Last year, we thought we had eliminated legislative slush fund grants, but, now, it seems that they are back with a vengeance in the form of NGO grants. These are earmarks that are included in the state budget bill (HB 1). According to government watchdog C.B. Forgotston, legislators have made NGO funding requests that exceed $99 million.
Many of these organizations are non-profit groups or organizations with ties to legislators. Many of these groups should not be dependent on state government for financing. In fact, they should sink or swim on their own, depending on support from donors and other philanthropic sources of funding.
Of the many disturbing funding requests legislators have made, one of the most troubling is a $20,000 request for the American Muslim Mission in Baton Rouge. According to Chris Holton, Vice President of the Center for Security Policy, “American Muslim Mission has ties to the most radical and strident sect of Islam which gave birth to Al Qaeda--Wahhabism.”
This group was previously called the World Community of Islam and the Nation of Islam, a name still used by a splinter Islamic group represented by the notorious Minister Louis Farakhan. Louisiana state government should not be funding religious organizations that have such controversial ties. It goes against the wishes of the vast majority of the citizens in this state.
I urge people to contact their legislators and demand that this grant be removed from HB 1. Although the amount is not very large in comparison to many other requests, it is still troubling. As noted by Holton, “It is…not in the best interests of the state of Louisiana to be sending any money to such an organization, no matterhow small that sum may be.” Well said.
Jeff Crouere is a native of New Orleans, LA and he is the host of a Louisiana based program, “Ringside Politics,” which airs at 7:30 p.m. Fri. and 10:00 p.m. Sun. on WLAE-TV 32, a PBS station, and 7 till 11 a.m. weekdays on WGSO 990 AM in New Orleans and the Northshore. For more information, visit his web site at www.ringsidepolitics.com. E-mail him at jeff@ringsidepolitics.com.
"It goes against the wishes of the vast majority of the citizens in this state." Yes, I'm sure it does. The people would not have to "contact their legislators and demand that this grant be removed" if "we the people" decided the funding for NGOs ourselves. I imagine many of these NGOs would disappear if they could not leech off the taxpayer... good riddance to them, every one. Of course it's "not practical" for the electorate to directly vote on such matters, ask any person or organization who benefits from our current system, they'll all tell you it is so. Written by kpf
on 5/14/2008
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I could use that $20.000.00 to come up with a preliminary cost projection of associated Louisiana coastal protection abstracts and their implementations........ That would save the state several hundred million dollars easily......... As well as protect lives and property while enhancing safety effects considerably. Oh, did I forget to mention the creation of a lot of jobs as well??????? Oh, I just did. Thanx folks................. Written by Ahhh that Piyush and his merry Legislative Krewe
on 5/14/2008
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