Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana

PAR is an independent voice offering solutions to crucial issues in Louisiana through accurate, objective research and focusing public attention on those solutions.

2013 Session Commentary

PAR has issued a wrap-up of the 2013 Legislative Session. Although the Legislature succeeded admirably in crafting a budget with bi-partisan and bi-cameral cooperation under stressful conditions, the state continues to obligate itself to greater fiscal costs and constraints, likely leading to future problems. This summary includes an overview of the 2014 state budget, successes and challenges of the session and highlights in education and health care policy.

Click here for the entire commentary.

PAR Issues Research Brief on Tax Reform

PAR has released a report that outlines key taxes issues facing the state and placing these into the context of the current debate on reform. The report summarizes the challenges in various areas of Louisiana tax policy and offers potential remedies for consideration. The report also reviews the Governor’s so-called Plan A proposal and draws important lessons from that initiative as the Legislature continues to consider new proposals.

The full research brief can be found here.

PAR Examines Key Components of the Governor's Tax Reform Plan

PAR has prepared an initial review of the governor's tax reform plan.

Louisiana’s discussion of tax reform has begun. The proposals on the table will generate the most significant fiscal policy debate in many years in Louisiana. This initial review by PAR makes several observations about the current reform package and the primary numerical assumptions underlying the proposal. Whatever decisions are made, they should be based on objective, well-supported and verifiable information.

See the entire commentary here.

PAR Issues Research Brief on Medicaid Expansion

March 28, 2013 Update: PAR issues statement on updated analysis by DHH on the Medicaid expansion. Click here to read the statement.

In this research brief, PAR reviews existing analyses on the impact of a Medicaid expansion to Louisiana. PAR finds gaps in these analyses and make several public policy recommendations for the governor and Legislature.

Click here to view the full report.

I.Link.Louisiana

I.Link.Louisiana is a gateway to Louisiana public policy isues. It provides links to original research reports that reflect on the Pelican State.

State Tax Collections Reached Record High in 2012 - Governing Magazine
The Urban Institute and the Kaiser Family Foundation recently released a report on the cost and coverage provided by the ACA Medicaid Expansion.
PAR has a collection of Tax Policy resources available on ilink - click here to see all recent tax policy documents.
The Louisiana Law Institute Tax Study Committee completed a report on proposed reforms in May 2000. These materials are useful to review in light of pending tax reform in Louisiana. Summary materials are available here and more extensive documentation is available upon request.
BRAC and the Baton Rouge Area Foundation (BRAF) commissioned a report of independent school districts in East Baton Rouge Parish. See the full report here.
Department of Revenue Presentation to the Revenue Study Commission on August 15, 2012
The Pew Center on the States has issued a new report comparing the financial viability of state retirement systems. The fact sheet on Louisiana can be found here.
The Institute for Justice released a report in May 2012 measuring the impact of occupational licensing laws. License to Work: A National Study of Burdens from Occupational Licensing finds that Louisiana licenses 71 of the 102 occupations, more than any other state.
A study by researchers at Georgetown University finds the postsecondary certificate has become a cost-effective tool for increasing postsecondary educational attainment and gainful employment.
A new report by the Friedman Foundation for Educational Choice argues that those interested in improving education need to embrace a “greenfield” mindset before they can reinvent how we educate our children.
A new study links the isolation of a state's capital with the prevalence of corruption, and a Chicago Tribune story digs through the study's numbers to determine which state capitals are among the most corrupt.
Legislation aimed at the state's retirement systems is the subject of a legal analysis requested by the Louisiana Legislative Auditor, a PAR commentary for The Political Desk and LPB's latest edition of Louisiana Public Square.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor report on the relevance of performance information of two programs of the LA Department of Children and Family Services.
WRKF interview (story and sound file) with a researcher who has studied Florida’s voucher system.
Sen. Landrieu raises questions about Gov. Jindal's education reform package in a letter to Louisiana legislators.
Louisiana K-12 & School Choice Survey. This survey by theFriedman Foundation for Educational Choice and the Pelican Institute for Public Policy finds majority support for expanding the voucher plan.
Making Choice Right: Can Private School Vouchers Live Up to Their Promises? This Bureau of Governmental Research study details some flaws in the proposed legislation.
Grading the nation: How accountable is your state? This Center for Public Integrity report gives Louisiana a C+.
Louisiana Legislative Auditor report provides a review of tax credits and exemptions including the impact of credits on tax collections in Louisiana.
New report by the Tax Foundation places Louisiana in a favorable tax climate for businesses compared to other states. The report is similar to a PAR study in 2002.
Changes to ethics code, campaign finance laws and the system for prosecuting and judging cases have been recommended by the governor and the Louisiana Board of Ethics.
A new report from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor tracks a major reduction in the number (though not payroll) of state workers in the past six years.
New full report from Louisiana's Higher Education Governance Commission, which recommended stronger powers for the Board of Regents.
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