Louisiana Budget Project

Disappointing vote on HB 233 does not end the fight for health coverage expansion

webmaster — Wed, 22 May 2013 01:25:41 +0000

The effort to extend health coverage to low-income Louisianans does not end with today’s disappointing vote in the House, or yesterday’s setback in the Senate. The Legislature’s decision doesn’t change the fact that too many of our hard-working fellow citizens do not have access to basic health security.… Read more...

Private insurance option is a win for patients and providers

webmaster — Tue, 14 May 2013 16:14:05 +0000

A bipartisan plan is coming together in the Louisiana Legislature that urges the Jindal administration to extend health coverage to low-income adults in an innovative way by creating the Louisiana Health Care Independence Program. This new private insurance option — the “Louisiana plan” — would be a major step toward improving and strengthening health care in Louisiana, for several reasons:

The new option is a “Louisiana Plan” that encourages innovation, not a “one-size-fits-all” solution.

Louisiana colleges at lowest funding level since 1950s

webmaster — Thu, 09 May 2013 16:37:37 +0000

Higher Education Commissioner Jim Purcell testified in the Senate Finance Committee this morning, and the news was bleak. We knew that state support for higher education had been cut severely in recent years – at least $625 million since 2008 – but we weren’t aware that it was at its lowest level since the 1950s.… Read more...

Recent evidence continues to support expanding health coverage

webmaster — Tue, 07 May 2013 14:19:56 +0000

A new plan is emerging in the Louisiana Legislature to extend health coverage using federal Medicaid revenue available as part of the health care reform law. Instead of simply expanding the current Medicaid program, the state would use Medicaid dollars to help uninsured adults buy private coverage.… Read more...

Medicaid coverage is good for Louisiana

webmaster — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 20:57:40 +0000

Louisiana legislators have an unprecedented opportunity to boost public health, improve the state’s business climate and save money in the state budget when they take up bills to expand Medicaid coverage this week.

The opportunity to extend coverage to low-income adults using mostly federal dollars means up to 400,000 Louisianans would have access to preventive care and would no longer be one illness or injury away from bankruptcy.… Read more...

Tax Exemption Safeguards Would Prevent Future Waste and Misuse

webmaster — Tue, 23 Apr 2013 14:38:29 +0000

New safeguards are needed to curb the growth of costly tax exemptions, rebates, credits and other loopholes that detract from the state’s ability to fund basic services. The Legislature should ensure that these tax breaks fulfill their original promise by requiring periodic reviews to evaluate the state’s return-on-investment, and by making it easier to eliminate breaks that don’t measure up.… Read more...

Medicaid Expansion Will Benefit Louisiana’s Businesses and the Economy

webmaster — Mon, 15 Apr 2013 16:02:20 +0000

Expanding Medicaid in Louisiana will improve health outcomes for families and reduce mortality rates. It will also provide significant benefits to Louisiana’s businesses and the economy by fostering a stronger workforce, strengthening the insurance market and creating new jobs.

Louisiana businesses will gain from a healthier and more productive workforce.

Working Family Tax Credits Are Good for Louisiana’s Children and Economy

webmaster — Tue, 09 Apr 2013 22:02:20 +0000

Children whose parents receive the federal Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC) do better in school and are more likely to attend college and to earn more as adults, according to a new report from the Center on Budget and Policy Priorities.… Read more...

LBP statement on eliminating the state income tax

webmaster — Mon, 08 Apr 2013 22:31:48 +0000

Louisiana Budget Project Director Jan Moller released the following statement in response to Gov. Bobby Jindal’s announcement that he is abandoning his plan to repeal Louisiana’s income tax while raising and expanding the state sales tax:

“Eliminating the state income tax is still a bad deal for Louisiana — whether it comes from the governor or the Legislature, and whether it’s done all at once or phased in.… Read more...

Tax-Shift Plan Would Raise Taxes on Bottom 60 Percent of Louisiana Households

webmaster — Mon, 01 Apr 2013 22:05:38 +0000

by David Gray

The majority of Louisianans would pay higher taxes under Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed tax shift plan, according to a report released Monday. While the top 1 percent of income earners will get an average tax cut of nearly $30,000, the bottom 60 percent of Louisiana households will actually see their taxes rise if the state income tax is replaced by a 56 percent increase in the state sales tax.… Read more...