LSU economist Loren Scott discusses his early analysis of the GOP’s 1.5 trillion dollar tax bill. Don Molino has more…
______________________________________
It could be an interesting 2018 in Louisiana politics. Kelley Ray has more.
______________________________________________
Top Republicans and the governor are sparring ahead of a January 19th deadline for a deal on the fiscal cliff. Matt Doyle has more.
____________________________________________________
A few national corporations announced they’d be giving holiday bonuses last week as a result of the GOP tax bill, but on a local level the response has been somewhat more muted. LSU economist Loren Scott says Louisiana business are still analyzing the thousand page tax bill, and it’s too early to predict exactly how it will play out back home…
The bill is a substantial reduction in corporate and business taxes, and is aimed at enticing foreign businesses to relocate to the USA, and inspiring domestic businesses to expand. Republicans say the bill will help maintain the current three percent growth in GDP, and Scott says if that happens, it would be a big boost to the Louisiana economy…
On the individual level, the bill capped state and local tax deductions and a number of other personal deductions, while lowering tax brackets and doubling the standard deduction. The complex restructuring hit people in some states such as California and New York particularly hard, but Scott says Louisiana is a different tax environment…
______________________________________________________________
2018 could be a volatile year in Louisiana politics. It’s a somewhat quiet year for elections, but UL-Lafayette Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the Legislature and Governor John Bel Edwards have a long road facing them after the one cent sales tax falls off the books June 30th, leaving Louisiana with a one-billion-dollar deficit…
Even though the Governor’s election is nearly two years in the future, there has already been talk of possible opponents against Governor Edwards. Republican Congressman Ralph Abraham has already said he’s thinking about it and other potential GOP challengers including John Kennedy, Jeff Landry and Garret Graves as well. Cross says some want to see changes in the top state office…
The Louisiana Congressional delegation appears to be solid going into the mid-term elections this year. Cross feels 3rd District Congressman Clay Higgins faces the most opposition…
__________________________________________________________
The looming fiscal cliff has party leaders preparing for a series of tense negotiations ahead of a January 19th deadline imposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. That deadline was set with the hope that legislative leaders would have the framework for a deal to address an imminent one billion dollar shortfall. State Republican Party Chairman Roger Villere is not happy with the governor’s deadline…
Edwards wants a deal in principle by January 19th so he can call a special session in February to pass new tax laws to address the budget deficit. The Governor says he wants a revenue neutral plan, but Villere says Edwards is really calling for a tax hike.
But Governor Edwards says he’s not looking for additional revenue in the new plan. He’s proposing to reduce the state sales tax from five to four cents, but remove sales tax exemptions on businesses and tax services like cable TV…
Edwards says he set the deadline to avoid the legislative gridlock that could sink his hopes for substantial reform…
Cut 13 (12) “from leadership.”
_________________________________
The Louisiana Department of Transportation has raised the toll rate on the Louisiana Highway 1 bridge at Leeville by as much as 25 percent. The bond agreement with the bond holders mandates an increase every five years due to the debt incurred when the bridge was constructed in 2009. DOTD Secretary Shawn Wilson says explains…
Wilson says there will be increases across the board in eight different vehicle categories…
This is one of two tolling structures in the state. Wilson says if Louisiana residents want better roads, they may look at more toll roads in the Bayou State…
GeauxPass holders will continue to be able to use the LA-1 bridge as before without having to stop to pay their toll.
__________________________________________________
The LSU men’s basketball team has made great strides during the first year with Will Wade as their head coach. The 9-and-3 Tigers are coming off a road win over Memphis, but tonight they face 17th ranked Kentucky. Sophomore Skylar Mays on the team’s mindset heading into the biggest game of their season…
LSU has been led by freshman Tremont Waters, who is averaging 17 points, six assists and shooting 45-percent from three point range. Waters says they are looking forward to playing one of college basketball’s traditional powers…
Waters will be matched up with Kentucky point guard Quade Green, who is one of five Wildcat players who average in double figures. The two have played against each other since the 7th grade. Waters on Green’s game…