An official with the Public Service Commission accused the Legislature on Tuesday of unlawfully taking ratepayer money.

Eve Gonzalez, the PSC’s new secretary, told the Commission on Streamlining Government that the state swept the agency’s accounts.

She said the state took roughly $4 million in unspent money.

Sen. Donahue wants residents' feedback in reducing government

Louisiana Sen. Jack Donahue said even though it's the Commission on Streamlining Government's job to craft a plan to reduce the size of state government, he hopes Louisiana's residents will help identify targets for more efficiency.

The commission, which met at the Capitol in Baton Rouge on Tuesday and will continue meeting throughout the year, is beginning a listening tour next week throughout Louisiana that starts in Monroe.

A public forum to hear ideas from state residents is scheduled from 4-5:30 p.m.

Senator Jack Donahue chairs commission to streamline government and trim the budget.

A new Louisiana commission is studying how to reduce and streamline state government has elected Sen. Jack Donahue as its chairman.

A state Senate committee advanced legislation Sunday that would increase funding for higher education, health care and the arts. The Senate Committee on Finance made changes to House Bill 881, the supplemental budget bill, that depend on the Legislature approving other proposals.

Like the state Senate, the Louisiana House wants to reduce the cuts in the budget that Gov. Bobby Jindal proposed. The chambers are divided on how to accomplish that goal. The disagreements became vocal in House and Senate committees meeting Sunday and on the floor in both chambers. House Speaker Jim Tucker said he planned to meet with Senate leadership behind closed doors to discuss the budget impasse. He said the House and the Senate are close to an agreement.