(BIG) Solutions (mini) Summit(s) Tax Reform Recap

By Daniel J. Erspamer

04/03/2021

Louisiana’s tax code is a serious hindrance to job growth in our state. During the Pelican Institute’s recent “(BIG) Solutions (mini) Summit(s),” our expert keynote speakers and panelists offered several proven solutions to simplify Louisiana’s burdensome tax code. If you missed the Summit(s), take a look at the videos below to learn how we can...

TAGS: Budget, jobs and opportunity, Louisiana, Louisiana Legislature, tax reform, Taxes

Amendment 4 will Get Louisiana Working

By Daniel J. Erspamer

10/16/2020

When facing difficult financial circumstances, Louisiana families take the steps they need to rein in their spending and plan responsibly for future expenses. This is not the case when it comes to how our state currently approaches budgeting. Fortunately, Louisianans Constitutional Amendment 4, is on the Nov. 3 ballot, is offering an opportunity for Louisianans...

TAGS: balanced budget, Budget, constitutional amendment, jobs and opportunity

July Sees Major Spike in Louisiana Unemployment Claims

07/09/2020

Following the revelation that Louisiana suffered one of the worst Q1 economic declines in the nation, today’s weekly unemployment claims announcement contains even more bad news for Louisianans. Despite remaining steady over the past six weeks, the Department of Labor reports the week of July 4 saw a 45 percent increase in the number of...

TAGS: Budget, Department of Labor, Get Louisiana Working, legal reform, Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Rate

Big Victory for Policy to Get Louisiana Working

06/15/2020

On Monday, in a major win for policies to Get Louisiana Working, Governor John Bel Edwards signed Representative Beau Beaullieu’s HB 469 into law. HB 469 reforms our state budget process to rein in reckless spending. Over the last few years Louisiana’s general fund has grown by nearly 12 percent, while our population has decreased...

TAGS: Budget, Get Louisiana Working, Government Spending, HB 469, spending, State Spending

Pelican Unveils Policy Solutions to Get Louisiana Working in the Aftermath of COVID-19

04/30/2020

Today, the Pelican Institute released its Get Louisiana Working Policy Solutions. This plan outlines reforms to key public policy areas to encourage the return of jobs and opportunity and to strengthen the state’s economy following the destruction resulting from COVID-19 and measures taken to address it. The Pelican Institute is also calling on state leaders...

TAGS: Budget, COVID-19, Criminal Justice Reform, Get Louisiana Working, infrastructure, jobs and opportunity, lawsuit abuse, legal reform, occupational licensing, re-entry ready, regulatory reform, tax reform, transportation

Economic Shocks Should Signal Spending Restraint from Lawmakers

03/25/2020

With tens of thousands of Louisianans now out of a job due to effects of the spread of COVID-19, household budgets are being reviewed and adjusted to ensure families stay afloat during this uncertain period. But while individuals and families across Louisiana are facing the largest and most immediate financial impacts of this crisis, the...

TAGS: balanced budget, Budget, Budget crisis, Government Spending, State Spending

Missed Opportunities During Legislative Session Increases Importance of Fall 2019 Elections

06/07/2019

With the 2019 regular legislative session coming to a close this week, the Pelican Institute wants to take some time to reflect on the victories achieved and opportunities missed by lawmakers. This was an abbreviated legislative session and that, combined with rapidly approaching fall elections, made chances for the possibility of enacting transformational policy reforms...

TAGS: Budget, Education Reform, Free Market, Louisiana, Louisiana Legislature, Medicaid, Taxes, Transparency

While Louisiana is Sinking, Many Are Concerned with Re-arranging the Deck Chairs

05/29/2019

It’s no secret to the people of Louisiana that things aren’t going well. The state has a shrinking labor force, an antiquated budget system, a struggling education system and a backlog of infrastructure projects that are in need of addressing. Given these issues, it’s no surprise that there is a sizable population that is leaving...

TAGS: Budget, Education Reform, Louisiana, Louisiana Legislature, Medicaid, Transparency

Citizen’s Guide to the Louisiana Fiscal Cliff

01/19/2018

As the state faces down a looming budget gap, there will be a number of proposals on the table. But, what is the real situation, and what should our state leaders do about it? Get all the facts in the Pelican Institute’s Citizen’s Guide to the Fiscal Cliff.

TAGS: Budget, Fiscal Cliff, John Bel Edwards

One Hand Tied Behind Their Backs

By John Kay

07/09/2013

While Louisiana faces many of the same fiscal issues faced by other states, our problems have been compounded by the fact that we have an appropriations process that is particularly inflexible.

TAGS: Budget, federal mandates, Health Care, Higher Education, Louisiana Legislature, spending

A Tax Plan for Our Brighter Future

A Tax Plan for Our Brighter Future paper-digital In Louisiana’s Comeback: A Tax Reform for Our Brighter Future, the Pelican Institute identifies the state’s significant tax problems and proposes a path to set the state in a brighter direction, including flattening the personal and corporate income taxes to 3.5% rates, reducing the number of tax preferences, eliminating...

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