Last year the lawmakers in Baton Rouge voted to give more than $30 million to non-profits around state, which drew a hue and cry from around the state.  It also drew criticism from good government groups and some legislators. 

Government gadfly C.B. Forgotson

However, early in the legislative session, lawmakers appear to be doing it again.

It is a simple way to give millions of dollars back to taxpayers, according to C.B. Forgotson, a one-man government watchdog.  “It’s just wrong on so many levels, just needs to be stopped,” he said.  He believes lawmakers need to stop sending money to charities and non-profit organizations.

So far this year, the Louisiana House has allocated more than $20 million.

It is a slush fund, according to Forgotson, but, officially, it is referred to as funding for non-governmental agencies.

"I don't know of one single tax that has ever passed that says we are going to pass this tax so we are going to give the money to charitable organizations of our choice,” Forgotson said, “meaning the legislators choice."

Currently, legislators are giving money to charities and non-profits such as the Martin Luther King Jr. Neighborhood Association, the Winnsboro Gun Club, Fresh Start Outreach Ministries and the Catfish Festival.

“You have to look at it by a case by case basis,” said state Representative Walker Hines, adding that Winnsboro Gun Club shouldn’t have been funded.  Hines has attached his name to two non-profits, Global Green and NOLA YURP, which attracts young professionals to New Orleans.  

“A lot of times when you give money to non-profits they create jobs,” Hines said.  “Often times, they save the state money because they take other responsibilities, so it's not as simple as saying lets eliminate it."

Hines said the state needs better oversight of non-profits; they need to be audited after they spend the state’s money.  But he said since the governor controls most of the budget, this is the only chance lawmakers have to direct money to their districts.

“When you're talking about $30 million dollars of every year of a $30 billion dollar budget,” Hines said.  “One percent going to small projects, often times which have huge financial rewards for the state.  That's a very small piece of the pie."

"This is not the legislature’s money,” Forgotson said.  “This is mine and yours that they took from us under the guise that it would fund necessary government services," adding if the government would stick to funding state functions, it would save taxpayers millions.