Governor Edwards announces the stay at home order will end Friday and the state will move into Phase One allowing for 25 percent capacity at businesses like restaurants, churches, and more. Edwards says hair salons, nail salons, gyms, casinos, and movie theaters can also re-open…
The Revenue Estimating conference informed lawmakers Monday to expect a billion-dollar revenue shortfall for the next fiscal year’s budget. Tax collections have taken a significant hit as many businesses have been shuttered as a result of the coronavirus pandemic. The Legislature’s Chief Economist Greg Albrecht says our condition may not improve soon either.
The state budget may be facing a historic cliff but some lawmakers believe Louisiana must implement hundreds of millions of dollars in severance tax suspensions to save the oil industry or things could get much worse. Ways and Means Chairman Stewart Bishop says giving the industry a year of severance suspensions could save it in the long term, even as the budget faces calamity.
New Orleans Representative Jason Hughes says we can’t afford that kind of break, and asked if the industry could cash the windfall and still lay off workers…
The industry has been hammered by a combination of the ongoing price war and COVID economic shutdowns.
The House Transportation committee approves a ban on hold handheld devices while driving, similar to a Senate effort that has moved to the Upper Chamber floor.