The Future is Now
Improved tax policies, a better business climate and an answer to the fiscal cliff are still possible this session.
Publication Type: Commentaries
Sunshine Week
Louisiana has sound fundamental laws for public records and open meetings that recognize our state constitutional right to review documents and observe meetings of public bodies. Exceptions to these open governance laws should be kept reasonable, and government officials should not be allowed to stretch the rules to deny public access.
New Taxes, New Troubles
Download PDF Version Here. The first six months of 2016 at the state Capitol brought major tax increases, modest budget cuts and further uncertainty about Louisiana’s financial future and business climate. Although the new governor did not achieve all his goals, he took significant steps in the direction of his preferred policies by raising state […]
Transparency in Coastal Restoration Funding: The Need for an Open Process
(PDF Version) Louisiana is poised to receive and spend billions of dollars for coastal protection and restoration over the next decade and beyond. These funds come from a variety of sources. Louisiana has a duty to demonstrate to its funding authorities as well as its citizens that coastal dollars are being well spent and the […]
Out of Chaos Comes Change
With the special session over, state leaders now will take a deep breath and turn their attention to the regular session and a projected $800 million budget imbalance for next fiscal year. The special session bought time but not long-term solutions. Looming on the 2018 horizon is an immense revenue cliff that could pressure leaders […]
Safeguard Coastal Funding
As Louisiana is poised to spend some of its BP oil spill settlement on the state operating budget, now is a good time to evaluate the appropriate use of the various new revenue sources the state is receiving related to coastal damages and offshore drilling. The state’s actions could affect future resources available to Louisiana […]
Mid-Year Budget Plan Hides Coastal Fund Raid and Delayed Health Care Payments
(PDF Version) The Jindal administration is planning to address the latest mid-year state budget crisis with several potential solutions, at least two of which should be reconsidered. One is a raid on the state’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund, a move that would sweep scarce and specially designated dollars for coastal protection and restoration into […]