Following is something I dreamed up in my spare time. It’s a fantasy that, unfortunately, I know will never happen. But still, we can dream. This is an imaginary letter from the governor to all cabinet members and department heads that would do so much to burnish his—or any governor’s—image. Like I said, it’ll never happen:
From: Office of the Governor
Sent: Monday, November 13, 2017 7:00 AM
To: All cabinet members, department heads, supervisors
Subject: ADVISORY: Consider yourselves to be on probation—permanently
Some of you may have noticed that I have experienced considerable difficulty obtaining legislative approval of any of my programs.
Even the most novice political observer would agree that this has nothing to do with the merit of my proposals, or the lack thereof. Instead, the Republican leadership in the House and Senate are determined that they will block any meaningful legislation from a Democrat governor, no matter how beneficial it may be for the citizens of Louisiana. The defeat of a member of the opposition party takes precedent over progress every time. That, unfortunately, is the reality of politics.
To see the Republican leadership promoting the Koch brothers and ALEC agendas while the state teeters on the precipice of financial disaster similar to—or worse—than that which has occurred in Kansas is both frightening and depressing. The federal budget and tax proposals now being pushed through Congress bodes no better future for the nation.
Partisan politics aside, what is also a reality is this: I am furious at being constantly embarrassed by those whom I have appointed to positions of responsibility.
With the rash of disasters that have struck the State of Louisiana along with the political divisiveness that has turned the legislature’s serious consideration of the fiscal perils that lay ahead into a mockery, the distractions of near daily reports of mismanagement, malfeasance, outright theft and general abuse of authority and position are something I can live without.
As governor, I have no control over actions of the legislature, other than my veto power, and regrettably, I have no influence over Congress and our congressional delegation.
But I do have control over the behavior of those whom I appoint and I expect nothing less than honest, open, selfless administration of your respective agencies. This expectation extends to your subordinates as well. You will answer to me for their actions as well as your own.
There is one state agency that does its job as it should. Unfortunately, it seems to operate in a vacuum. The Legislative Auditor’s Office does a herculean job of monitoring how state offices, boards, and commissions are run. Unfortunately, the auditor’s reports, even bad ones, are almost always ignored. No more. Henceforth, when a negative audit report on your agency is published by the Legislative Auditor’s office, that report will no longer be filed away to be forgotten.
Beginning today, when there is an audit report, a news report, or a formal complaint about or against your agency or any of your employees, I am directing immediate remedial action on your part and I expect that response to be public.
In the case of an auditor’s report that puts you in a bad light, I expect a complete turnaround within 30 days, no exceptions. You are to provide my office with a detailed written report of how you intend to remedy the situation. You are to be specific in your report, providing full details of how the situation was allowed to come about and how you plan on correcting the deficiencies. Failure to do so will result in your immediate termination.
In the case of news reports that put you and your agency in a bad light, you are to provide immediate access to the news reporter and you will answer all questions. Moreover, you are to provide my office with a full report, in writing, an explanation of what led to the news report, whether the reports are accurate, and if so, how you plan to address the problem. Misleading my office on the accuracy of negative news reports shall result in your immediate termination and the termination of all concerned.
Formal complaints from citizens or employees of your agency will be addressed immediately. In the case of an employee complaint, there shall be no reprisals taken against the employee, subject to your immediate termination.
As explained earlier in this communication, the governor’s office has enough to deal with without the necessity of constantly putting out brush fires. We exist to serve the public, not the other way around. Public service is a privilege, not an opportunity to enrich oneself. If you are on the state payroll to further your career and to profit from illicit activity with contractors, vendors, or through any other means, get out now or I will show you how it feels to be embarrassed publicly.
The public’s trust of its government, at least on the state level, is important to me.
Act as though your job depends on it—because it does.
Louisiana Voice 
The reason you would never see such a thing is it would give political enemies a way to target individuals that the governor picked to lead institutions. Plant someone to make a problem, protect them (the plant) from consequences and the outcome is removal of political enemies.
