Sherman Mack Archives - Louisiana Budget Project

April 30, 2018

Stigmatizing the poor through Medicaid

In a small surprise, the state Legislature has backed off its attempts to force Medicaid recipients to have jobs in exchange for receiving health coverage, and to pay co-pays anytime they see a doctor - both of which were major issues earlier this year in a special session. But that doesn’t mean lawmakers have given up on harassing low-income people who need health care.

Number of the Day

73 - Percentage of state prison guards who quit within their first year on the job. Gov. John Bel Edwards wants $7 million included in next year’s budget for a salary hike in an attempt to reduce the attrition (Source: The Associated Press)

May 31, 2017

Another tax reform bill bites the dust

With the Legislature scheduled to adjourn in eight days, the chances of lawmakers agreeing on a solution to the $1.3 billion fiscal “cliff” in 2018 are increasingly remote.

Number of the Day

1,100- nonviolent offenders to be released from prison by next summer if the criminal justice package is approved without amendments (Source: NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune)