Gov. John Bel Edwards

Governor discusses ‘fiscal cliff’

Republican Gov. John Bel Edwards is calling it Louisiana’s “fiscal cliff,” and it’ll be the prime topic of conversations this week when he meets with Republican House Speaker Taylor Barras.

$29 billion state budget OK’d

The Louisiana Legislature sent six bills, including the state operating budget, to Gov. John Bel Edwards Friday, and then promptly folded its tent, ending the special session with three days to spare.

Governor, legislators gather to pray in wake of shooting that wounded Rep. Scalise

After news broke that U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise of Louisiana was shot in the hip early Wednesday morning while practicing in a Virginia park for a charity baseball game later this week, the Louisiana Legislature and governor began their day gathered in prayer in the Capitol Rotunda.

State budget goes into OT

The Louisiana Legislature failed to come to a compromise on the state’s $29 billion budget to fund state agencies next fiscal year, adjourned sine die (for good) at 6 p.m. amid House chaos.

Governor calls special session

Gov. John Bel Edwards Wednesday served legal notice he intends to call a special session of the Legislature 30 minutes after the regular session finally adjourns at its official deadline, 6 p.m. June 8, if the lawmakers have not completed their work on three funding instruments.

GOP presents its budget

Louisiana Republicans advanced their vision for the state’s spending plan Monday, cutting more than $236 million from Gov. John Bel Edwards’ proposed budget by targeting areas like health care, social services and a host of other agencies.

Business tax introduced with meow

By William Taylor Potter/Manship School News Service BATON ROUGE – A key part of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ tax plan quietly was introduced to the House on Monday in the form of House Bill 628 by Rep. Sam Jones, D-Franklin, which would place a tax on gross receipts of businesses.

Capitol battle of the PACs begins

An “armed and ready,” Louisiana-based super PAC called Truth In Politics started taking aim at Gov. John Bel Edwards last week not long after lawmakers convened their spring regular session.

Gov. Edwards: Challenges Republicans to come up with solutions

Gov. John Bel Edwards had a message for Republicans opposing his plans for tax reform: Chart a new path. The call to action came during his State of the State address – the second of Edwards’ tenure – that opened the 60-day Louisiana State Legislature’s 2017 regular session.

Gov. to ask for business tax increase, income tax cut

Gov. John Bel Edwards on Wednesday unveiled a far-reaching tax plan to fix a $1.2 billion fiscal precipice the state is approaching next year, calling for a striking departure from how businesses are currently taxed and cutting income taxes for most Louisiana residents.