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It was apparent from the moment it was announced that this special session of the Legislature was poorly timed and failed to allow for sufficient planning and debate. Fortunately, the possibility of using most of the state’s recovery-related windfall revenues to improve its long-term prospects remains intact. Unfortunately, $239 million in unnecessary tax credits for […]
The Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA) board will vote this Thursday on whether to approve a $300 million request to partially fund the rebuilding of charity hospital in New Orleans. The LRA should recommend that the Legislature only grant the Office of Facility Planning and Control enough for land acquisition and planning fees – roughly $70 […]
Calling a special legislative session immediately after additional and surplus revenues are officially recognized next week is a bad idea. There is no compelling reason to hastily spend the nearly $2 billion expected to be estimated – except to generate political support with promises of pay raises, rebate checks and tax cuts. The governor should […]
Two new research analysts have joined the staff of the Public Affairs Research Council. Ann W. Heath was hired as a research analyst and staff attorney. Her research will focus on education policy. Scott Ellzey’s research will focus on government ethics, transparency and administration. Prior to joining PAR, Heath worked in private practice as an […]
Louisiana stumbled across the finish line last week to complete the first phase of a long journey toward a better health care system. Now that the initial outline for reform of the New Orleans region has been submitted to federal officials by the Oct. 20 deadline, the Louisiana Health Care Redesign Collaborative should exercise the […]
Plans are currently being developed to spend a large state budget surplus from last year. Some estimates predict the surplus amount, which will be finalized in December, will reach $800 million. Elected officials are circulating proposals to spend some of the surplus to issue property insurance rebate checks. That would circumvent current constitutional limitations on […]
The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR) today released its “Guide to the Proposed Constitutional Amendments” for the Nov. 7 ballot, which explains the potential impact of the eight proposals facing the public in the upcoming election. The “Guide” is available on PAR’s Web site at www.la-par.org. Printed copies will be available next week. “The PAR […]
The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, Inc. (PAR) today released the “Guide to the Proposed Constitutional Amendments” for the September 30 ballot, which explains the potential impact of the 13 proposals facing the public in the upcoming election. PAR will publish a separate guide examining the eight proposed amendments scheduled for the November 7 ballot. The […]