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A controversial tax proposal to eliminate a controversial tax credit
The Louisiana Legislature will be asked to do away with a long controversial business tax break and remove the tax burden of some of the state’s highest-earning companies. How the proposals would affect the bottom line of the state and local governments, as well as individual taxpayers, is yet to be determined. Sen. Brett Allain, […]
Early voting task force calls on legislature to adequately fund elections
Members of a state panel studying ways to increase early voting turnout have settled on a basic solution to the issue — more money. Louisiana’s Task Force on Early Voting approved a measure Tuesday to recommend an expansion of early voting sites across the state and an increase in voter outreach efforts contingent on receiving […]
Louisiana hosting virtual career fair for tech industry
Louisiana is hosting an online career fair next week to connect job seekers with digital, software development and information technology jobs in Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Covington, Lafayette and New Orleans. Louisiana Economic Development (LED) announced in a press release Monday that five companies seeking to fill more than 50 positions have committed to participate […]
Speckled trout population falls to lowest level ever in Louisiana
Among the most popular fish for anglers and seafood lovers in Louisiana, the speckled trout has reached its lowest population levels ever recorded, according to experts who monitor their numbers. But state lawmakers rejected a proposal Wednesday to protect the species with tightened recreational fishing regulations. Officials from the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries […]
Senate committee peels off requirements for insurers that accept incentive cash
Legislation state lawmakers are considering during a special session to shore up Louisiana’s property insurance market advanced out of a Senate committee Thursday, but not before amendments House lawmakers added the day before were removed. The Senate Finance Committee unanimously approved House Bill 1, sponsored by Rep. Jerome “Zee” Zeringue, R-Houma. It’s scheduled for full […]
House advances two bills to address Louisiana insurance crisis
A Louisiana House committee advanced two bills Tuesday that lawmakers and insurance officials said will provide at least a short-term solution to the state’s property insurance crisis. The approval came after hours of lawmakers’ questions for Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, who said property owners in hurricane-prone parts of the state would likely lose their homes […]
Another study links poverty to poor results at Louisiana schools
A recent state analysis of Louisiana schools reflects what numerous other studies across the country have found: Poverty has a significant impact on student performance. Louisiana Legislative Auditor Mike Waguespack issued an informational brief Wednesday in response to a request from lawmakers for data on the demographics of the state’s public charter schools. Waguespack expanded […]
‘Underdog’ Sharon Hewitt, former engineer, hopes her path leads to governor’s office
Sharon Hewitt said the impact she made with her local parent-teacher association in Slidell inspired her to enter politics in 2015, but she was far from just another mother active in her children’s school. In an interview with the Illuminator, Hewitt said her unique background makes her the best choice for Louisiana’s next governor. Born […]
American Airlines to begin nonstop flights from Baton Rouge to Washington, D.C.
American Airlines will begin offering daily nonstop flights this summer between Baton Rouge and Washington, D.C., providing officials and other travelers from both capitals an alternative option to flying out of New Orleans. The direct flights between Baton Rouge Metro Airport and Reagan National Airport will begin on June 1 with a 76-passenger Embraer 175 […]
Rural health panel links disparities to poverty, wants to work another year
A state panel that has been studying health disparities in rural Louisiana for the past six months has developed a number of legislative recommendations ahead of its March 1 deadline and will ask lawmakers to let it continue its work for an additional year. The Health Disparities in Rural Areas Task Force, created last year […]
Mass layoffs spark protests at federal call centers in La. and Miss.
Mass layoffs this week at the Maximus federal call centers in Louisiana and Mississippi prompted workers to protest at both locations Friday. The call center workers are calling for the immediate rehire of their laid-off colleagues or at least eight weeks of severance pay. Maximus is the nation’s largest federal call center contractor with primary sites […]
Louisiana hosting job fair for military vets seeking aviation careers
Louisiana is co-hosting an in-person hiring event in Bossier City next week for military veterans seeking careers in aviation tech and maintenance. The Louisiana Economic Development’s FastStart division has partnered with the nonprofit veterans support organization NextOp to connect veterans with job opportunities in the aviation field, particularly in Lafayette, Lake Charles and Shreveport. The […]