BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) - Louisiana's efforts to reduce state-created boards and commissions have failed, with their number instead increasing, along with their spending.

  

Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera's office released its annual report on the entities, finding 477 boards and commissions, up 13 from the prior year.

  

The auditor's office tallied the panels' spending for the financial year that ended June 30 and found $1.3 million spent on per diem, $1.7 million for salaries and $2.1 million for travel. Total spending is up $1 million from last year's report.

  

Of the 477 boards and commissions, auditors say 340 reported no spending on per diem, salaries and travel.

  

Purpera's office identified 14 inactive boards, recommended for abolition.

  

Lawmakers have filed bills to eliminate inactive or underperforming boards. But as they removed panels, they created new ones.