Amen, Tom!!!!
From paragraph 8:
“When a negative audit report on your agency is published by the Legislative Auditor’s office, that report will no longer be filed away to be forgotten.”
God, do those words EVER bring back memories. Here they are when the attorney for the LALB, Anna Dow, was point-blank asked, “What are we going to do about this Legislative Auditor Report?” Dow’s response, “It’s filed……………………..”
Those are the opening words of this recording: https://youtu.be/pmBo7mX9J2Q.
The second I read, “filed away to be forgotten,” I couldn’t help but hear those words from Anna Dow: “It’s filed and………….”
Every state agency head should be rated by his/her employees and the results posted and shared on the 6:00 o’clock news……such as:
Do you trust the person leading the agency?
Do you think that person is honest and fair?
Does the secretary of your department utilize the gifts and talents across the agency or does he/she rely on the bonehead advice of one or two people? Does the legislature interfere in the Department’s operation? Provide examples (that would be a dissertation).
In what ways could the department be improved? Does the department head have any leadership skills? Please enumerate those (short essay).
In what ways are the citizens of this state being served by your department?
All of the above offer excellent suggestions and observations that would help in getting closer to your dream. Your letter would be a great idea. Perhaps instituting 3 or 6 month face to face performance reviews with stated goals and ramifications with the department heads would help. I don’t know if this could be done without legislation but it’s just a thought. I think we all agree that accountability starts at the top and this may help. Perhaps a group review with the governor and the heads of both parties in the legislature.
Don’t forget to vote!
Great job Tom.
Since the Governor is a very smart man, I think he should sign his name to this letter immediately. This would certainly certify his win in the next election. I won’t hold my breath though because I am not waiting for anything to change any time soon. He could have made a lot of changes already. Why he didn’t do it, who knows but it might cost him the next election. On the flip side, he might not want to ruffle the feathers of the big money bags who supported him during the last election.
Seems like every year it is becoming more and more of a selection then an election. The Benjamin’s always decide who will be what, when and where. This is a sad fact but it won’t change anytime soon.
This was a really good letter though and I hope it woke him up. Wouldn’t it be nice if he listened to someone who really knows what is going on and what needs to be done to fix things like they should be done. If by some miracle he did, Christmas might just come early this year.
Welcome to Louisiana!
In light of the recent payroll frauds involving LACE and San Diego, let us revisit the State Police Commission allowing Mike Edmonson’s, and Charles Dupuy’s, play and lie to the Commission. This being in the creation of a position and promotion of a new Lieutenant Colonel of Management and Finance in the name of Jason Starnes.
This was a newly created position by Edmonson & Dupuy upon the retirement of Jill Boudreaux in 2016. A salary of 150K plus for their puppet with no background in financial and human resource management.
Starnes, In his position over such, saw and approved the expenditures in travel and overtime and did nothing. Any layman can see these were excessive. Could it be that Starnes was on these trips also, and he had to take care of his buddies with excessive overtime payments by turning a blind eye?
It is time the people hold the Commission and the people in charge accountable.
During the Edwin Edwards years, upon appointment, cabinet members were required to provide the governor’s office an undated letter of resignation. If a cabinet member embarrassed the administration with mismanagement issues, and received a dated copy of said letter from the governor, they were to pack up quietly and vacate the office with no media attention. My cabinet member boss told me about this. We heard about a department head who had a visit from a state trooper and was gone that day.
I simply don’t understand why governors tolerate continued abuse of power and failure to manage agencies in a professional, legal and honest way by their own appointees. It’s not smart and not necessary- these people serve at the pleasure of the governor, who is ultimately responsible. Where are the leges, who should be screaming for good government practices? And only a handful of voices rise in protest – mostly news media and a few watchdogs.
Thanks to the First Amendment and those pesky journalists…..