Jindal wants to broaden inquiry into raise for ICF- March 18, 2008
The Times-Picayune
Bill Barrow
BATON ROUGE -- The Jindal administration has asked the state inspector general to join the legislative auditor in examining former Gov. Kathleen Blanco's decision to grant a raise to the firm that runs the state's much-criticized Road Home grant program.
Paul Rainwater, executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority, said Monday that he asked for the expanded review at the urging of Gov. Bobby Jindal, who has criticized the $156 million raise that his predecessor approved for ICF International five weeks before she left office. The company has been widely questioned over bureaucratic delays and failures that greatly slowed the process.
Legislative leaders, meanwhile, ratcheted up their rhetoric over the issue, with House Speaker Jim Tucker and Senate President Joel Chaisson II saying the Legislature will consider hiring its own counsel for a comprehensive inquiry into ICF International's two-year relationship with the state.
To read the full article click here.