Ethics Measure On Thin Ice
by Bill Barrow - Times-Picayune (excerpt)

BATON ROUGE -- Politicians fearing forced disclosure of their personal financial information could get a reprieve unless a panel of representatives and senators can come up with a compromise that passes muster in both chambers before the Legislature adjourns Thursday.

The prospects didn't seem bright Tuesday as Rep. Michael Jackson, D-Baton Rouge, criticized Senate changes to his House Bill 730 and persuaded his colleagues to force the matter to a conference committee to reconcile differences. Jackson said he wants a bill that reflects the version the House adopted 88-13 earlier this month.

In the Senate, meanwhile, the author of the amendments at issue said he's equally fond of the version that won the upper chamber's unanimous approval last week. "I'm not going to let them make it weaker," said Sen. Rob Marionneaux Jr., D-Livonia.

The key disputes concern who must disclose; how much information certain officials, including legislators, must give about their sources of income; and the numerical ranges in which filers would report income, assets and liabilities. A conference committee would have the freedom to address other aspects of the bill, potentially offering enough members in either chamber reason to vote against whatever compromise is presented.

That threatens the principal ethics overhaul measure on this year's legislative agenda.