Jindal, lawmakers compromise on tax cut

Gov. Bobby Jindal said this morning he has reached a compromise with lawmakers on an income tax break that would take effect next year. Jindal announced the deal before a scheduled House tax committee meeting, where lawmakers were scheduled to vote on the bill by Sen. Buddy Shaw. Shaw's bill has been contentious, with the Jindal administration initially opposing the $300 million tax break that would have taken effect this year. Jindal said pushing the drop in state revenue back to 2009 would keep his budget plans intact. "This is a permanent tax cut," he said at a news conference with Shaw and legislative leaders. The House tax committee was scheduled to vote on the bill by Shaw, a Shreveport Republican, later today. Shaw said he was satisfied that taxpayers will eventually be free of the income tax bracket changes under the so-called "Stelly Plan" approved by voters in 2002.

BRAF to receive CityStats report at month's end

A list of about 60 numerical indicators that will be used to quantify the quality of life in the Capital Region will be presented to the Baton Rouge Area Foundation by May 31. Ben Warner of the Jacksonville Community Council Inc., will deliver a list of about 60 indicators, based on suggestions at a series of public meetings. At the Baton Rouge CityStats meeting Tuesday night, about 70 participants broke into groups, reviewed the draft vision statements from the previous meeting, and came up with at least five potential indicators that applied to each of the nine categories. Education, for example, could be measured by the adult literacy rate, among other factors suggested Tuesday night. After it receives Warner's list, BRAF will e-mail the list to the 200 or so people who have signed up for updates and post it on the foundation's Web site. The Baton Rouge Area Chamber has been contracted by BRAF to research the indicators. BRAF will release a report and a Web site early next year, and continue to revisit those same factors each year to guide its projects; they expect other community organizations will do the same. For a recent Business Report story about CityStats, click here --David Jacobs

Cane's lines up $29.5 million in financing

Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers has completed a $29.5 million financing deal that the Baton Rouge-based restaurant chain says will allow it to consolidate debt, increase its cash flow and give it money to grow. Cane's received a $26 million loan and a $3.5 million line of credit from GE Capital Solutions and Franchise Finance. Cane's has been opening restaurants at an aggressive pace and plans to add at least a dozen locations this year. Cane's currently has 70 restaurants in 13 states.

Developer completes land donation for Livingston schools

The Livingston Parish School Board has officially accepted 19 acres from a New Mexico developer and plans to build an elementary school on the site. The board signed off on the donation from Renaissance Development Group, which is developing the Juban Parc subdivision. Renaissance donated 41 acres near the development off of Brown Road so schools could be built on the site. The deal for 22 acres of land that will be the home of a junior high was completed in February. Juban Parc Elementary and Juban Parc Junior High are scheduled to open for the 2009-10 school year.

Louisiana foreclosure rate remains low

The foreclosure rate went up by 64.75% nationally in April, but increased by just 16% in Louisiana. RealtyTrac, an online service that monitors foreclosed properties, says one out of every 519 U.S. households received a default notice, auction sale notice or bank repossession in April. In Louisiana, foreclosure filings were five times less likely to happen; the number was one for every 2,846 households. Louisiana was 39th out of all states and the District of Columbia for foreclosures. Nevada was ranked first, with one filing per every 146 homes.

Poll: Most against budget cuts

Daily Report readers are overwhelmingly against a plan by the Legislature to slash $120 million in spending for social programs and higher education. Seventy percent of the people who responded to an online survey say they are against the cuts. Twenty-five percent say the cuts are a good thing, , while 5% aren't sure. Nearly 1,650 people participated in the survey.

Today's question: Should U.S. Sen. Hillary Clinton drop out of the Democratic presidential race?

News roundup: Gaines, Sternberg to receive humanitarian award; gas prices changing travel plans; state taxes due Thursday

Honor for two authors: Ernest Gaines and Mary Ann Sternberg have been named as this year's winners of the Greater Baton Rouge Brotherhood and Sisterhood Award for their work to promote justice and harmony. Gaines, a native of Pointe Coupee Parish, has received numerous honors for his novels, including winning a National Book Critics Circle Award for fiction in 1993. Sternberg, who lives in Baton Rouge, has been writing narrative nonfiction, essays and books for more than 30 years. The awards, sponsored by 100 Black Men of Baton Rouge, will be presented Aug. 7 during a banquet at the Holiday Inn Select. Fewer, shorter trips: Fifty-one percent of U.S. travelers say high fuel prices have affected their vacation plans, according to a travel site. TripAdvisor, which surveyed more than 4,000 travelers, says that 37% of respondents planned fewer car trips, while 15% say they will drive shorter distances. Don't expect to see empty highways, however: 73% say they will drive to a vacation this summer. Pay up: Thursday is the deadline for Louisiana residents to file their individual state income taxes. That's also the deadline to pay any taxes or to request an extension on your 2007 return. The state Department of Revenue says interest and penalties will be assessed if taxes aren't paid on time.