A popular Mexican restaurant in Lafayette has purchased the Lone Star Steakhouse & Saloon building on Acadian Thruway just south of Interstate 10. Coyote Blues paid $2.1 million for the Lone Star site, which has been vacant since it was damaged by a fire earlier this year. Braxton Moody IV, who owns Coyote Blues, says plans are to demolish the property and build a new location from the ground up. Moody, who opened the Outback Steakhouse across Acadian, says he would like to open Coyote Blues in time for LSU football season. "This is a good time to be moving into Baton Rouge," he says. "The major chains are pulling back, but we're blessed with the recovery and $118 a barrel oil." Coyote Blues, which will turn 5 years old this month, has won several Times of Acadiana magazine polls as Lafayette's best Mexican restaurant. A Baton Rouge location has been in the works for more than a year. "We think we've hit on a unique concept, fresh Mex with a Louisiana fusion and mesquite burning grills," Moody says.--Timothy Boone
House Bill 792 by Rep. Bodi White, a Republican who represents part of Central, would remove the fledgling city from BREC’s taxing authority and create a new entity to govern parks and recreation within its borders. The House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural affairs is scheduled to address the bill at 9:30 a.m. Thursday. White says Central residents have needed better facilities for years. Central has more than 1,000 people playing on 93 baseball and softball teams that share 10 diamonds. They could also use a soccer field, a second football field and maybe a covered track, among other requests. “[BREC] might do it one day, but they’re tired of waiting,” White says. He says about 80% of Central voters went against the most recent BREC tax renewal, showing the level of public dissatisfaction. But it’s not just about facilities. It also is about having control over local tax money; specifically, about 14 mills, generating over $1 million annually from Central residents. To read a longer version of the story, click here. Send your comments here.--David Jacobs
U.S. Chamber: Louisiana has nation's second worst legal climate
Louisiana has the nation's second worst legal system, and Orleans Parish was ranked as one of the 10 least fair and reasonable court systems in the country, according to a report released this morning by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce. Louisiana dropped one spot on the Chamber's annual legal rankings, which are based on a survey of more than 950 corporate lawyers. Tom Donohue, president and CEO of the U.S. Chamber, says the state has taken some steps to improve its business climate, but more work needs to be done, including a comprehensive look at fixing the lawsuit system. "The best thing Louisiana can do to attract business is to have a balanced legal system," he says. "An unfair legal system sucks the life out of a state's economy. It slows business expansion, it kills jobs and it takes money out of consumers' pockets." A separate survey showed that 89% of Louisiana business owners think frivolous lawsuits are a serious problem and 69% want the Legislature to enact tort reform to protect businesses. West Virginia was ranked as having the worst legal climate in the country, while Delaware topped the list. Read the report here. Send your comments here.
Chamber releases steps needed to help LSU reach full potential
The Baton Rouge Area Chamber has released a strategy paper outlining the legislative actions that must be taken in order to turn LSU into a premier public research university. The paper urges the Legislature to increase operational funding for the school, invest in research facilities, raise tuition and/or fees and return tuition and fee authority to the Board of Supervisors. "We have an important opportunity in this legislative session to invest in our state's flagship research university and the economic future of the Baton Rouge area," says Adam Knapp, BRAC president and CEO. To read the report, click here.
Lights! Camera! Louisiana!
In only a few years, Louisiana has become the third busiest state in the country for movie and TV production. The entertainment industry could spend up to $1 billion this year alone, and Baton Rouge is taking steps to get a bigger share of the business. But more states are looking to emulate the incentives that made Louisiana so attractive to Hollywood. Read the Business Report cover story about the movie industry here. Send your comments here.
Sales tax collections increase nearly 5%
Sales tax collections in East Baton Rouge Parish have increased by almost 5% during the first two months of the year. Businesses across the parish have collected nearly $24 million in taxes, excluding vehicle sales, according to figures from the city-parish Department of Finance. Activity has increased the most in the unincorporated areas of the parish, with collections increasing by 8.5% to $9.6 million. Sales in the incorporated areas accounted for the biggest portion of tax revenues, $14.3 million.
BP America donates money for two new schools
BP America's largest cash donation to LSU will allow the university's College of Education and Advance Baton Rouge, a group championing "systemic change" in K-12 public education, to "further our efforts to promote true educational innovation in Louisiana," says Jayne Fleener, who is the dean of the College of Education. BP America is donating $500,000 to a joint effort to establish two college prep schools for Baton Rouge public school students. The "autonomous" schools, slated to open in fall 2009, will combine small classroom sizes with high expectations. One school will emphasize digital arts and technology, and the other will emphasize math, science, technology and engineering. Students will be chosen through an open admissions process. BP America's chairman and president Bob Malone says the schools will create a training ground for oil and gas and other industries important to Louisiana and the Gulf Coast. Advance Baton Rouge Executive Director Kristy Hebert says her group's alternative certification program for principals will provide "entrepreneurial leaders" to help "maximize student outcomes" at the new schools. -- Steve Clark
Report: Federal per capita spending highest in Louisiana
Louisiana had the highest per capita federal spending rate in the country in 2006, with the government distributing $16,232 for each resident, according to a U.S. Census Bureau report. The spending figures were boosted by Hurricane Katrina rebuilding and recovery efforts; Mississippi ranked second with the government spending $14,516 per resident. Minnesota was ranked last, with federal spending per capita coming in at $6,175. California got the biggest share of federal money, receiving 10.3% of the $2.45 trillion in domestic spending.
Poll: National economy in a recession
Most Daily Report readers believe the national economy is in a recession. Sixty-one percent of the people who participated in an online survey say a recession is happening, while 28% say there is no recession and 11% are unsure. More than 1,550 people participated in the survey.
Today's question: How do you rate Louisiana's legal climate?
News roundup: Salsbury honored by Chrysler; travel magazine lists hot destinations, airlines to start charging for second piece of luggage
Big dealer: Salsbury's Dodge City was one of nearly 200 Chrysler dealers to be honored by the automaker for selling more than 1,000 vehicles during 2007. The Baton Rouge dealership was named a member of the Dodge Charger Club. The only other Louisiana Chrysler dealer to receive the honor was Acadiana Dodge in Lafayette. Hot spots:Conde Nast Traveler has released its annual hot list of the best new hotels, restaurants, spas and nightclubs. One New Orleans attraction made the list—Luke, John Besh's new restaurant. To look at the list, click here. That baggage will cost you: Five of the six major airlines plan to start charging coach passengers as much as $25 to check a second bag, The New York Times reports. The new fee, which will take effect in May, is being levied by Continental, Delta, Northwest, United and US Airways in an effort to offset rising fuel prices. AirTran will charge $10 for a second bag. The move is expected to hit business travelers, especially those who are carrying product samples or trade show materials. Read the story here.
