Capitol Access

“Probably the majority of the electorate doesn’t even know the new state Treasurer will be selected on October 14th,” says Jeremy Alford of lapolitics.com.

The usual indicators of an imminent election aren’t there. Yard signs for local church fall fairs are more prevalent than those for the candidates.  Campaign ads on TV have been rare. 

We hear it a lot – “reduce the size of government”. But what happens when you actually do? Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services Secretary Marketa Garner Walters says in the past decade, they’ve had to cut 30 percent of their workforce.

The approaching fiscal cliff has prompted a whole lot of meetings lately – behind closed doors.

“I’m very optimistic that we’re going to get it done, working with these business roundtable meetings and the legislative leadership in both the House and the Senate,” Governor John Bel Edwards said, following his meeting with business leaders in Bossier City last week.

In the past month, he has also met with business owners and representatives in Baton Rouge, Alexandria, Houma, and New Orleans. However, House Appropriations chairman Cameron Henry isn’t favorably impressed.

“We have to find a way to fund TOPS for grown folks,” says Louisiana Community and Technical College System president Monty Sullivan, especially since the system now has the responsibility for adult education in the state -- a huge task.

What is a power plant, water company, or railroad worth in Louisiana? Much more than Monopoly money.

“If they did this different methodology, which is supported by national organizations and which other states use, the value of these companies would increase by $2.4 billion.”

Should Louisiana allow utility companies to compete? That’s one of the questions posed to Public Service Commission candidates at a forum Tuesday.

Today we continue the conversation with Public Affairs Research Council president Robert Travis Scott, looking into the proposed constitutional amendments on the October 14th ballot.

Amendment 3 sets up a new dedicated fund for transportation construction.

There’s a trio of proposed constitutional amendments on the October 14th ballot, and PAR’s Guide to the Amendments is out now.

“We don’t tell you how to vote. We give you all the facts and let you make up your own mind,” says Public Affairs Research Council executive director Robert Travis Scott.

“Our state economy is growing, but those benefits are not accruing to workers.”

That’s the conclusion of the 3rd biennial report on “The State of Working Louisiana”, issued by the Louisiana Budget Project Thursday. 

The task force charged with reviewing the TOPS scholarship program held its first meeting Wednesday at the Capitol.