The Case for Pension Reform

By Kevin Kane

05/22/2012

The complex nature of the retirement system tends to obscure the importance of pension reform. This has contributed to an unfortunate lack of urgency over the years. But while the details can appear daunting, the crux of the matter is simple: Louisiana has promised its retirees more than it can deliver.

TAGS: Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana, Pension Reform, pensions, Rep. Kevin Pearson, Retirement Benefits, Sen. Elbert Guillory, Taxes

Protecting Public Safety and Reducing Costs in Louisiana

By Kevin Kane

05/21/2012

By building on existing research from the Louisiana Sentencing Commission and following key principles that have guided successful reforms in Texas and other states, Louisiana policymakers can take the next steps to enhance public safety in the state and control costs borne by taxpayers.

TAGS: Bobby Jindal, Criminal Justice, Criminal Justice Reform, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana, Louisiana Legislature

Teachers Unions Accused of Working to Restore the Status Quo

By Kevin Mooney

05/15/2012

As an alternative to the “draconian Jindal approach” to education reform, the state’s teachers unions have offered up legislation that would revoke value-added teacher assessments, reinstate tenure and empower school boards over superintendents.

TAGS: Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Louisiana Association of Educators, Louisiana Federation of Teachers, Standardized tests, teachers

A Work in Progress

By Editor

05/02/2012

Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposals to boost employee contributions, alter benefit calculations and increase the official retirement age will soon undergo substantive changes during floor debate in the Upper Chamber.

TAGS: Bobby Jindal, Budget, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana, Pension Reform, pensions, Retirement Benefits

Louisiana’s Teacher Evaluation System Could Remove Tenure from “Autopilot”

By Kevin Mooney

02/01/2012

Tenure reform should be linked to a new teacher evaluation system set to go into effect later this year that makes use of student test scores, according to Gov. Bobby Jindal and top figures in education and business who back his reform package.

TAGS: Education, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Tenure

The Cost of Elections, Pt. 2

By Editor

11/04/2011

Part 2 in Jeremy Alford's series on Louisiana campaign finance, including how much each candidate paid for each vote.

TAGS: Campaign Finance, Dr. Pearson Cross, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Jason Herbert, Jim Donelon, Louisiana Ethics Administration, Moon Griffon

ObamaCare’s Regulatory Uncertainty Stirs Republican and Democratic Criticism at the State Level

By Kevin Mooney

10/25/2011

Even as they differ over the merits and defects of health care exchanges, state officials from across party lines continue to express concern over the regulatory uncertainty attached to ObamaCare.

TAGS: Gov. Bobby Jindal, health care exchanges, National Governors Association, ObamaCare, Rep. Bill Cassidy

Debate Intensifies Over Alleged Profit Motive in Public Education

By Kevin Mooney

10/19/2011

Are business interests plotting to take over the public education system and turn a profit at the expense of the public? That is the charge leading figures within the Coalition for Public Education have aimed against Gov. Bobby Jindal and the school board candidates who favor charter schools.

TAGS: BESE, Charter Schools, Coalition for Public Education, election, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, Recovery School District, school board, Teach for America

BESE Candidates Sharply Divided Over Letter Grade System Measuring School Performance

By Kevin Mooney

10/07/2011

Letter grades that show a sizable percentage of Louisiana public schools are either failing or under-performing continue to generate controversy. A union-led coalition warns against Gov. Jindal's privatization agenda, while a business group says the unions fear transparency and accountability.

TAGS: BESE, Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Coalition for Louisiana Public Education, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, New Orleans, Recovery School District

Charter School Movement Could Be Curtailed If Union BESE Candidates Prevail

By Kevin Mooney

09/22/2011

Louisiana’s experiment with charter schools could be restrained and limited if the right mix of candidates running for the state’s top school board seats do not prevail in this year’s election, warn industry officials who are backing several newcomers and three incumbents.

TAGS: Board of Education and Elementary Secondary Education, Charter Schools, Gov. Bobby Jindal, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, School choice

Louisiana’s Comeback Agenda

Louisiana’s Comeback Agenda is a bold vision for policy change in Louisiana. Given our economic and cultural assets, Louisiana should be an economic powerhouse. This agenda is the roadmap for how we get there. It’s intended to serve as a guide for lawmakers, candidates, and community leaders to spark discussion and debate toward proven policies that will...

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