Editor: My hopes for 2013

Every year, during the Christmas season, Business Report Executive Editor JR Ball says his customary cynicism gives way—albeit briefly—to idealistic hope. “This transformation of self is most likely attributable to the steady downing of eggnog, infused with multiple fingers of bourbon and brandy,” Ball writes in his latest column. “Whatever the reason for my season of joyous thought, these feelings almost always dissipate shortly after the Epiphany. (The irony is, indeed, noted.)” Ball says his greatest hopes for the coming year include the following: that “whoever is responsible for estimating state revenues under Gov. Bobby Jindal does a better job of predicting just how much money is actually available for spending”; that “Tim Barfield, Stephen Moret and others in the Jindal administration tasked with developing a tax reform plan are truly interested in making real and systemic changes to how the state gets its revenue”; and that “the people of Louisiana care as much about what’s happening—or not happening—in the classrooms at LSU as they do about what’s happening in Tiger Stadium on Saturday nights.” Read his full column here for Ball’s complete 2013 wish list; and send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.