Publication Type: Commentaries

Managing Medicaid Disenrollment

Louisiana has started removing tens of thousands of people from the state’s Medicaid program, more than 50,000 so far, either because they no longer qualify for the taxpayer financed health insurance or at least haven’t proven they remain eligible.

2023 Legislative Session: Breaching the Cap

Louisiana lawmakers wrapped up their work in a contentious regular session with a chaotic, last-minute flurry of votes on a budget plan that charted spending for the next year, divvied up $2.2 billion in short-term cash and completed the only must-do item for legislators.

Tax Collections Surge Higher

Louisiana’s surging tax collections still haven’t tapered off, with the newest forecasts pouringadditional dollars into state coffers and further complicating tense legislative negotiations overwhat to do with all the cash.

Budget Clash

Spending plans crafted by Republicans leaders in the Louisiana House trade most of the governor’s recommended education investments to instead pay down retirement debt, setting up a financial clash with senators who want a different approach.

Going Virtual: Open Meetings Law Changes

Louisiana Legislature considering bill to broaden online access to public meetings, but with guardrails to ensure citizen participation.

Budget Negotiations: What About the Cliff?

Louisiana’s newest round of budget negotiations began with a $45.7 billion proposal from Gov. John Bel Edwards that sidesteps worries about the impending financial gaps awaiting officials next term and would raise spending on education from preschool through college.

Budget Bonanza Continues

Federal pandemic aid is disappearing, but state tax collections continue to surge, giving Gov. John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Legislature $1.6 billion in unspent cash from the last and current budget years and further boosting the money available for next year’s spending plan