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1 week ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
The contract to provide the Louisiana Educational Assessment Program tests expires in 2027, which means the procurement process is a top agenda item for the current Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Members want an “in-depth dive” into testing, “not only what the tests look like, but how they’re formed and what best fits our children today,” says Simone Champagne, a former legislator who was appointed to the board by Gov. Jeff Landry.
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1 week ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
A compressed two-month fiscal session will probably always feel a little hectic. But for many lawmakers, the latest one adjourned last week was even more intense than usual, albeit less fiscal-focused than expected, all the while led by a governor who never stopped pushing. In fact, Gov. Jeff Landry capped off the regular session by threatening—promising?—to call a special session so lawmakers can pass policies he favors involving some of the framework around prescription drug prices.
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2 weeks ago | 
businessreport.com | Jeremy Alford |David Jacobs |Holly Duchmann
After voters rejected a constitutional amendment in March to overhaul state tax law, and in the wake of senators stalling a House-backed plan in recent days to cut individual income and sales taxes, anyone praying for bold and aggressive tax moves from the Louisiana Legislature may have to wait a year or two.
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1 month 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 months 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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2 months 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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2 months 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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2 months 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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Mar 21, 2025 | 
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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Mar 18, 2025 | 
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.
