Louisiana Ethics Board Is Considering Changes For Spending Campaign Money

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is talking about possibly making some changes to the rules for candidates for public office.  One of the proposed changes would require candidates to explain why they purchase things like football tickets, meals, etc. with their campaign funds.

The Board will be asking candidates to explain why they believe this spending amounts to legal expenditures.

The Louisiana Board of Ethics is trying to put together guidelines that would really define what would be "personal use" of campaign funds.

Ethics Board Vice Chairman Scott Schneider, chairing the subcommittee, will be tasked with coming up with the guidelines on how expenditures will be qualified under the law.

Right now, the current draft of the proposal has lists of what is and is not covered.  Campaign advertising and bumper stickers would be things that would be considered okay under the proposal, while things like country club memberships, mortgage payments and legal fees for criminal defense would not.