By the numbers: Treasurer John Kennedy says the November net receipts report shows total state revenue for this fiscal year, which began in July, is down 12% compared to the first five months of the last fiscal year. Sales, severance and corporation/franchise tax receipts are all down so far this fiscal year. The report includes receipts for sales, individual income, general severance, corporation/franchise, gasoline and special fuels, and miscellaneous taxes. The report does not include gambling revenues, fees, self-generated revenue and statutory dedications. The November report shows total revenue of $2.796 billion so far this fiscal year. State general fund collections have shown a negative growth rate each month this fiscal year, Kennedy says in a news release, though the five-year baseline projection estimates the state general fund will grow by 2.13% this fiscal year. See the complete November report.
Ready to run: U.S. Rep. Charles Boustany, R-Lafayette and dean of Louisiana’s House delegation, has filed his formal papers to run for the U.S. Senate in 2016 and is planning an announcement Monday in Lafayette, The Advertiser reports. Boustany’s formal announcement will come at 5:30 p.m. Monday at 517 W. St. Patrick St., his boyhood home. Boustany is seeking the seat held for two terms by U.S. Sen. David Vitter, R-Metairie, who announced in November that he would not seek a third Senate term in 2016 after losing his bid to be governor. Boustany is a six-term congressman. As previously reported by Daily Report, U.S. Rep. John Fleming officially announced his intention to run for the Senate seat via a web video on Monday. State Rep. Paul Hollis says he is thinking about running and will make a decision early next year. Retired Air Force Col. Rob Maness filed his statement of candidacy with the Federal Election Commission last week, and others including Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and state Treasurer John Kennedy are also considered possible candidates.
STEM growth: West Feliciana High School is receiving $20,000 as the Louisiana winner of the Samsung Solve for Tomorrow Contest. The contest encourages teachers and students to solve real-world problems in their communities by using classroom skills in the science, technology, engineering and math—or STEM—fields. The West Feliciana High students won the award by designing, developing and constructing a working gardening system that may be used to grow fresh vegetables in the home. The award from Samsung will be used to bring the project to fruition. West Feliciana High is among 51 winners nationwide—one in each state and the District of Columbia. The winners also receive a Samsung video camera and laptop to document their projects. West Feliciana High beat out five other finalists in Louisiana, including Baton Rouge Magnet and Brighter Horizon.
