Analysts: People need better view of state finances
by MICHELLE MILLHOLLON - Advocate (excerpt)

Gov.-elect Bobby Jindal’s pledge to make state government more transparent should include clarifying the state’s financial picture for the public, the state’s former chief budget analyst said Wednesday.

For example, it is difficult for average people to understand why state government continues to have lingering debt despite the recent budget surpluses, Bob Keaton told Jindal’s government and fiscal reform advisory council.

Keaton’s recommendation: A “fiscal state of the state report” — similar to a person’s credit report — that details state government’s liabilities, such as, the $20 billion price tag for rebuilding the coast and the $262 million for the most pressing repairs on college and university campuses.