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

Reasons to Worry?

By Jeremy Alford

05/22/2012

Potential conflicts and a growing interest in hedge funds have some eyeing Louisiana’s public retirement systems with renewed skepticism.

TAGS: hedge funds, Louisiana, Pension Reform, pensions, Retirement, Retirement Benefits, Transparency, TRSL

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

The Truth About Cash Balance Pension Plans

By Kevin Kane

04/26/2012

Critics of Governor Jindal’s proposed “cash balance” pension plan for state employees have made a number of inaccurate claims. The current retirement systems have amassed an astonishing $18.9 billion in unfunded liabilities, but reform opponents defend the status quo with scare tactics while relying on a flawed report from the Legislative Auditor.

TAGS: Bobby Jindal, cash balance, defined benefit, legislature, Pension Reform, pensions, Retirement, Taxes

Special Report: Legacy of a Loophole

By Editor

09/20/2011

A retire-rehire program for teachers was approved by lawmakers 10 years ago, but today more than half of all participants are non-educators, while annual pension payouts are nearing $250 million

TAGS: Budget, Education, Education Reform, Pension Reform, pensions, TRSL

Commentary: Police Pension Funds Blown on Bad Investments, Taxpayers Stuck With Bill

By Jamison Beuerman

05/11/2011

MPERS gambled with public money, and lost. If this were a private company, these disastrous mistakes would surely result in bankruptcy.

TAGS: pensions, state budget, Transparency

Research: Looming Pension Crisis Ignored

By Editor

04/13/2011

The Pelican Institute's latest research compares Louisiana's pension crisis Wisconsin's. Despite less coverage, Louisiana's situation is far worse, and Bobby Jindal's plan is nowhere near enough to make a dent in the unfunded liabilities.

TAGS: Bobby Jindal, LASERS, Louisiana Deficit, Pelican Institute, pensions

Jindal’s Call for Increased Pension Contributions Could Alleviate Future Budget Woes

By Kevin Mooney

03/17/2011

Lawmakers in both parties have been critical of Gov. Bobby Jindal's proposal to increase state employee contributions to the pension plan. In reality, his plan is quite restrained in comparison to other states and some supporters argue that should go even further.

TAGS: Bobby Jindal, pensions, state workers

City Business Op-Ed: Government Pensions Taking Toll on Louisiana’s Financial Stability

By Editor

02/16/2011

"While the $1.6 billion shortfall is a legitimate concern, a greater danger lurks beneath the surface and eventually could dwarf our current challenges."

TAGS: City Business New Orleans, Kevin Kane, Pelican Institute for Public Policy, Pension Reform, pensions

Commentary: California Remains on Course for Economic Disaster

By Jamison Beuerman

11/10/2010

It does not take an economist to explain how union and bureaucrat-backed pension plans are killing California.

TAGS: Barbara Boxer, California, Cap and Trade, climate change legislation, Jerry Brown, Labor, pensions

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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