Breaking the Good Ole Boy Network: Restoring Accountability and Transparency in Louisiana Politics

Louisiana has a problem, and it’s been a problem for generations. We all know about the “Good Ole Boy” network—a system where power stays in the hands of the well-connected, and favors are traded behind closed doors. It’s a club where family ties, political alliances, and personal relationships matter more than qualifications, hard work, or the needs of the people.

The results? Wasted money, broken trust, and communities that are left behind. While hardworking Louisianans struggle to get ahead, someone’s cousin, donor, or old college buddy is getting the job, the contract, or the paycheck—often at our expense.

It’s time to call this out for what it is and fix it.

What is the Good Ole Boy Network?

The Good Ole Boy network isn’t some abstract concept. It’s a real system in which people in power use their influence to reward friends and family, often at the expense of taxpayers and progress.

Here’s how it works:

• State or local contracts go to politically connected businesses instead of the most qualified bidder.
• Jobs and leadership roles are handed out to family members or allies, no matter their qualifications.
• Key decisions are made behind closed doors, with little to no transparency for the public.

It’s been this way for so long in Louisiana that some people accept it as “just how things are done.” But that attitude is precisely what’s holding us back.

 Real-World Examples of the Good Ole Boy Network

If you want to know how deep this problem runs, just look at a few real examples from Louisiana’s recent history:

1. Delegating Authority in Coastal Drilling Litigation

In 2023, Thomas Harris, the Secretary of Louisiana’s Department of Natural Resources (DNR), admitted under oath that he delegated significant governmental authority over coastal drilling litigation to a personal injury attorney—someone with political connections. Instead of working to serve the public, this move seemed to benefit Harris’s allies financially. This is cronyism, plain and simple: decisions made for the benefit of a few, not for the good of Louisiana taxpayers.

2. Nepotism in Charter Schools

Nepotism isn’t just a buzzword—it’s been happening in plain sight.

1. • In 2012, Paulette Bruno, head of Robert Russa Moton Charter School, was accused of violating Louisiana’s nepotism laws by employing two daughters-in-law in school positions.

1. • In 2014, Doris Roché-Hicks, leader of Friends of King Schools, was accused of hiring her sister, daughter, and son-in-law.

These are public positions paid for with taxpayer dollars. Yet, family ties took precedence over fair hiring practices. The result? Additional distrust in our public institutions and a lack of accountability in schools that are supposed to serve our children.

These aren’t isolated incidents. They are symptoms of a larger culture that prioritizes connections and favors over transparency, competition, and merit.

How Does This Hurt You?

The Good Ole Boy network isn’t just frustrating—it’s harmful.

1. Wasted Tax Dollars
   • When contracts are awarded to friends and family instead of the best, most qualified companies, projects cost more and deliver less. It’s why roads are still crumbling, drainage systems fail, and projects are delayed year after year.
2. Poor Leadership
   • Nepotism means the best people aren’t always in charge. Instead of leaders who have earned their roles, we get placeholders who owe their jobs to political favors. That doesn’t move Louisiana forward.
3. Lack of Opportunity
   • The Good Ole Boy network locks out anyone who’s not “in the club.” Small businesses, local leaders, and hard-working individuals are passed over because they don’t have the right last name or the right connections.
4. Broken Trust
   • How can we trust our government when we know decisions are made for the benefit of a few, not the good of the people?

How Do We Fix This?

The Good Ole Boy network thrives on secrecy, apathy, and a belief that it can’t be stopped. It can. Here’s where we start:

1. Demand Transparency in Public Spending
   • Every public contract, big or small, should be part of an open and transparent bidding process. Publish bids and contracts online so the public can hold decision-makers accountable.
2. End Nepotism and Political Appointments
   • Enforce stricter oversight of hiring practices in schools, government agencies, and boards. Public positions should be filled based on qualifications, not family ties.
3. Independent Oversight Committees
   • Establish watchdog groups with no political connections to monitor contracts, hiring, and spending. Let citizens review and report on government decisions.
4. Term Limits and Accountability
   • Break the cycle of entrenched power by pushing for term limits in local and state offices. No one should hold a seat long enough to build their own political dynasty.
5. Empower Citizens
   • The best way to break the Good Ole Boy network is for citizens to show up, pay attention, and demand better. Attend public meetings, ask questions, and vote for candidates who promise transparency and accountability—not just the status quo.

Conclusion: Why Citizens for a New Louisiana Matters

The Good Ole Boy network has held Louisiana back for too long, but we don’t have to accept it as “just the way things are.” If we want real change, we need organizations like Citizens for a New Louisiana to keep shining a light on what’s happening behind the scenes.

They’re doing the work to expose cronyism, wasteful spending, and unethical practices and empowering citizens like us to stand up and demand better. They’re not just talking—they’re digging into the facts, asking tough questions, and holding public officials accountable.

If you’re tired of the same old political games, it’s time to get involved. Support Citizens for a New Louisiana, follow their work, and share their findings. The Good Ole Boy network survives on secrecy, but together we can tear it down by demanding transparency, accountability, and leadership that serves the people.

Louisiana deserves better, and it’s up to us to make that happen.

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