Ashworth retiring from Louisiana Budget Project, names successor

Louisiana Budget Project Director Eddie Ashworth announced today his retirement, effective in November, and is appointing Times-Picayune capital bureau reporter Jan Moller his successor. Ashworth has headed the nonprofit, nonpartisan group since 2009. Founded in 2006 by the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations, with guidance from the Washington, D.C.-based Center on Budget and Policy Priorities, LBP is one of more than 40 State Fiscal Analysis Initiatives providing research and analysis of budget issues and how they affect low- and moderate-income residents. “Eddie’s contribution over the past two years has been transformative,” says Ann Silverberg Williamson, president and CEO of the Louisiana Association of Nonprofit Organizations. “As a direct result of his leadership, LBP has become a ‘go-to’ source for independent and intelligent analysis of state fiscal issues. His work has consistently pointed our elected leaders toward economic policies that promote prosperity for all Louisianans.” Moller is an award-winning journalist with The Times-Picayune, where he has covered the state budget, health-care, higher education and races for Louisiana Governor and U.S. Senate seats. The LBP is based in Baton Rouge. For information about the group, visit its website here.