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Alford: Sales tax becomes a last-minute issue
With roughly a week to go until the regular session can be adjourned, lawmakers are tying up loose ends.
The state operating budget has been...
Alford: Progress and pain at the state Capitol
"This bill has a long way to go and a short time to get there.”
That’s what Ways and Means Chair Stuart Bishop, R-Lafayette, told...
Alford: Tax reform easier said than done
This week marks the midpoint of the Louisiana Legislature’s regular session, so lawmakers are halfway to somewhere. I wish I could offer a more...
JR Ball: The Louisiana curse of resource abundance
If Louisiana hopes to actually compete in an economy powered by knowledge and innovation then it needs to end its resource curse.
Riegel: Remembering a retailer who put people before profit
The death of Henry Bingham Jr., who defied the odds by keeping Our Hardware operating, leaves a hole in the world that is the Perkins Road Overpass.
Publisher: Civil service board must go, jeopardizes public safety
The police civil service board is stacked with union representatives and either needs to go or be reformed as it undermines the authority of the police chief.
Alford: Lawmakers make time for campaign finance
The bills that get introduced by Louisiana lawmakers for consideration in legislative sessions have become predictable. More times than not, for example, there are...
Alford: In Louisiana, elections beget elections
If you’re starting to think these elections are never going to end, that may be because these elections never seem to end.
President Joe Biden...
Alford: Guilt by association a familiar theme in congressional runoff
Democrats playing in the runoff election in the New Orleans-based 2nd Congressional District are trying to tear each other apart over alleged connections to...
JR Ball: Louisiana’s taxing problem
How much we do or don’t pay in taxes isn’t Louisiana’s fundamental fiscal problem. It’s the state’s moronically byzantine tax code as well as which cash kegs get tapped to fill the state’s coffers.
Riegel: Time for gender equity on the LSU board
Recent events at LSU make it abundantly clear the governor needs to bring gender equity to the men's club that is the board of supervisors.
Publisher: Google will disrupt colleges and universities
Google offering career certificates, which most enrollees will earn in six months, could have a seismic disruption on four-year universities.
Alford: Mayoral elections offer political lessons
There are rarely earth-shattering surprises found on election ballots in Louisiana, but there are always eyebrow-raisers among our local contests. Just a review of...
Alford: Taxes give legislative leaders a reason to dig in
Senate President Page Cortez turned heads last week when he said a special session might be needed later this year to address tax issues...
Alford: Saturday’s elections bring few surprises
This past Saturday’s elections in Louisiana brought with them the first official day of spring, one new member of Congress and a couple of...
Alford: Lawmakers suddenly have windfalls to carve up
A few months ago, everyone in Capitoland seemed to be sweating possible budget cuts. The economic downturn that trailed the coronavirus had not been...
Alford: Wildlife department reaches fiscal crossroads
Lower oil prices and a stagnant fee structure have prompted officials at the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries to ask lawmakers for a $20...
JR Ball: When property tax incompetence is rewarded
The incompetence of Baton Rouge Tax Assessor Brian Wilson is enabling the wealthy and influential to get a steep property tax discount—and nobody seems to care.
Riegel: Shotgun weddings are bad for economic development
The manner in which the LSU board handled the awarding of an energy services contract for the Baton Rouge campus is a black eye for Louisiana's economic development efforts.
Publisher: Headlines can say … and mean … a lot
Publisher Rolfe McCollister presents recent headlines and tells you the story behind the story; also his concerns about big tech censorship and a salute to this year's Business Awards and Hall of Fame honorees.
