Wants to consolidate programs under one corporation: Gov. Bobby Jindal is proposing a revamp of state spending on housing assistance, under legislation that would consolidate nearly 30 separate programs into management by one state-created corporation. The proposal for the Louisiana Housing Corporation, sponsored by House Speaker Jim Tucker, comes as state and local efforts to rebuild affordable housing in the New Orleans area since Hurricane Katrina have been criticized. A new report released today shows that despite billions of dollars in federal funding for housing, 83% of rents in the metropolitan area are above $800 per month, compared to 50% before the storm, and are thus out of reach for many low-income families. The housing corporation legislation has yet to be filed for the regular session that begins in April, so the details are still unclear.
La. gets an ‘A-‘: Louisiana is one of five states to get an “A” from a national government watchdog group for its efforts to provide transparency and accountability on state spending. The United States Public Interest Research Group, an organization founded by Ralph Nader, graded all 50 states on how well they provide online access to information about government spending. LaTrac, the state’s website, helped Louisiana get its grade and tie for fourth place with Arizona. The other states that got “A”s are Kentucky, Texas and Indiana. To check out LaTrac, go to latrac.la.gov.
