Jeremy Alford covers the best (and the worst) in Louisiana politics and government through a Tuesday opinion column and a news aggregation item on Fridays. When he isn't fishing or managing his emotions during another New Orleans Pelicans season, he serves as the managing editor of LaPolitics Weekly, The Tracker and Beltway Beat. He is the author of “The Last Constitution” and co-authored “Long Shot: A Soldier, a Senator, a Serious Sin, an Epic Louisiana Election” and “The Party Is Over: The New Louisiana Politics.” His work has received support from the Pulitzer Prizes, the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation and the Center for Public Broadcasting.

Alford: Mayoral elections offer political lessons

There are rarely earth-shattering surprises found on election ballots in Louisiana, but there are...

Alford: Taxes give legislative leaders a reason to dig in

Senate President Page Cortez turned heads last week when he said a special session...

‘LaPolitics’: Budget hearings underway amid ‘rosier’ outlook

The Legislature’s chief money committees both started their budget hearings this week. Republican members...

Alford: Saturday’s elections bring few surprises

This past Saturday’s elections in Louisiana brought with them the first official day of...

‘LaPolitics’: Campaigns embrace political return of Facebook

Facebook’s decision to resume its political and advocacy advertising program earlier this month was...

Alford: Lawmakers suddenly have windfalls to carve up

A few months ago, everyone in Capitoland seemed to be sweating possible budget cuts....

Alford: Wildlife department reaches fiscal crossroads

Lower oil prices and a stagnant fee structure have prompted officials at the Department...

‘LaPolitics’: Redistricting session faces more delays

Usually around this time in the decennial redistricting process state lawmakers would be knee-deep...

Alford: Sports betting, casino license on the table during session

The fate of one of the state’s 15 casino licenses and the structure of...

Alford: Sales tax issues also on Legislature’s agenda

While bills related to the gas tax and our income tax rates will share...