Renters in Louisiana are on average facing dues that aren’t compatible with their wages and with the eviction moratorium coming to a close they could be displaced. Erik Piccoli has the story…
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The Bayou State ranks at the top when it comes to something few like to pay. Brooke Thorington has more.
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Governor Edwin Edwards will lie in state Saturday at the State Capitol. Matt Doyle spoke with one of his longtime legislative allies about Edwards’ legacy…
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Louisiana ranks at the top of the list, that’s the list for the highest combined state and local sales tax rate in the country. Tax Foundation Policy Analyst Janelle Cammenga says the average sales tax rate in Louisiana is 9.55-percent and coming in at a close second place, is Tennessee.
The Bayou State consistently ranks high when you compare sales tax rates among other states. Cammenga says on average states rely on their sales tax for 24-percent of their state and local tax collection.
Cammenga says a common problem plaguing most states is that their sales base is not as broad as it should be. She says during the depression most states concentrated sales taxes on goods versus services and now that the economy has shifted.
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She says tax rates can sometimes be a determining factor for companies looking to relocate.
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A report by the National Low Income Housing Coalition shows Louisiana renters have to make nearly 18 dollars an hour to afford a modest two-bedroom apartment in the state. Research analyst Dan Threet says compared to Louisiana wages…
The issue is more pronounced in certain parts of the state such as New Orleans where renters must make nearly $21 and in Baton Rouge where they must make nearly $20.
Threet says responses to unaffordable housing include the short-term distribution of emergency rental assistance money and in the long term addressing the structural housing affordability problem…
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With the end of the eviction moratorium, certain renters are likely to face eviction and displacement in the following months. Threet says about 16% of renters across the country are not current on their rent…
Cut 9 (11) “…rent payment go late”
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Longtime allies of Governor Edwin Edwards will pay their last respects Saturday as the Cajun Prince is set to lie in state at one of his favorite places on earth, the state Capitol.
Longtime lawmaker Francis Thompson entered the legislature during Edwards’ first term. He says the two of them went hunting and fishing together every year for 40 years. He says Edwards won every competition…
Thompson, a Delhi Democrat, says Edwards understood the need for rural development and how the cities wouldn’t grow if the agricultural economy wasn’t built up.
The two did have a major disagreement over Edwards’ push to expand gambling in the state.
Thompson says Cajun Prince will ultimately be remembered as one of the state’s greatest governors despite his many scandals and stint in federal prison.
A private funeral will be Sunday that will be streamed live.
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Louisianans in 47 parishes can now play online fantasy sports for at least one site after the Gaming Control Board approved a license for DraftKings yesterday.
Louisiana Gaming Enforcement Division Trooper Joseph Hall says they conducted a thorough background check of everyone involved with the company before signing off.
DraftKings launched the first mobile fantasy gaming app in 2013 and is available in 43 states.
State Police Gaming Division Audit Director Jeff Traylor says DraftKings expects to see about 15.5 million in net revenue for the current fiscal year.
Traylor says an audit of DraftKings finances shows they’ve been losing money for years but that’s not a real problem for the state given their online-only presence.
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With The MLB draft in the books LSU coach Jay Johnson can get a feel for what his roster may look like next season. The Tigers return every starting position players from last year’s team and several key pitchers elected to return to LSU. Coach Johnson says a veteran presence will be a positive for his team.
While he has a bunch of players returning, he’s also filling out his staff as he is bringing in Marc Wanaka as a volunteer assistant, who has coached under Johnson at multiple stops. Coach Johnson says he’s excited to have him on staff.
One player who decided to stay in Baton Rouge is pitcher Devin Fontenot. Fontenot was the team’s closer last season but says he returned to LSU to prove he can be in the starting rotation.
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