The latest data from the U.S. Census Bureau includes some good and bad news for Louisiana. A new chartbook from the Louisiana Budget Project analyzes the data and explains why it matters. Louisiana’s official poverty rate decreased slightly in 2022, but still remains the second highest in the nation.… Read more... The post Census 2022: Poverty, Income and Health Insurance in Louisiana appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

Louisiana voters will decide on four proposed changes to the state constitution in the Nov. 18 runoff election. A new report by the Louisiana Budget Project explains and analyzes each amendment so voters can make their own decisions when they head to the polls. … Read more... The post LBP guide to the 2023 constitutional amendments  appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

Four proposed amendments to Louisiana’s constitution await voters in the Oct. 14 statewide primary election. Voters will decide whether election officials can accept donations from nonprofit organizations, whether in-person religious services deserve an extra layer of constitutional protection, how the state should allocate surplus money, and whether cities should have the right to take away a lucrative property tax break from landlords that have serious code violations. … Read more... The post LBP guide to the 2023 constitutional amendments  appeared first on Louisiana Budget Projec ..read more

Louisiana’s economy works best when everyone – including large petrochemical corporations headquartered in other states or countries – pays their fair share in taxes to ensure that every community has access to good schools, affordable health care and safe streets.  The state’s corporate franchise tax is a key component of making sure that the biggest, most profitable companies don’t escape tax liability.… Read more... The post Don’t erode the franchise tax appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

… Read more... The post The 2023 Legislature: Missed Opportunities appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

The 2023 Louisiana legislative session began with great promise and ended with chaos, confusion and disappointment.  With record amounts of revenue at their disposal, state policymakers failed to give public school teachers a permanent pay raise, and made a last-minute decision to cut $100 million that supports health care programs for low-income Louisianans and people with disabilities.… Read more... The post LBP statement on the 2023 legislative session appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

There are many important numbers in Louisiana’s state budget, but one that matters most this week: 70.  That’s how many votes constitute a two-thirds majority in the state House of Representatives. It’s what’s needed to make sure all public school teachers get the $3,000 pay raise they deserve, investments in early childhood services can continue, and construction projects in every corner of the state can get the funding they need.… Read more... The post Commentary: It’s time to lift the expenditure cap appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

The state budget is supposed to reflect Louisiana’s priorities. As the annual legislative session reached the halfway point this week, the budget bill crafted by House conservatives fails to prioritize teachers, people with Medicaid coverage and parents with preschool children.   The changes made by the House took a sensible budget proposal from Gov.… Read more... The post House budget reflects misplaced priorities appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

Louisiana’s economy works best when it works for everyone, regardless of race or ZIP code. With the Legislature beginning its two-month “fiscal” session last week, the Louisiana Budget Project is focused on ensuring that Louisiana has the revenue it needs to continue investing in its people and communities so that every family has what they need to reach their full potential. … Read more... The post LBP 2023 Legislative Priorities appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more

… Read more... The post Census Louisiana: Poverty, Income and Health Insurance appeared first on Louisiana Budget Project ..read more