New addition: Gov.-elect John Bel Edwards has named Jason DeCuir, director of public affairs for global tax services firm Ryan, to the fiscal transition team to advise Edwards on budget issues, according to a news release. DeCuir was appointed to the Louisiana Sales Tax Streamlining and Modernization Commission in August where he made recommendations on changes to the state and local sales tax policy. DeCuir previously served as chief of staff, assistant secretary and executive counsel for the Louisiana Department of Revenue.
Skyrocketing spending: The latest arms race in college athletics is who can build the most outrageous football locker room, largest scoreboard or fanciest weight room. A Washington Post investigation found 48 schools in 2014 from the five largest athletic conferences, commonly referred to as the Power 5 conferences, spent $772 million on athletic facilities, an 89% increase from the $408 million spent in 2004. Clemson University spent $55 million on a new complex that includes a nine-hole miniature golf course, laser tag area and barber shop. Critics say universities are spending too much on “day spas” to entice teenagers to play sports at their school rather than somewhere else. Read the full story.
Steady growth: Louisiana gained more than 21,000 residents in 2015, according to U.S. Census data released today. Census estimates put Louisiana’s population on July 1 at roughly 4.67 million, up from the approximately 4.65 million estimated on July 1, 2014. The increase marks the fifth straight year Louisiana added residents, the Census has found. Louisiana’s population has grown by more than 137,000 since April 1, 2010, a 3% jump. California still leads the nation in population, followed by Texas, Florida, New York and Illinois. The numbers are not broken down by parish or city.
