Basically he's asking Jindal and state lawmakers to include legislation in the upcoming "Ethics Reform" special session that would grant his office the same authority through the state that it already technically has via city ordinance. Cerasoli doesn't trust even his "friends" in New Orleans anymore.... likely with good reason.
While he was pleased that the council in September unanimously passed a resolution saying it "supports fully funding" his office and the city ethics board, Cerasoli said he has not gotten clear commitments in recent days from council members to give him $2.9 million next year.
"As I talk to them, they say, 'Yeah, we're for full funding,' but nobody ever mentions a number," Cerasoli said, adding that the appeal in some cases has gone beyond money.
"When I took the job, I knew that I would have to fight for full funding, but I didn't think I would have to persuade everyone all over again that they needed an inspector general," he said.
Something tells me, he could find himself in that very position every year for as long as his tenure in office lasts (assuming it ever begins in earnest).
The end-run to the state level is risky though. Obviously, it's a way to get people's attention. But it could be the sort of thing that sets off a powder keg of political antipathy between local officials and the incoming Governor who was elected, at least partially, on the strength of statewide hostility toward New Orleans. The move by Cerasoli is either incredibly saavy or incredibly destructive. It bears watching.
No comments:
Post a Comment