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1 week ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
Gov. Jeff Landry’s budget left more meat on the capital outlay bone this year, giving legislators more room to include their own brick-and-mortar priorities. Lawmakers, however, are being asked not to get greedy and to think carefully about their requests.
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2 weeks ago | 
businessreport.com | David Jacobs |Jeremy Alford |Holly Duchmann
“It was a very surprising moment,” reflects Rep. Annie Spell, “and a little surreal.”One tends to remember the moment they become the newest member of the Louisiana House of Representatives. For Spell, it happened as she was walking into her home. That’s when Lafayette Parish Clerk of Court Louis Perret called to say congrats. It was just after 4:30 p.m. on March 14, the conclusion of qualifying, and no one else had signed up to run in House District 45.
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1 month ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
After voters spat out their attempt to overhaul the article of the Constitution that governs revenue and finance through a single amendment, lawmakers are working to break up a similar rewrite into more bite-sized chunks. Friday was the deadline to prefile constitutional amendment proposals, so legislators and staff were working through the details as this column was being compiled. Some of the bills that members are working on may be essentially placeholders destined for numerous amendments.
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1 month ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
As a new governor and Legislature took office at the state Capitol last year, both lobbyist registrations and overall related spending hit record highs in Louisiana, a state that elevates politics as a sport and a profession. The supporting data, compiled by the Ethics Administration, covers executive, legislative and local government filings, but the growth area can definitely be found among those seeking influence over the House and Senate.
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1 month ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
As a new governor and Legislature took office at the state Capitol last year, both lobbyist registrations and overall related spending hit record highs in Louisiana, a state that elevates politics as a sport and a profession. The supporting data, compiled by the Ethics Administration, covers executive, legislative and local government filings, but the growth area can definitely be found among those seeking influence over the House and Senate.
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1 month ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
—FIELDS CONFIDENT IN KEEPING SEAT: The U.S. Supreme Court will hear arguments on Monday in a case that will determine the future of Louisiana’s congressional map. The outcome of Louisiana v. Callais also could determine how federal laws are applied to redistricting processes nationwide. LaPolitics caught up with Congressman Cleo Fields, who represents the redrawn 6th District that could be thrown out. Fields, however, likes his position. “I’m very confident,” the congressman says.
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1 month ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
When it comes to tax policy, Capitoland is focused more on the March 29 ballot than on the upcoming fiscal session, as lawmakers and advocates mobilize for and against Amendment 2, the Article VII overhaul that came out of last year’s tax special session. But whether it passes or not, the work lawmakers did in the November session will dictate much of the fiscal action that kicks off in April.
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2 months ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
Senate Majority Leader John Thune has deputized U.S. Sen. John Kennedy to take the lead in convincing President Donald Trump to develop a strategy for raising the debt limit later this year, which the president is not eager to do, Politico reports. “I’ve done it publicly and privately, and it’s clear to me that the president is not ready to focus that much on the debt limit,” Kennedy says. “I think the president is clearly aggravated having to deal with it. And I don’t blame him.
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2 months ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
LaPolitics: What are the most important factors that drove Louisiana’s improved National Assessment of Educational Progress scores, while most other states posted disappointing results? State Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley: The most important factor is our teachers, who have risen to the occasion with their commitment to best practices.
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2 months ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
LaPolitics: What will LABI’s priorities be for this year’s regular session? Jim Patterson, senior vice president, government relations, Louisiana Association of Business and Industry: We’re not sure, because a lot of it turns on this election coming up on March 29. For example, [Amendment 2] provides a mechanism for local governments to let go of their inventory tax.
