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The 2014 legislative session ended with a state budget balanced conveniently with contrived and borrowed revenue and the further depletion of trust fund resources. PAR reviews the poor fiscal practices and worthy accomplishments of the spring lawmaking period.
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 […]
(PDF Version here) The 2013 legislative session started with a whimper and ended with a sigh of relief. On Day One, the governor “parked” his tax reform plan, failed to inspire a legislative effort to repeal the income tax and offered no further guidance or motivation to lawmakers. The state budget proved to be a bigger […]
With two weeks left in the 2013 Legislative session, lawmakers are focused on several initiatives that would engender long-term consequences for the state’s fiscal affairs. State officials and the public should fully recognize the future effects and limitations. In particular, the Legislature is poised to limit its budgeting flexibility by placing in the Constitution a […]
Dear Representatives, Thank you for your efforts to draft a “Deficit Reduction Plan” as a proposed House strategy for dealing with the state’s FY 2014 budget. As you know PAR has a strong interest in fiscal and tax issues and we appreciate your willingness to receive input on this important process.
Dear Senator LaFleur: The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has a strong interest in promoting fair and effective ethics laws, as I know you do as well. I appreciate your openness to suggestions on this issue, and particularly this session with regard to your Senate Bill 148.
Dear Senator Donahue: Thank you for initiating the Revenue Study Commission and its task of evaluating the state’s credits, exemptions and rebates. This type of study is timely and could prove to be a worthwhile endeavor.