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Power Struggle Breaks Into Open

screen capture, S. Lincoln

“Contracts, contracts, contracts—this is the way to clean it up.”

What had been a behind-the-scenes struggle for control of state government broke out into the open in House Appropriations Monday morning. 

Republican Caucus chairman Lance Harris brought up his resolution to require the executive branch to start terminating all state contracts by March first.

“The best way to find out what we’re spending, and what we’re spending the contracts on is to go ahead and terminate them and have you justify keeping them,” Harris explained.

Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne told the committee, “I’m already doing it.”

Dardenne informed lawmakers the governor issued an executive order on February 14th, requiring all departments to report on their contracts by March 14th. The order gives Dardenne the authority to cancel any he can.

But by March first?

“To be able to make any kind of determination regarding termination or modification within that time frame is just not realistic,” Dardenne advised. “And I need to tell you it’s unreasonable for this body to expect that between now and March first, these agencies and departments can get this information in. It’s going to be pressing them to do it in accordance with the Governor’s order by the 14th.”

Dardenne urged lawmakers to change the due date on their resolution to March 14th, to coincide with Governor John Bel Edwards’ order.

But Harris, clearly agitated, replied, “We’re being told to come up with a remedy of a $2.1-billion deficit and a $945-million deficit this year, in three and a half weeks! You get to work and get us the information that we require to make sensible decisions!”

The resolution, which is not eligible for the Governor’s veto pen, was ultimately approved by the Appropriations committee.

“We will not have time to look at every one of these contracts and give you any definitive answer by either the first or the 14th,” Dardenne warned. “I can tell you, that’s not going to happen.”