Louisiana Senate Bill SCR14

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/8/19
• Refer: 4/9/19
• Report Pass: 4/16/19
• Passed: 4/17/19
• Engrossed: 4/17/19
• Refer: 4/22/19
• Report Pass: 5/15/19

Caption

Requests the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to provide budget and fiscal planning training to incoming mayors. (OR NO IMPACT See Note)

Impact

The resolution emphasizes the importance of equipping mayors with the necessary skills and knowledge to manage finances effectively in their municipalities. By ensuring that incoming mayors receive comprehensive training in budget and fiscal matters specifically tailored to local governance, SCR14 aims to mitigate the risk of municipalities falling under fiscal administration due to poor financial management. This educational support is deemed crucial for successful operation and compliance with state laws regarding fiscal responsibilities.

Summary

SCR14 is a Louisiana Senate Concurrent Resolution urging the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to provide budget and fiscal planning training to incoming mayors. The bill recognizes that one of the primary duties of a mayor includes preparing and submitting an annual operations budget as mandated by Louisiana law. However, it points out that there are currently no formal training programs mandated for mayors to help them understand the complexities of governmental budget and fiscal management. This gap in education could potentially lead to issues such as malfeasance if mayors fail to complete audits for consecutive years.

Sentiment

The sentiment around SCR14 appears to be overwhelmingly positive. With a unanimous vote of 100 yeas to 0 nays observed during its final consideration, the bill suggests a consensus among legislators on the necessity of such training. Lawmakers recognize the value of well-trained mayors in promoting sound financial governance and the overall betterment of local governments across Louisiana.

Contention

While SCR14 is well-received, potential points of contention could arise regarding the implementation of the training program itself, including its format, content, and accessibility for all incoming mayors. Questions may also be raised about the resources required to establish and maintain such training programs and whether they could add financial burdens to the state or municipalities, despite the intended benefits.