Archives

Sunlight Over Secrecy: Why HB 763 Matters

Louisiana works best when government operates in the open. At the Pelican Institute, that’s a prin...

Ignore the Chicken Littles on Amendment 3: Constitutional Fund Dedications are No Way to Craft a Budget

Louisiana voters will consider five constitutional amendments when they got to the polls on May 16. ...

Government Growth Limit: Louisiana’s Next Step

Louisiana is moving in the right direction. Under Governor Jeff Landry, the state is beginning to de...

Rules of the Road: Driverless Cars and Federal Frameworks

Self-driving cars took to New Orleans last year to learn the roads, pot holes, and all of the city�...

New Orleans Can’t Afford to Pay City Workers for Union Business

The City of New Orleans’ budget woes are well documented. At the end of 2025, the City required a ...

Louisiana Can Fully Fund LA GATOR and Here’s How—It’s a Matter of Priorities

Louisiana lawmakers debating whether to fully fund the LA GATOR education savings account program sh...

World Tour: Age Verification Edition

Attempts to age gate the internet and restrict social media use based on age checks are not distinct...

Louisiana Lawmakers Consider Fix for Private School Pre-K Overreach

Schools decry largest expansion of government regulation in state’s history, possible closures  I...

LEGAL ANALYSIS: U.S. Supreme Court Ruling in Landmark Louisiana Coastal Lawsuit

Yesterday, the U.S. Supreme Court issued an 8-0 decision in Chevron USA, Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish....

Pelican Institute Releases Statement on Unanimous Supreme Court Decision in Chevron USA v. Plaquemines Parish

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: sydney@pelicaninstitute.org April 17, 2026   NEW ORLEANS,...

Breaking the Cycle of Bad Regulation

In the book of Ecclesiastes, the author writes of the cyclical nature of human affairs. “What has ...

Pelican Institute Urges Support for SB 490: Protecting Louisiana Families from Rising Energy Costs While Powering Economic Growth

As Louisiana lawmakers and utility regulators convene today to address growing electricity demand an...

Entergy’s New Mega-Deal: How Does It Measure Up to President Trump’s Ratepayer Protection Pledge?

Entergy Louisiana’s March 27 announcement of a dramatically expanded power agreement with Meta for...

Growing Louisiana’s Workforce: Why HB 680 Is Essential to “One Door to Work”

Louisiana stands at a pivotal moment. With tens of billions of dollars in new economic development p...

Run the Numbers: What Can Data Tell Us About AI?

The conversation around artificial intelligence (AI) has quickly become a testing ground for competi...

Courting Disaster: What Do New Social Media Rulings Mean for the Future of Free Speech and American Innovation?

Last week, juries in New Mexico and California reached verdicts against Meta and YouTube of $375 mil...

Louisiana’s Nursing Home Moratorium Is Protectionism

When the government makes it illegal to open new nursing homes or add beds where people need care, t...

17,000 Students, One Clear Message: Fully Fund LA GATOR

Louisiana families have spoken—and they are demanding more educational opportunity. The latest app...

New Pelican Report Finds Regulatory Mechanisms, Not Rising Demand, Are Key Drivers of Increasing Electricity Costs in Louisiana

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: sydney@pelicaninstitute.org March 31, 2026 “Shock to the Sys...

A Guide to Louisiana’s May 2026 Constitutional Amendments

Constitutional amendments offer voters an opportunity to shape the fundamental rules of government. ...

Louisiana Constitutional Amendment 5: Extend Judicial Retirement Age?

The Pelican Institute is neutral on Constitutional Amendment 5, but it recommends voters weigh both ...

YES on Constitutional Amendment 4: Begin to End the Inventory Tax

The Pelican Institute recommends a YES vote on Constitutional Amendment 4. Sound tax policy should d...

YES on Constitutional Amendment 3: Pay off Debt and Make Teacher Pay Raise Permanent

The Pelican Institute recommends a YES vote on Constitutional Amendment 3. Good public policy often ...

YES on Constitutional Amendment 2: Local Decisions, Better Outcomes

The Pelican Institute recommends a YES vote on Constitutional Amendment 2. Government works best whe...

Yes on Constitutional Amendment 1: Enact Civil Service Reform

The Pelican Institute recommends a YES vote on Amendment 1. Representative government demands accoun...

A Free-Market Path Forward in Louisiana’s PBM Debate

PBMs play a complex but important role in the healthcare system. As intermediaries, they negotiate d...

Six for ’26: Great Occupational Licensing Reforms to Watch in the 2026 Regular Legislative Session

The 2026 regular legislative session brings some welcome news for occupational licensure reform. Thi...

Untangling the Truth About Natural Hair Braiding in Louisiana

The Louisiana legislature will once again consider bills related to the practice of natural hair bra...

A Foundation to Build Upon: White House Releases a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence

Last Friday, the White House released a National Policy Framework for Artificial Intelligence (AI)...

Meet the Candidates Running for Louisiana's Public Service Commission

When Louisiana voters go to the polls this May, most of their attention will be fixed on the U.S. Se...

Louisiana Can’t Afford More Dedicated Funds in the State’s Budget

Louisiana lawmakers continue to make the state budget more rigid and less responsive by expanding th...

Louisiana AI Legislative Update

The Louisiana Regular Legislative Session convened on March 9th. Lawmakers introduced more than 20 b...

Let’s Clear the Air: Separating FACT from FICTION on LA GATOR

There’s been a lot of chatter lately about Louisiana’s Giving All True Opportunity to Rise (LA G...

Pelican Institute Releases New Report Exposing $115 Million in Outside Funding and Outdated Policies Blocking Louisiana Energy Dominance

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: sydney@pelicaninstitute.org March 13, 2026 New Orleans, LA— ...

Louisiana Supreme Court Delivers a Win for Common Sense and Economic Growth

What if a single court decision could unlock billions in investment, protect local decision-making, ...

AI bills could threaten $800M in broadband funds, officials say

BENDILY: Louisiana’s AI bills should avoid the pitfalls of the ‘Terrible Ten’

Haven’t We Been Here Before?

Last week, the U.S. House Committee on Energy and Commerce advanced several bills, three of which we...

Louisiana Requires 500 Hours of Training To Braid Hair Professionally. This Bill Would Increase It.

At least a dozen new legacy lawsuits target energy industry

Pelican Institute poll cites cost of living, inflation as top issues among Louisiana voters

Keep Prescriptive Rail Mandates Out of Surface Transportation Legislation

For Whom Are the Data Centers?

Amazon announced their plans to build two large-scale data centers in Caddo and Bossier Parish last ...

Louisiana’s Economic Strategy Must Invest in People, Too

Beyond the Yard Signs: Looking for Principled Policy in Louisiana Candidates

Numerous political races are currently underway in Louisiana, which can be both exciting and overwhe...

Braid Against the Machine: Louisiana’s 600-Hour Money Grab

The number of states eliminating or reforming their requirements to braid natural hair has increased...

Louisiana Public Service Commission candidates speak to voters at summit

Rising costs dominate Louisiana voter concerns ahead of session

Poll shows approval ratings down for Trump, Landry, lawmakers between 2025 and 2026

NEW POLL: Louisiana Voters Sound the Alarm on Rising Costs, Demand School Choice Funding and Legal Reform as Legislative Session Begins; Carnival Season Debate Adds Local Flavor

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: sydney@pelicaninstitute.org March 3, 2026 BATON ROUGE, LA—As...