Canceled: The decision to close the Interstate 10 bridge at the Louisiana-Texas line is having an impact on the Lake Charles area’s convention and tourism business, The Advertiser reports. Eric Zartler, sales director for the Lake Charles/Southwest Louisiana Convention and Visitors Bureau, says three sporting events were canceled this week that would have meant 600 to 800 hotel room rentals per night this weekend. He says the sporting tournaments would have marked the first big outdoor sports weekend of the season for the Lake Charles area. The loss of up to 1,600 hotel rentals over the weekend would have a negative impact both for hotel keepers and local sales tax collections, he says. Read the full story.
Budget matters: The state’s Task Force on Structural Changes in Budget and Tax Policy met this morning to continue budget and tax reform evaluations that began during the special session. The task force has been given the responsibility of making recommendations for changes to the state’s tax laws, enhancing the efficiency and fairness of the state’s tax policies for businesses and individuals, and examining the structure of state’s budget. It must submit a report the state legislature by Sept. 1. See a resolution outlining the task force’s directive.
Crackdown: The Obama administration continued its crackdown on air pollution from oil and gas operations Thursday, this time targeting offshore drilling. Fuelfix.com reports the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management announced it is developing new air standards for the first time in more than three decades. Looking at operations in the Gulf of Mexico and Arctic Ocean, the proposed rules are designed to rein in emissions on everything from offshore platforms to the ice breakers that clear the way off the coast of Alaska. The administration is seeking to clean up an industry that had largely avoided the tough air pollution standards placed on power plants and other large industrial operations. Read the full story.
