Whatever the reason for the existence of these funds, recent action by a North Louisiana legislator has everyone paying close attention to the rural and urban funds. State Representative Willie Hunter of Monroe has filed suit in a state District Court over the Foster Administration s cut to his allocation of the Urban Development Fund. He has compared his take to those of other legislators who received larger amounts than he did. Hunter s lawsuit asks the Governor s Office to devise a plan for distributing the money equitably. Created under the Edwards Administration, the Urban Development Fund is allocated primarily to members of the Legislative Black Caucus.
Lawmakers receive funds for social programs in their districts.
By comparison, the Rural Development Fund is allocated to projects in each parish of the state, except for Orleans Parish, at the direction of the lawmakers who represent the parish. In the opinion of many local officials, the money has been used for many worthwhile projects. There have been efforts to abolish these funds. Some lawmakers have said if a local project needs funding, it should go through the normal channels of the legislative process. This process would include the appropriations and capital outlay committees, where legislators and the public are able to scrutinize state spending.