Louisiana Voice

Once upon a time the State of Louisiana owned a vast scrap yard in the middle of nowhere.

The Legislature said, “Someone may steal from it at night.”

So they created a night watchman position and hired a person for the job.

Then the Commissioner of Administration said, “How does the watchman do his
job without instruction?”

So they created a planning department and hired two consultants, one person
to write the policy manual, and one to do time studies.

Then the governor said, “How will we know the night watchman is doing the tasks correctly?”

So they contracted with a Quality Control expert and hired two people:
one to do the studies and one to conduct motivational workshops.

Then the Legislative Fiscal Office said, “How are these people going to get paid?”

So they created two positions: an HR director and a payroll officer, then hired two clerks.

Then the Inspector General said, “Who will be accountable for all of these people?”

So they created an administrative section and hired three people: an
Administrative Officer, an Assistant Administrative Officer, and an in-house
Legal Counsel.

Then the Legislative Auditor said, “We’ve had this agency for one year
and we’re $918,000 over budget. We must cut back.”

So they laid off the night watchman.