Blueprint La. Turns To Watchdog Group
by Greg Hilburn - News Star (excerpt)

Blueprint Louisiana, a group of business people and citizens pressing for reform in state government, landed a super majority of legislators to shepherd its reform agenda. Now the group will turn watchdog to make sure the lawmakers adhere to their commitment.

"Every citizen in the state will get a report card that grades legislators after this spring's legislative session," Gautreaux said. "We want to make sure they live up to their commitments."

Eighty-two percent of state senators and 70 percent of state representatives have signed non-binding Blueprint contracts saying they will follow its agenda.

Blueprint's organizers, who have spent more than $1 million to promote the platform, call for tougher ethics laws for elected officials, expanding pre-K for all public schools, work force development, reforming the charity health care system and revamping funding for roads.

"We're working hand-in-hand with (Gov. Bobby Jindal's) administration on his special session on ethics," said Gautreaux, referring to the Special Session set to begin Feb. 10. "We believe we're going to knock the ball out of the park on that one.

"We're also confident that we can get the expansion of the pre-K program."

"It's a huge civic experiment. We elected a reform governor, but he needs the support of the citizens to rally behind him," Gautreaux said.