Record 47 Million Americans Now Receive Food Stamps

By Matt Cole

10/09/2012

Although food stamp participation rates typically increase during a recession, a new study demonstrates that the rate of growth between 2008 and 2012 is unique.

TAGS: Diana Furchtgott-Roth, food stamps, Louisiana, Manhattan Institute, Obama, SNAP, Stimulus, USDA

State Medicaid Costs Continue to Outpace Education and Other Vital Services

By Kevin Mooney

12/19/2011

Medicaid costs continued to rise in 2011, consuming a greater percentage of overall state spending. This was a result of federal stimulus money, heightened health care expenses and increased enrollment.

TAGS: Louisiana, national association of state budget officers, ObamaCare, Rep. John Fleming, Stimulus

Commentary: Obama High Speed Rail Plan Officially DOA

By Jamison Beuerman

10/14/2011

Once the initial government subsidies end, states would be left to pay for the mammoth costs of a higher-speed version of the failing Amtrak model.

TAGS: High-speed rail, Stimulus, transportation

Proposed High-Speed Rail No Bargain for Louisiana

By Jennifer Moreale

03/06/2010

A feasibility study by Burk-Kleinpeter Inc. and HDR Engineering emphasizes the economic and social benefits of the proposed high-speed rail linking New Orleans to Baton Rouge. Currently under revision, the final report is due March 16. With an estimated 78% probability of having a positive return on investment, the study claims that the value creation...

TAGS: Baton Rouge, Bobby Jindal, Burk-Kleinpeter Inc., HDR Engineering, High-speed rail, Louisiana, New Orleans, Pelican Institute for Public Policy, Randal O'Toole, Stimulus, transportation

Cato’s State of the Union Fact Check

By Jennifer Moreale

01/29/2010

The Cato Institute offers interesting commentary on Obama’s State Of The Union speech. Cato Editors provide useful information on tax cuts, the stimulus bill, the budget freeze, and job creation. Read the State Of The Union Fact Check for information on some of the major statements made during Wednesday’s address to Congress.

TAGS: Barack Obama, Budget Freeze, Cato Institute, State Of The Union, Stimulus, Tax Cuts

House Pledges Billions for Jobs…Again

By Robert Flanagan

12/30/2009

On December 16th, 2009, the House of Representatives narrowly passed a $174 billion piece of legislation intended to boost employment. It provides roughly $50 billion for public works projects and another $50 billion for state and local governments. According to the New York Times, the measure included a “mix of money for highway, transit and...

TAGS: American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, Stimulus

Rising Unemployment and Questionable Projects Highlight Failures of Stimulus Spending

By Robert Rosamond

11/19/2009

Months after the passage of the $787 billion economic stimulus package, rising unemployment and questionable projects highlight the problems with stimulus spending. A Department of Labor report disclosed that, “In all, more than one out of every six workers — 17.5 percent — were unemployed or underemployed in October. The previous recorded high was 17.1...

TAGS: Budget, Deficit, Stimulus

Larry Reed on Louisiana Stimulus

By Kevin Kane

04/07/2009

I had planned to comment on this amusing piece from the New York Times, but Lawrence Reed beat me to the punch. As always, Larry’s take is insightful. Another interesting aspect of the article is that it demonstrates a pronounced shift in the media narrative. Now that Bush is out and Obama is in, Louisiana...

TAGS: Hurricane Katrina, Lawrence Reed, Stimulus

The NY Times Knows Best

By Kevin Kane

04/06/2009

Recently the New York Times editorialized against Governors Bobby Jindal and Rick Perry for threatening to reject federal stimulus money tied to unemployment insurance. The editorial overlooks a number of key issues. First, the governors are chided for “putting ideology ahead of the needs of their constituents.” The assumption seems to be that everyone in...

TAGS: Stimulus

Bobby Jindal on Encouraging Growth in Louisiana

By Trent Hill

03/19/2009

Bobby Jindal has recently been in the national news for his opposition to the stimulus plan and his threat to reject large portions of the stimulus plan. But he acknowledges that there is a problem with the economy and that government can do something–Back Off. A couple of days ago, Jindal penned an editorial in...

TAGS: Bobby Jindal, Stimulus

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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