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T h u r s d ay, F e b r u a ry 27, 2025
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Docked benefits to start flowing Some retirees to receive lump sum Social Security funds BY MARK BALLARD Staff writer
STAFF PHOTOS By HILARy SCHEINUK
Drivers navigate Juban Road between Florida Boulevard and Interstate 12 recently in Livingston Parish.
MAPPING A NEW ROUTE DOTD plans for changes after review knocks it for project delays, cost overruns and poor work
BY ALYSE PFEIL Staff writer
An internal review of the agency that maintains Louisiana’s roads and highways has found it too often allows construction to go past deadline and over budget, has flawed internal communication and lacks a good process for selecting projects, among other problems. Meanwhile, the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development faces high turnover rates for key technical and engineering staff, inadequate staffing levels and low employee morale, according to a Strategic Improvement Plan report recently issued by the department. The review is a response to Gov. Jeff Landry’s executive order last year that called on agency leaders to “reform the department as expeditiously as possible.” To help fix the problems, DOTD has set up a “transformation office” and is considering plans to restructure its departments, outsource some functions and redo how it handles permits and project bids, according to the report. “DOTD recognizes the need to act decisively to rebuild the trust and confidence in the Department that has
ä See BENEFITS, page 4A
Crews prepare supports for new signage that will be used along Interstate 10 near the College Drive exit. eroded over the years,” it states. The review also states the department’s primary funding sources, federal and state fuel taxes, haven’t kept pace with inflation or growing infrastructure needs. Among the most significant problems is “inconsistency and inefficiency in the
delivery and execution of its transportation projects.” “Delays in project timelines, cost overruns, and incomplete or poorly executed infrastructure projects occur frequently,” the report states.
ä See DOTD, page 4A
Government efficiency group adds state auditor Task force mirrors Elon Musk’s DOGE
BY TYLER BRIDGES Staff writer
A task force facing criticism for meeting outside of public view is partnering with state auditors to help find waste in government spending, Gov. Jeff Landry announced Wednesday. The Fiscal Responsibility Program, created by the governor in December, will work with the Louisiana Legislative Auditor in its
WEATHER HIGH 71 LOW 43 PAGE 6B
WASHINGTON — About 94,000 Louisiana government retirees immediately will begin receiving their full Social Security benefits from any private employment that had been docked for years because they also received public service pensions. And that’s going to start off with a lump sum check to cover the past 14 months, said Garret Graves, the former Baton Rouge congressman who shepherded the bill into law. “The Trump administration is cutting retroactive checks this Graves week,” Graves said Wednesday. “There is going to be a lump sum check up front and from there forward you’ll get the updated amount each month.” For example, if a public worker was supposed to receive $1,800 a month in Social Security benefits but was docked $360 and received $1,440, that retiree will soon receive a $5,040 lump sum check — or, more likely the amount will be direct deposited. Then, the monthly check will be $1,800. That’s an average amount. Each case is different.
mission to eliminate unnecessary spending. Landry appears to be modeling the Fiscal Responsibility Program on the federal Department of Government Efficiency created by President Donald Trump and headed by business owner Elon Musk. He is inviting citizens to offer suggestions on how the state can save money to email ladoge@lla.la.gov. The task force met twice this year in secret before pausing its work earlier this month. That move came after good government groups said it failed to adhere to the state public meetings law — which requires
the group to give public notice beforehand of its meetings that then have to be open to the public. The task force includes eight state legislators and is led by Steve Orlando, a close friend of Landry’s who owned a successful oil field services company. “The partnership allows us to expand our work to create state fiscal responsibility,” Orlando said in a text. “The commitment is real. Results are coming!” Mike Waguespack, the legislative auditor, seconded that point in an interview, saying his office already conducts regular financial
and performance audits of state agencies. “We do a lot of audits on state agencies that get put on a shelf,” Waguespack said. Now, he added, “we have a group that will potentially look at our audits and take action. We’ll be the boots on the ground. I’m super excited about this.” The governor’s news release did not say whether the group will begin holding public meetings. “We will always comply with public meeting law,” Orlando texted. Email Tyler Bridges at tbridges@theadvocate.com.
Business ......................6A Commentary ................5B Nation-World ................2A Classified .....................6D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-5D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
LA GATOR scholarship program launches State to open applications Saturday
BY PATRICK WALL
Staff writer
It’s officially GATOR season. On Saturday, Louisiana families can begin applying to LA GATOR, a new tax-funded scholarship program meant to help parents pay for private education. Replacing the state’s long-running voucher program, LA GATOR — officially the Louisiana Giving All True Opportunity to Rise program — will be open to more families and allow for more uses than its predecessor. In addition to private school tuition, parents can spend the scholarship money on tutoring, textbooks, special-education services and other approved expenses. “For families who are looking for a different approach to educating their child, this is a great opportunity,” said Germain Gilson, assistant superintendent of school choice for the Louisiana Department of Education.
ä See APPLICATIONS, page 5A
100TH yEAR, NO. 242