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Alford: Mayoral elections offer political lessons
There are rarely earth-shattering surprises found on election ballots in Louisiana, but there are always eyebrow-raisers among our local contests. Just a review of...
Alford: Taxes give legislative leaders a reason to dig in
Senate President Page Cortez turned heads last week when he said a special session might be needed later this year to address tax issues...
Alford: Saturday’s elections bring few surprises
This past Saturday’s elections in Louisiana brought with them the first official day of spring, one new member of Congress and a couple of...
Alford: Lawmakers suddenly have windfalls to carve up
A few months ago, everyone in Capitoland seemed to be sweating possible budget cuts. The economic downturn that trailed the coronavirus had not been...
Alford: Wildlife department reaches fiscal crossroads
Lower oil prices and a stagnant fee structure have prompted officials at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to ask lawmakers for a $20...
JR Ball: When property tax incompetence is rewarded
The incompetence of Baton Rouge Tax Assessor Brian Wilson is enabling the wealthy and influential to get a steep property tax discount—and nobody seems to care.
Riegel: Shotgun weddings are bad for economic development
The manner in which the LSU board handled the awarding of an energy services contract for the Baton Rouge campus is a black eye for Louisiana's economic development efforts.
Publisher: Headlines can say … and mean … a lot
Publisher Rolfe McCollister presents recent headlines and tells you the story behind the story; also his concerns about big tech censorship and a salute to this year's Business Awards and Hall of Fame honorees.
Alford: Sports betting, casino license on the table during session
The fate of one of the state’s 15 casino licenses and the structure of sports betting in Louisiana will both be on the agenda...
Alford: Sales tax issues also on Legislature’s agenda
While bills related to the gas tax and our income tax rates will share a sizable portion of the regular session’s center stage this...
Marie Constantin: Capturing litter could prevent flooding
I learned something remarkably interesting yesterday.
When I called the FSA (Florida Stormwater Association) to confirm my facts about money coming into Miami's stormwater program,...
Alford: Issues put on hold for COVID-19 begin to resurface
The regular session that convenes April 12 will mark a return to normality for state legislators. Last year, representatives and senators were forced to...
Riegel: The cost of Baton Rouge ignoring its stormwater problems
Baton Rouge may be upset about its litter problem but it seems to be ignoring an even bigger problem—our Stormwater Management Program which is out of EPA compliance.
Publisher: Comments by Collis Temple Jr. reflect poorly on LSU
Collis Temple, as an LSU board member, overstepped his authority and sent a chill through the First Amendment with his criticism of Donald Rouse Sr. in the aftermath of the riot at the U.S. Capitol.
Alford: Lawmakers drafting ambitious tax plan
Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Chairman Bret Allain and House Ways and Means Chairman Stuart Bishop said in separate interviews last week that they...
JR Ball: Steve Carter-a life well lived
Steve Carter—a gracious man with mesmerizing blue eyes, a cherubic face, that devilish grin and a personality that could fill Tiger Stadium—was a Pied Piper of living large, laughing through life in a minivan and collecting friends along the way.
Alford: Will DC distractions slow down coronavirus relief for states?
Legislative leaders aren’t suffering the same kind of anxiety as they did last year while waiting on Congress to approve COVID-19 relief dollars, but...
Alford: Taxes, redistricting are top priorities for House speaker
When he was elected in January 2020, Speaker Clay Schexnayder was greeted with a divided House that was knee deep in toxic politics. While...
Alford: Statewide 2023 races begin now
It may not feel like it now, but Louisiana's statewide elections slated for 2023 are right around the corner. And while some of the...
Waguespack: Sad, speechless and spent
LABI's Stephen Waguespack is stunned by what's happening in America and says it's time to restore civility and respect to our national discourse.
