New Orleans Rep Jason Hughes (D)
As the Department of Children and Family Services is under fire for child welfare concerns, New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes remains a harsh critic of DCFS and the head of the agency Secretary Marketa Garner Walters. Hughes said he has yet to hear Walters accept any responsibility.
“You can’t just say well we have a crisis, and I actually inherited a crisis when I came in seven years ago, and seven years later I’m still in crisis. That’s just not leadership,” said Hughes.
The agency’s failure to investigate multiple drug overdoses of a Baton Rouge toddler who finally died as a result and a foster parent accused of raping a child placed in his care by DCFS are the two most notable incidents involving the agency.
Hughes said Walters has blamed the previous administration on several occasions for the difficulties she faces, he said that’s understandable for the first six months.
“I’m sorry seven years later you cannot blame the previous administration for the state of dysfunction, for the culture of fear and retaliation, for the crisis that existed within DCFS,” said Hughes.
Governor John Bel Edwards supports his appointment of Walters and fellow democrat Hughes said she should resign. Hughes said he has yet to speak with Edwards about Walters.
“Certainly, he has the right to double down from his perspective and I’m certainly going to double down for mine. Let me just say I’m not backing down,” said Hughes.
On Twitter Hughes said he will begin to release emails and letters sounding the alarm on issues at DCFS since 2020.
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