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Louisiana legislators reach tentative budget deal to give teachers $2,000 raise
Louisiana lawmakers have reached a tentative agreement to give public school teachers and other school staff a $2,000 and $1,000 annual raise respectively, legislators across the political spectrum confirmed this week.
U.S. Supreme Court limits federal authority over wetlands
The U.S. Supreme Court has stripped federal agencies of authority over millions of acres of wetlands, expanding the ability of farmers, homebuilders and other developers to dig up or fill wetlands near rivers, lakes and streams.
‘LaPolitics’: Graves gaining national attention for his role in debt ceiling talks
Who is Garret Graves? That may be an odd question to ask in Louisiana, where Graves represents Baton Rouge and the coast in Congress. Elsewhere around the country, however, it’s a good question.
State’s corporate franchise and inventory taxes remain on chopping block
Legislation related to the franchise tax, inventory tax and corporate rebate and exemption programs are advancing in the Louisiana Legislature in an effort to...
Louisiana construction projects, teacher pay raises hinge on spending cap battle
Louisiana teacher raises along with various construction projects hinge on state lawmaker budget negotiations.
LSU, Mayor Broome urge creation of campus cultural district
LSU officials and Mayor Sharon Weston Broome are urging creation of a Louisiana Cultural District that encompasses the university’s flagship campus.
Metro Council to consider seeking cultural district tax breaks for LSU area
The Metro Council will consider asking state officials to designate an LSU Cultural District.
PAR: Lawmakers must be cautious in spending extra cash
Louisiana’s treasury remains flush from better-than-expected corporate, personal income, sales and severance tax collections.
Corporate franchise tax phase-out moves forward in Legislature
Legislation to phase out Louisiana’s corporate franchise tax moved closer to reality on Monday with approval from the House Ways and Means Committee.
State offices continue to spar over use of historic NOLA building
The office that oversees state museums does not ensure that an apartment it controls in a historic New Orleans building is being used only...
Alford: State budget negotiation becomes a timing issue
There’s the math inside the state budget, and then there’s the math to pass the state budget.
Business, good-government groups renew push for a Louisiana ‘reset’
Three of Louisiana’s most prominent nonpartisan policy groups have unveiled a slate of briefings and recommendations that they hope will help guide and inform this year’s state elections.
Louisiana film association OK with incentive bill, with one exception
Legislation that would renew the incentive program that subsidizes Louisiana’s film sector easily cleared the state House of Representatives and awaits a vote in the Senate.
Employee medical marijuana use protected in advancing proposal
The House Labor Committee advanced a bill Thursday that would protect employees who use medical marijuana from being disqualified from receiving unemployment benefits.
‘LaPolitics’: Advertising ramps up in governor’s race
—Stephen Waguespack, the former president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, released his first television ad this week as a candidate for...
Louisiana’s $50B coastal plan heads toward approval
Louisiana’s most recent plan to restore and protect its coast—at a cost of $50 billion—advanced Wednesday through the House Committee on Natural Resources and Environment.
LNG lobbyists ghost wrote Louisiana officials’ letters supporting gas storage project
In an effort to gain federal approval for a natural gas storage project in south Louisiana, Sempra LNG lobbyists crafted letters for Louisiana elected officials to send to federal regulators in support of the project.
Senate passes tax package repealing corporate franchise tax
The state Senate passed a package of legislation Tuesday that would repeal Louisiana’s corporate franchise tax and offset lost tax revenue by slashing the Quality Jobs Program.
NFIB joins in calling on Legislature to pass a budget with ‘meaningful tax relief’
The NFIB’s state chapter has joined several other organizations in calling on the Louisiana Legislature to use the state’s budget surplus to “pass a responsible budget and provide meaningful tax relief to create more economic opportunity for Louisianians,”
Alford: Spending priorities continue to divide Capitol
The members of the coalition, some of whom met last week, are opposed to busting the state’s constitutionally created spending cap for the current fiscal year and the next. They view this tax relief plan as a responsible alternative.
