The legislative session is in full swing, and Governor John Bel Edwards told lawmakers now is the time to implement comprehensive tax reform, so Louisiana can end the cycle of midyear budget cuts. The governor’s proposals would increase taxes on many businesses, but lower rates for individuals.

Cut 13 (12) “days ahead”

The legislative session will last for two months.

The US Department of Housing and Urban Development has opened the line of credit for Louisiana to receive the $1.6 billion Congress appropriated for flood recovery. The Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff Julie Baxter Payer says now is the time for flood victims to fill out the survey at restore.la.gov to see if they are eligible for homeowner assistance. She say the state should have a program manager in place in the next couple of weeks.

A Chinese chemical company chooses Louisiana over Texas to build a 1.1 billion dollar manufacturing complex. State Economic Development Secretary Don Pierson says this will help Louisiana grow as a global leader in chemical manufacturing and he says the project by Wanhua (Wan-hwah) Chemical Group will bring 170 new direct jobs to the state.

Cut 4 (09) “a year”

LED estimates the project will also result in 945 indirect jobs.

Another study by LSU economist Dr. Loren Scott finds the return isn’t there when it comes to state’s film tax credits program as the report shows it causes a significant hit to Louisiana’s budget. Scott says the return of investment was 22-percent in 2016.

Cut 7 (07) “million bucks”