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Enrollment in Louisiana’s food assistance program has declined significantly over the past six months and has almost reached pre-pandemic levels. While the number of food stamp recipients continues to fall, roughly 800,000 residents – nearly one in five state residents – still rely on the program for groceries.
Louisiana’s largest sources of money to pay for coastal restoration and protection work will run dry within the next decade, leaving the state far short of the cash needed to fulfill its master plan, respond to climate change and safeguard its residents and businesses.
The National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration predicts an “above average” 2022 hurricane season, creating another round of worrying for Louisiana residents who are still recovering from significant damages.
Oil prices per barrel have spiked higher than in the years prior to the COVID-19 pandemic. West Texas Intermediate (WTI) was $118.57 per barrel on June 6. According to Macrotrends, the previous high was in summer of 2014.
Louisiana lawmakers completed a three-month regular session more likely to be remembered for the post-pandemic spending spree, record-setting education increases and significant infrastructure investments than for sweeping policy changes.
Louisiana’s booming budget forecast grew even larger, at least for the next 14 months, after the state’s income forecasting panel revised its projections to account for the taxes pouring into state coffers.
Even as they wisely steer money to debt payments, education and infrastructure investments, Louisiana lawmakers also are making the short-sighted, politically driven decision to spend millions of dollars on local pet projects without public vetting or explanation.