Catalyst for Change… PAR Research Gets Results

Major Roles & Accomplishments, 1950-Present

Many significant governmental reforms have emanated from PAR’s research over the past four decades due largely to PAR’s credibility and objectivity. PAR’s studies have covered a broad spectrum of issues such as:

State Budget Reform

PAR has been the leading proponent of state budget reforms through its research, analysis and legislative testimony. Specific PAR recommendations enacted include:

  • Limits on future state debt
  • Requiring feasibility studies prior to financing construction projects
  • Consensus revenue forecasting
  • Creation of an independent legislative fiscal staff
  • Creation of the legislative auditor’s office
  • A balanced state budget requirement
  • Creation of a mineral stabilization trust fund and “rainy day” provision
  • Limits on state spending growth

State & Local Tax Issues

PAR has long recognized that a fair, equitable and broad-based tax system in Louisiana is of paramount importance to the economic vitality of the state. PAR’s research consistently has pointed toward the need to lower the homestead exemption, establish a single collector of local sales taxes, and eliminate taxes that make Louisiana non-competitive.

A significant change recommended by PAR was the establishment of the inventory tax credit program.

In addition, in 1993, PAR’s proposal to balance the budget without new taxes was instrumental in significantly reducing the Governor’s request for taxes.

Public Education Reform

PAR’s research has emphasized K-12 public education and vocational-technical education. Specific PAR recommendations which have been enacted include:

  • Creation of the Quality Education Trust Fund (8g)
  • An appointed state superintendent of education
  • Modernization of vo-tech facilities
  • Four-year concurrent terms for the state Board of Elementary and Secondary Education and local school boards
  • Initiation of school progress reports
  • Tighter controls on the Quality Education Trust Fund with limits on administrative costs

Other Governmental Reforms

Some of the other major reforms resulting from PAR research include:

  • Reorganization of state government
  • The new state constitution
  • Actuarially sound funding of public retirement systems
  • Investment of idle state cash
  • A single ethics board with power to initiate investigations
  • A campaign finance reporting and prohibitions law
  • Strong open meetings and public records laws
  • Curbing of dual office holding
  • Equitable reapportionment of the Legislature into single-member districts
  • Comprehensive capital budgeting
  • A single, expert agency to issue state bonds

Citizen & Voter Education

One of PAR’s major accomplishments has been the education of Louisiana citizens on state and local issues. Through its research and publications, speeches to various groups and organizations, and its relationship with the media, PAR has played a major role in helping voters make informed decisions on proposed constitutional amendments, in focusing voters’ and candidates’ attention on the issues, and informing citizens about how the legislative process works and their rights under the public records and open meetings laws. Specific PAR reports include:

  • Guide to the Proposed Constitutional Amendments, published prior to every election on amendments
  • Citizen’s Guide to the Louisiana Legislature, published every four years, with annual updates
  • Citizen’s Rights Card (guide to the open meetings and public records laws), updated as needed
  • “Major Issues” published every four years prior to gubernatorial elections

Watchdog & Committee Participation

PAR fills an important “watchdog” role by maintaining a vigilant eye on state government operations and the Legislature. Bulletins during legislative sessions highlight good and bad proposed legislation and suggest improvements.

Due to their recognized expertise and objectivity, PAR staff frequently are asked to either chair or serve on a variety of study committees. These committees have dealt with subjects such as public retirement, education, personnel management, reorganization, taxes and state expenditures.

Awards

PAR has received numerous awards from the Governmental Research Association (GRA), including:

2021

  • 1st Place, GRA Outstanding Policy Achievement - RESET Louisiana
  • 1st Place, GRA Best Short Form Video - Coastal Restoration Project
  • 1st Place, GRA Most Distinguished Research - Constitutional Reform Project
  • 2021, Louisiana Political Hall of Fame - Edward J. "Ed Steimel, PAR Executive Director 1954 - 1975

2015

  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research Award - Innovation in Louisiana: Maximizing Investment in University Research to Promote a Knowledge-Based Economy
  • 1st, Outstanding Policy Achievement Award - Louisiana Needs a Champion for Open Government: PAR was awarded for outstanding work on public records

2013

  • 1st Place, The Most Effective Education Award - The Sunshine Headquarters portal
  • 1st, Outstanding Policy Achievement Award - Louisiana Needs a Champion for Open Government: PAR was awarded for outstanding work on public records

2012

  • 1st Place, Fredrick P. Gruenberg Award - James C. "Jim" Brandt, Former PAR President, was awarded for his numerous contributions to and longtime service in governmental research

2010

  • 1st Place, Fredrick P. Gruenberg Award - Richard T. "Ty" Keller, PAR's senior research associate emeritus was awarded for his career of service in governmental research

2009

  • 1st Place, Most Effective Education - GulfGov Reports: Study of the Recovery, Role and Capacity of the States and Localities Damaged by the 2005 Hurricanes
  • 2nd Place, Most Distinguished Research - Redistricting 2010: Reforming the Process of Distributing Political Power

2008

  • 1st Place, Most Effective Education - Questioning Candidates Beyond the Platitudes
  • 2nd Place, Most Distinguished Research - Spending Federal Disaster Aid
  • 2nd Place, Outstanding Policy Achievement - PAR Research in Governmental Ethics and Transparency Yields Reforms

2006

  • 2nd Place, Policy Research - Education Finance Reform: A 65% Solution?

2005

  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research - NCLB: A Steep Climb Ahead
  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Education - Public Employee retirement: A Time for Change

2004

  • 2nd Place, Effective Education - 2003 Guide to the Constitutional Amendments

2003

  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research - White Paper on Higher Education
  • 2nd Place, Policy Achievement - Louisiana's Sunshine Laws: The Promise and Peril of New Technology

2002

  • 2nd Place, Effective Education - Education Funding: How Does Louisiana Compare?
  • 2nd Place, Policy Achievement - Louisiana's Sunshine Laws: Guaranteeing the Citizen's Right to Know

2001

  • 2nd Place, Most Distinguished Research - Fiscal Decision Making: Room for Improvement

1999

  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research - Education Accountability and the Role of School Choice
  • 1st Place, Most Original Presentation - Your Louisiana Government: An Owner's Manual

1998

  • 1st Place, Special Achievement - The Community College Question
  • 2nd Place, Effective Citizen Presentation - Louisiana Sunshine Laws: Guaranteeing the Citizen's Right to Know

1997

  • 1st Place, Most Effective Education - School Employee Pay: How Does it Stack Up?

1995

  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research - Corporate Tax Burdens in the Southern States: A Comparison

1994

  • 2nd Place, Special Achievement - Louisiana Fiscal Focus

1992

  • 2nd Place, Special Achievement - Assignment: Education

1991

  • 1st Place, Special Achievement - Financing Louisiana's Future

1990

  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research - Assignment: Education
  • 2nd Place, Effective Presentation - Assignment: Education

1989

  • 1st Place, Special Achievement - Campaign Finances in 1987 Governors' Race

1988

  • 1st Place, Most Effective Presentation - Financing Louisiana's Future
  • 1st Place, Most Distinguished Research - Financing Louisiana's Future