The tally: Sales tax collections in East Baton Rouge Parish were up 3.75% over collections in November 2014, according to the latest monthly report from the city-parish Finance Department. The report, released late Tuesday, shows $14.7 million in sales taxes were collected in November, up from $14.2 million the previous November. Sales tax revenue inside the Baton Rouge city limits and outside were up during the month. Collections inside the city rose 4.1% to $8.2 million, while collections in the parish were up 3.3% to $6.5 million. Year-to-date, total sales tax collections were at approximately $167.2 million through November 2014, up 2.7% over collections of $162.7 million in the first 11 months of 2014. See the complete report.
Pink slips: Houston-based National Oilwell Varco, an oil and gas equipment supplier, has announced that it is closing its Houma facility and laying off 80 employees. The company informed the Louisiana Workforce Commission last week of the layoffs, according to a Worker Adjustment and Retraining Notification Act notice issued Wednesday afternoon by the LWC. National Oilfield Varco says it will give the 80 employees extra pay and benefits since the company was unable to give them more notice of the layoffs. National Oilfield Varco creates advanced drilling packages for drillers and is publically traded in the New York Stock Exchange. The company’s website makes no mention of the facility closure or layoffs.
In the race: Erick Knezek, the District 8 representative on the Lafayette Parish School Board, has announced he will run for U.S. Congress in November. The Daily Advertiser reports Knezek, a Republican, will run for the 3rd Congressional District seat currently held by Charles Boustany, who is vacating the seat to run for U.S. Senate. A campaign advertisement says Knezek would work to repeal Obamacare, improve education and help businesses grow. The election is in November. Qualifying will take place in July. Lafayette oil and gas executive Greg Ellison has already announced his intention to run for the seat. Other potential candidates include Scott Angelle, a member of the Public Service Commission; as well as State Reps. Stuart Bishop and Brett Geymann. Read the full story.
