President Biden’s team moves forward with the first-ever Gulf of Mexico offshore wind sale. Teiko Foxx has more…:
_______________________________________________
Tax reforms passed in 2021 now have Louisiana ranked among the lowest state income tax rates, where they were once among the highest. Kevin Gallagher has more…:
Cut 2 (31) “…I’m Kevin Gallagher.”
_______________________________________________
After being canceled in 2021 and smaller parade routes in 2022 how was Mardi Gras this year? Brooke Thorington asks Mardi Gras Guide Publisher Arthur Hardy.
Cut 3 (30) “…I’m Brooke Thorington.”
_____________________________________________
President Biden’s administration moved closer to meeting its offshore wind energy goals by announcing lease sales for developments in the Gulf of Mexico yesterday. Interim Executive Director of the Center of LSU Energy Studies, Greg Upton says the move is promising for investors.
A proposed sale for offshore acreage off of Lake Charles, LA, and two areas near Galveston, Texas offshore lines will allow Gulf Coast companies to build closer to home.
Upton says the workforce availability may be limited short term.
Although an operational wind turbine in the Gulf of Mexico is still a few years out – The Gulf auction would be the fourth offshore wind sale since Biden took office.
_____________________________________________
Now that tax reforms passed by lawmakers a few years ago have kicked in, Louisiana now has the 6th-lowest state income tax rate in the country. That data comes from a new report by the Tax Foundation. Baton Rouge tax attorney and consultant Jason DeCuir (“de-KWEER) says our state was among the highest (6-percent) until recently…:
Cut 7 (08) “…where we have been.”
DeCuir says the 2021 Legislature passed a so-called tax swap reform package, which removed taxpayers’ ability to deduct their annual federal taxes paid….:
DeCuir says lowering the state tax burden will almost certainly help Louisiana with future economic development…:
Cut 9 (07) “…one of the highest.”
Despite the now lower tax rates, Louisiana is still on track to collect about 40-percent of its annual revenue from income taxes and other declaration and withholding taxes. Legislative efforts are expected this spring to end state income tax altogether.
_______________________________________________
Now that the 2023 carnival season is in the books, how did it compare to Mardi Gras last year and those before? Mardi Gras Guide publisher Arthur Hardy gives it two thumbs up and says Mardi Gras as we know it in New Orleans is back.
Cut 10 (10) “…normal is good.”
Another bonus this year was the return to previous parade routes. Hardy says he was very pleased, as were others, to learn in late January that the city was able to secure enough law enforcement so parades could return to their previous routes.
Cut 11 (13) “…just wonderful.”
In 2021 when Mardi Gras was canceled several homeowners in New Orleans elaborately decorated their homes similar to parade floats. Hardy says that’s a new trend that might be here to stay.
Cut 12 (06) “…of the streets.”
And because Mardi Gras will come early in 2024 on February 13th Hardy says he’s already working on next year’s guide.
______________________________________________
Since a petition allegedly met its signature goal in New Orleans to recall Mayor LaToya Cantrell, we asked ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross if he believes it will spark other recall campaigns around the state He believes it will.
Cut 13 (14) “…representatives.”
Cross says a recall isn’t cheap, and it’s a huge undertaking. He says signatures are usually collected by pay-for-play people who make 75 cents to $2 per signature. Cross says if it’s not a grassroots movement, in order to be successful, it takes donors with deep pockets that are deeply dissatisfied with an elected official.
In California, a recall effort was responsible for the removal of Governor Gray Davis which allow Arnold Schwarzenegger to be elected, so it can happen Cross says when a higher threshold of valid signatures is required.
And because you’re required to have a certain percentage of signatures from the number of registered voters, Pearson says it’s not as difficult in small cities and towns.
Cut 15 (12) “…in small towns.”
And Pearson says many times a recall is a statement of dissatisfaction versus we’re going to remove someone from office. Before a recall election can be called, signatures from the petitioned must be validated.
______________________________________________
The fifth-ranked LSU women’s basketball team is in Nashville tonight to face Vanderbilt. After giving up 79 points in Sunday’s win at Florida and 88 points in a recent loss to South Carolina, Coach Kim Mulkey is looking for better field goal percentage defense…
Cut 16 (21) “..get their attention.”
In the win over the Gators a few role players stepped up as Jasmine Carson knocked down a career-high seven three-pointers and LaDazhia Williams had a double-double. Mulkey says they’ll need more from their supporting cast…