We Need Transparency in our Schools

By Daniel J. Erspamer

04/06/2021

Taxpayers should know where the government is spending their money.

TAGS: BESE, Charter Schools, Education, Education Reform, Louisiana Legislature, Transparency

What Louisiana’s Government Should and Shouldn’t Do During COVID-19

03/20/2020

As the COVID-19 pandemic continues to impact Louisiana, the response by the governor and the various boards of the state has been swift and far-reaching. The Pelican Institute appreciates their efforts to remove red tape in areas like telemedicine and delaying tax payments for hard-working Louisianans, which is critical in a time of economic crisis...

TAGS: regulation, regulatory reform, technology, Transparency

Louisianans Deserve Transparency in Education Spending

03/11/2020

Despite spending more on education than most of its neighbors, Louisiana is producing worse outcomes for its students and paying its teachers less. Solving this problem is made more difficult by the lack of transparency around the details of exactly how and where taxpayer dollars are being spent on education. While we know Louisiana spends...

TAGS: Education Reform, Transparency

Union Members Deserve to Know How Their Money is Spent

02/19/2020

For years, the Pelican Institute has maintained its position as an outspoken advocate for transparency in government. Whether it has been education spending or spending on construction projects, the Pelican Institute believes you should know where your hard-earned tax dollars are going. It was with this principle in mind that the Pelican Institute recently submitted...

TAGS: public sector unions, Transparency

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

Guest Commentary: Let the Sunshine In!

By Robert Ross

04/22/2014

Now is the time for real openness and transparency when private lawyers are hired by the Attorney General to work for Louisiana taxpayers. This practice should not be done behind closed doors, as it is now.

TAGS: Transparency

Higher Ed, Higher Salaries

By Jeremy Alford

06/05/2012

The issue of higher education salaries has caught the attention of state Rep. Simone Champagne, R-Erath. She passed a resolution this session requesting that the Board of Regents "study executive compensation at the university system offices and boards." The final report is due to lawmakers in early February 2013.

TAGS: Budget, Education, Higher Education, louisiana state university, LSU, Transparency

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

Step into the Light, School Boards

By Fergus Hodgson

05/31/2011

Pending website transparency requirements seek to place boards that govern public schools under greater scrutiny. But opponents caution that this is another layer of compliance that will transfer resources away from the classroom.

TAGS: Charter Schools, HB 559, Rosalind Jones, Transparency

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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