convention [Alliance of Area Business Publications], Business Report brought home the “silver award” for Best Business Newspaper, finishing right behind New York City. The competition is judged by the Columbia School of Journalism at the University of Missouri. Our team, led by Executive Editor JR Ball, won four other awards as well. We all believe, when we win, Baton Rouge wins—and we’re proud to represent our Capital City.