Pelican Policy

Workforce Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

American economists woke to a welcome surprise this morning with the July employment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics. Even with sky-high inflation and negative economic growth for two straight quarters, 528,000 more Americans now have a job, which brought the unemployment rate down to 3.5%. Both of these numbers are now lower than...

By Eric Peterson

Basic Literacy & Numeracy Should be the Least We Expect From Our Public Schools

Last week at a meeting where local school superintendents were reviewing proposed new state K-12 education policies about high schools, there was an interesting discussion about what high schools should be expected to do to help kids who are academically struggling. The question came up after data showed that only 37 percent of Louisiana high...

By Erin Bendily

The Tides Have Turned on Occupational Licensing in Louisiana

Every Louisianan deserves the right to earn a living and pursue their chosen career without fear of artificial government roadblocks. This past legislative session, legislators took an important step forward in allowing entrepreneurship to thrive in the Pelican State without anti-competitive and arbitrary barriers established by occupational licensing boards. As of August 1st, 2022, these...

By Ryan Roberts

Making Sense of School Rankings and Ratings: Parents Just Want it Straight

WalletHub just released another report in which it ranked Louisiana 49th in education. Around the same time, The Advocate reported that 70 percent of high schools in Louisiana are rated “A” or “B.” How can both of these things be true, and where can parents of school-age kids access information about school quality they can...

By Erin Bendily

Report Shows Louisiana Ranked Among Worst for Public Schools

A new Wallethub study reviewed the quality and safety of American public school systems and showed that Louisiana’s public school system ranks 49th overall. The study used quality as 80 percent of the score with safety making up the other 20 percent. To produce the rankings, researchers looked at high-school graduation rates, math and reading...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

June Jobs Report Shows Decline in Jobs

Last week, the Bureau of Labor Statistics released the latest state unemployment numbers. Headlines showing that the unemployment rate decreased from 4 percent to 3.8 percent might have grabbed attention, but the overall report painted a less rosy picture of the Louisiana economy. Even though the unemployment rate decreased in Louisiana, the number of people...

By Eric Peterson

Groups Take Steps to Tackle Rising Crime

Families across Louisiana, as well as the whole country, are feeling the impact of rising crime rates. There’s no denying a significant problem, particularly in America’s cities, as violent and property crime rates increase to recent heights. Of course, this is not a new phenomenon. Crime rates have risen and fallen at various points throughout...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Tax Reform Will Bring Opportunity Home

Louisiana has been plagued with demographic woes for years. In 2021, Louisiana ranked fifth in the nation for population loss. Our state’s population decreased by more than 27,000 people. This was not a one-off issue, but part of a larger negative trend with Louisiana’s resident population decreasing since 2016. One major factor in rapid outmigration...

By John Kay

These New Orleans Kids are Using Web3 to Shape the Future

When looking at where the future of technology is going, it’s best not to ask people my age, but to look at how teenagers interact with technology. This week, I had the opportunity to see young people from New Orleans attend a summer camp with the Youth Empowerment Project. There, they learned from people like...

By Eric Peterson

No Veto Override: A Missed Opportunity for Louisiana’s Kids

Yesterday, Louisiana House of Representatives Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez notified members of the legislature that a special session will not be held to consider overriding some or all of the 29 bills Governor Edwards vetoed from the 2022 Regular Session. This is because a sufficient number of lawmakers — 39 House...

By Erin Bendily

Eric Peterson Joins Jeff Crouere to Discuss the AICOA

Eric Peterson, Director of the Tech and Innovation Center, joins Jeff Crouere’s Ringside Politics to discuss the American Innovation and Choice Online Act (AICOA). Click Here to Listen Online

By Ryan Roberts

June Job Report Suggests Economic Slowdown on Horizon

Like much of the country, Louisianans have been feeling significant economic pressure with high inflation putting a strain on family budgets. Those looking to find a job to cover these extra costs have had success with job openings continuing to outpace growth in the labor force. But as the unemployment rate returns to pre-pandemic levels,...

By Eric Peterson

Social Media Regulations Will Not Help Parents

As COVID-19 recedes and we can interact physically again, many are concerned about the amount of time young people are spending online. These concerns are especially pronounced for young people spending time on social media. As a result, lawmakers and policy professionals have suggested a variety of proposals that would do everything from banning algorithms...

By Eric Peterson

Government Education Monopoly Busted…Just Not in Louisiana

There’s big news for parents of school-age kids. Finally, the chance for all families to choose the school that best fits their child, whether that’s a public school, a private school, homeschool, or a customized or hybrid program. Too bad Louisiana’s children aren’t getting this opportunity. If only our governor would prioritize kids over status...

By Erin Bendily

We believe every Louisianan should
have the opportunity to flourish.

Workforce Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Workforce Back to Pre-Pandemic Levels

Basic Literacy & Numeracy Should be the Least We Expect From Our Public Schools

Basic Literacy & Numeracy Should be the Least We Expect From Our Public Schools

The Tides Have Turned on Occupational Licensing in Louisiana

The Tides Have Turned on Occupational Licensing in Louisiana

Making Sense of School Rankings and Ratings: Parents Just Want it Straight

Making Sense of School Rankings and Ratings: Parents Just Want it Straight

Report Shows Louisiana Ranked Among Worst for Public Schools

Report Shows Louisiana Ranked Among Worst for Public Schools

June Jobs Report Shows Decline in Jobs

June Jobs Report Shows Decline in Jobs

Groups Take Steps to Tackle Rising Crime

Groups Take Steps to Tackle Rising Crime

Tax Reform Will Bring Opportunity Home

Tax Reform Will Bring Opportunity Home

These New Orleans Kids are Using Web3 to Shape the Future

These New Orleans Kids are Using Web3 to Shape the Future

No Veto Override: A Missed Opportunity for Louisiana’s Kids

No Veto Override: A Missed Opportunity for Louisiana’s Kids

Eric Peterson Joins Jeff Crouere to Discuss the AICOA

Eric Peterson Joins Jeff Crouere to Discuss the AICOA

June Job Report Suggests Economic Slowdown on Horizon

June Job Report Suggests Economic Slowdown on Horizon

Social Media Regulations Will Not Help Parents

Social Media Regulations Will Not Help Parents

Government Education Monopoly Busted…Just Not in Louisiana

Government Education Monopoly Busted…Just Not in Louisiana

Learn More About Restoring Louisianans' Right to Earn a Living