Principles for Broadband Expansion with the American Rescue Plan of 2021

04/02/2021
Louisiana’s state and local governments will be receiving approximately $5.18 billion from the federal government because of the American Rescue Plan of 2021. Part of that $5.18 billion is earmarked for water, sewer, and broadband infrastructure projects. The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted that many rural areas still struggle with broadband internet access.  Louisiana policymakers should invest...

TAGS: broadband internet, COVID-19, innovation, Louisiana, Louisiana Legislature, technology

A year later: Where are we?

03/05/2021
by Eric Peterson, director of the Pelican Center for Technology and Innovation Policy This week is a somber anniversary, as it marks one year since Americans were forced to lockdown across the country due to the COVID-19 pandemic. So, after a year of health and economic devastation caused by the virus and subsequent government lockdowns,...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Unemployment, Unemployment Rate

State Job Numbers Are No Cause for Celebration

By Daniel J. Erspamer
02/12/2021
As Louisianans celebrate a vastly different kind of Mardi Gras this year, the latest economic data shows that COVID-19 has resulted in far more than cancelled parades. State and local government officials’ response to the pandemic has also led to significant job losses. Louisiana’s new economic data shows that while the number of Louisianans on...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Mardi Gras, Unemployment, Unemployment Insurance

Reading Between the Lines on Latest Jobs Report

02/01/2021
by Eric Peterson, director of the Pelican Center for Technology and Innovation Policy At first glance, the December State Employment and Unemployment report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics appeared positive for Louisiana. However, a closer look at the numbers reveals there is still a long way to go in the state’s economic recovery. The...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Department of Labor, Get Louisiana Working, jobs and opportunity, occupational licensing, regulatory reform, tax reform

Last Jobs Report of the Year A Mixed Bag

12/29/2020
by Eric Peterson, Director of Policy During the holiday season, Louisianans have more on their mind than the latest state economic reports. Yet as we enter the New Year, it’s important to understand where our state’s economy stands. Two reports, one from the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) and the other from the Bureau of...

TAGS: Bureau of Economic Analysis, Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Economic Analysis, Economy, Gross Domestic Product, jobs and opportunity, lawsuit abuse, legal reform, occupational licensing, regulatory reform, tax reform

Update on Louisiana Emergency Declaration Lawsuit

By Sarah Harbison
12/23/2020
by Sarah Harbison, general counsel, Pelican Institute On Monday, the Louisiana Supreme Court issued a ruling in Gov. John Bel Edwards v. Louisiana State Legislature, et al. The court vacated the district court’s ruling that the statute authorizing the legislature’s petition to terminate the governor’s public health emergency order was unconstitutional and sent the case...

TAGS: COVID-19, lawsuits, Louisiana Supreme Court

Despite hiccups, Louisiana economy slowly moving forward

12/08/2020
by Eric Peterson, Director of Policy As 2020 winds down, I can’t help but reflect on the difficulties we’ve all experienced, both on the health and economic fronts, throughout this year. Fortunately, as a vaccine appears within reach, so too is a return to a strong economy. The latest jobs release from the Bureau of...

TAGS: Bureau Of Labor Statistics, COVID-19, Mardi Gras, tax reform, Unemployment, Unemployment Insurance, Unemployment Rate

Is SCOTUS turning the corner on COVID-19 restrictions?

By Sarah Harbison
12/01/2020
by Sarah Harbison, General Counsel at the Pelican Institute As many of us were completing our Thanksgiving Day meal prep on Wednesday, Nov. 25, the U.S. Supreme Court granted a temporary injunction against New York Governor Andrew Cuomo’s executive order limiting religious service attendance. The ruling is something Louisiana lawmakers and citizens alike should take...

TAGS: COVID-19, First Amendment, Pelican Center for Justice, Religious freedom, U.S. Constitution, U.S. Supreme Court

Unemployment Fraud in Louisiana?

By Daniel J. Erspamer
11/30/2020
Two weeks ago, it appeared as though the Louisiana economy was once again headed for darker times. As other states were reinstituting stricter lockdown penalties and Mayor LaToya Cantrell was canceling Mardi Gras, the number of new Louisiana unemployment claims skyrocketed to over 40,000. It seemed the lack of travel to Louisiana might have resulted in...

TAGS: COVID-19, fraud, Louisiana Workforce Commission, Unemployment, Unemployment Insurance