Statements
Statement from LBP Executive Director Jan Moller
The Louisiand Department of Natural resources announced a set of proposed rules on Tuesday to address wasteful routine venting and flaring of natural gas, primarily methane. Oil and gas companies in Louisiana wasted more than $82 million worth of gas in 2019 – enough to meet more than two-thirds of residential natural gas demand in the state for a year.… Read more...
The 2023 Louisiana legislative session began with great promise and ended with chaos, confusion and disappointment.
With record amounts of revenue at their disposal, state policymakers failed to give public school teachers a permanent pay raise, and made a last-minute decision to cut $100 million that supports health care programs for low-income Louisianans and people with disabilities.… Read more...
The Revenue Estimating Conference’s latest forecast, issued on Thursday, confirms that Louisiana’s economy continues to grow at a strong and sustainable pace. The revenue resulting from that growth is more than enough to provide meaningful raises for classroom teachers, maintain programs for our youngest learners and address Louisiana’s long-neglected infrastructure needs. … Read more...
Executive budget is a good beginning
Louisiana’s financial picture is in surprisingly strong shape after the economic and social upheaval of the Covid-19 pandemic. Gov. John Bel Edwards’ 2023-24 executive budget is a responsible proposal that would make much-needed investments in public education and services for the state’s most vulnerable children, while reaffirming Louisiana’s commitment to building up its financial reserves for an inevitable rainy day. … Read more...