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The Revenue Estimating Conference’s May revenue estimate is overdue. Annually, the Legislature relies on a May revenue estimate revision to make final adjustments to the state budget for the upcoming fiscal year that begins in July. At least one member has suggested skipping that part of the process this year. To hold off on a […]
Louisiana provides one of the highest homestead property tax exemptions in the nation. Homeowners are exempt from paying most property taxes on the first $75,000 of their home value, keeping property taxes quite low compared to elsewhere. Yet, several constitutional amendments are being considered this legislative session that would increase the homestead exemption. The proposals […]
Louisiana’s ethics code generally prohibits public servants from receiving things of economic value, barring certain exceptions. Past exceptions, such as free tickets to events and lavish wining and dining from special interest groups, fueled public perception that access to policy makers could be bought. As a result, exceptions such as these were eliminated or scaled […]
Louisiana law generally provides that documents of public bodies shall be open to the public. However, hundreds of exceptions to the general rule have been created both in statute and case law. This session, the Legislature is again considering redefining the public records exception for the office of the governor. One bill (SB 278) being […]
An individual income tax reduction passed during last year’s legislative session will reduce state tax revenue by around $360 million for FY10 and will lower taxes by up to $500 for individuals and $1,000 for joint filers. The elimination or delay of this tax cut should be revisited as one of the possible alternatives to […]
Over the past few months, the chorus of voices pressing for reforms in the way local school boards operate has grown. At the same time, those insisting there is nothing wrong with the way local school boards operate have grown more vehement. Meanwhile, Louisiana’s public education system continues to hug the bottom of most lists […]
Sunshine Week (March 15-21, 2009) is a national initiative that highlights the importance of open government and freedom of information. Over the past several decades, PAR has recommended numerous ways to improve citizens’ access to government. Many of those recommendations have been adopted in recent years. However, much remains to be done to bolster transparency, […]