[StBernard] Jindal to veto whistleblower bill

[Westley Annis]

Jindal to veto whistleblower bill

By MARSHA SHULER
Advocate Capitol News Bureau
Published: Jun 11, 2010 - Page: 8A

Gov. Bobby Jindal will veto legislation that would allow the identity of
those who file ethics complaints against government officials and employees
to be disclosed, a governor's spokesman said Thursday.

Jindal's press secretary Kyle Plotkin issued a statement in which he said
the governor shares Louisiana Board of Ethics concerns that the change would
deter the reporting of possible violations of ethics laws.

House Bill 758 sponsor state Rep. Nita Hutter, R-Chalmette, said Thursday
she was surprised. She said she would try to convince Jindal to reconsider.

"The constitution guarantees you the right to know who your accuser is,"
Hutter said.

The legislation received final legislative passage Wednesday when the
Louisiana Senate endorsed the House-passed measure on a 29-6 vote.

Earlier, the Louisiana House approved the bill on a 91-3 vote.

Jindal vetoed similar legislation by Hutter last year.

Hutter said she "took Jindal at his word" about his objections to her
legislation last year and stripped it of the offensive provision to make it
more palatable. She said the governor said he supported the concept in  last
year's veto message. 

Jindal's office acknowledged the bill alteration.

"While this bill is more limited, we share the Ethics Board's concern that
requiring the name of the complainant to be released could have a chilling
effect on reporting potential violations," according to a statement issued
by Plotkin.

Opponents said disclosure could expose those filing complaints to
retribution and people be less likely to come forward.

Hutter said she disagrees. "Wouldn't you want the recognition and 'Thank
you, Mary Smith?'," Hutter asked. "It's not to be onerous."

The law would affect those who file conflict of interest, nepotism or other
complaints of unethical conduct against governmental officials and
employees.

Under HB758, once ethics cases are concluded, the accused can find out who
filed the complaint against them.

Conclusion of the case means the Louisiana Board of Ethics could have
decided not to conduct an investigation; the time period for investigating
has elapsed; the matter is settled by a consent opinion; or a decision has
been reached about whether a violation has occurred.