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Posted: 06/22/2015 (PDF Version) Now that the governor has signed bills for state appropriations and tax increases and has vetoed a few key bills, the final picture of the 2015 legislative session can be seen in focus. The Legislature and the governor produced a state budget during the recent session that boosted government spending with […]
Posted: 06/05/2015 (PDF Version) As the Legislature attempts to piece together something resembling a balanced state budget, the puzzle that is taking shape is likely to create new problems for state government and require further adjustments during the next year. Lawmakers can be given credit for facing up to some tough decisions this session. But […]
Posted: 05/12/2015 (PDF Version) The state has entered a high-stakes phase of deciding the future implementation of Common Core State Standards. Some elected officials are seeking to repeal the standards despite considerable investment of time and money by the state, local districts and teachers. While both sides of the debate want to see a new […]
Posted: 04/22/2015 (PDF Version) The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana calls upon the next governor of Louisiana to assert policies and practices for greater transparency in government and to set an example as a champion of accountability and citizen access to public documents and open meetings. In particular, PAR urges the next governor to […]
Magic rabbits, hidden holes and sleights of hand are not the only potential solutions to our fiscal challenge. (PDF Version) Louisiana’s Legislature is performing a high-wire act without a net as it attempts to balance the government budget. Anticipated state expenses for the next fiscal year are towering above a nearly flat state revenue forecast. As […]
Sweeping dedicated coastal dollars into the general operating budget would break a strong precedent and raise costly questions about Louisiana’s coastal spending stewardship (PDF Version) The administration would be making a mistake to take money from the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund to spend on state operating expenses. In fact this is the exact kind […]
In the fight over Common Core, Louisiana state government is failing its citizens and the governor is chiefly responsible (PDF Version) Louisiana state government is failing its duty to provide leadership and accountability for public school education in the upcoming academic year. The situation has reached a crisis level with serious potential consequences for students, parents, […]
The 2014 Legislative Session PAR reviews the poor fiscal practices and worthy accomplishments of the spring lawmaking period (PDF Version) What a difference $1 billion can make. The 2014 legislative session ended with a state budget balanced conveniently with contrived and borrowed revenue and the further depletion of trust fund resources. The budget allows spending increases […]
A PAR review of Act 399 and cost-of-living adjustments (PDF Version) During the 2014 session the Legislature made changes in the way cost-of-living adjustments (COLAs) are granted for retirees of the four major state retirement systems. Act 399 (House Bill 1225) by Rep. Joel Robideaux and Sen. Elbert Guillory sets conditions on how and when […]
State Budget Opportunities As the state budget process nears completion, the Legislature should keep the good fixes and make a few more ( PDF Version Here) The Louisiana House of Representatives made key improvements to the state budget that should be sustained as the Senate takes its turn reviewing the annual spending bills. Additional steps would further […]