Louisiana Legislature

Money for judgments also missing from state budget

There’s no money in the House-passed budget to address legal judgments that have been decided against the state and lawmakers are doubtful that any new dollars will be added to the spending plan to pay them next fiscal year, according to Appropriations Chairman Cameron Henry, R-Metairie.

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.

DeVillier ready to hold the line on spending

When the Louisiana Legislature opens its session Monday, Rep. Phillip DeVillier, District 41, said he is open to any ideas and welcomes others to share “...what can be done to fix our repeated budget problems.” But DeVillier, of Eunice, said he ready to keep a lid on state spending.

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.

Higher Ed off budget cut block?

Higher Ed off budget cut block?

Legislators questioned on their ideas

After the three state legislators in attendance of this week’s Legislative Breakfast – Reps. John Stefanski, R-Crowley; and Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice; as well as Sen. Dan “Blade” Morrish, R-Jennings – each delivered a speech, they took a few questions from those in attendance.

Bill proposes ban on toy guns in schools

Louisiana students, technically as young as kindergarteners, who bring toy guns to school could face criminal penalties if House Bill 43, pre-filed by Rep. Dodie Horton, R-Haughton, passes the 2017 Legislature when it convenes April 10.

85% of La. population is in recovery mode

Here’s a sobering statistic: 85 percent of Louisiana’s population — in 56 out of 64 parishes — is in recovery of some sort from natural disasters since March. That was part of the data poured out Thursday to the Senate Select Committee on Women and Children.

How Louisiana’s budget deficit was resolved in the special session

After numerous revisions, political pressure and arm twisting, the 2017 Special Session of the Louisiana Legislature agreed to a formula Wednesday to counter a $304.2 million revenue shortfall.

Next fiscal forecast is a $440M deficit

Less than day after the Louisiana Legislature closed the $304 million mid-year budget deficit, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget Thursday heard Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to address the $440 million shortfall for the next fiscal year, 2017-18.