state budget Archives - Page 3 of 7 - Louisiana Budget Project

September 25, 2018

Don’t squander the budget surplus

The state’s $300 million budget surplus, spurred by higher-than-expected corporate and personal income tax collections and a small bump in oil and gas taxes, has prompted hand-wringing from some conservatives who now say that tax renewals that helped stabilize this year’s budget were unnecessary.

Number of the Day

5.9 - Percentage increase in personal income in Louisiana in the second fiscal quarter of 2018. (Source: Bureau of Economic Analysis, U.S. Department of Commerce)

September 24, 2018

A radical shift on immigration policy

President Donald Trump is proposing to make life much harder for legal immigrants to the United States. A new federal rule - long anticipated but filed late Saturday night - would make it more difficult for people to stay in the country if they use “non-cash” forms of public assistance such as housing vouchers, food benefits or Medicare drug benefits.

Number of the Day

24,197 - Number of people on a waiting list for affordable housing vouchers in New Orleans in 2017-18. Overall, the New Orleans area saw a decrease in availability of affordable housing over the past year (Source: HousingNola, 2018 Report Card)

September 21, 2018

Looking beyond the unemployment rate

The national unemployment rate is at a near-historic low, but it’s important to remember that unemployment statistics only count adults who are unemployed but actively looking for work.

Number of the Day

59.4 - Louisiana’s seasonally-adjusted labor force participation rate in July 2018, meaning 6 in 10 working age adults were working or actively looking or work. (Source: Bureau of Labor Statistics)

September 20, 2018

Teacher pay raise is top 2019 priority

Gov. John Bel Edwards said Wednesday that a $1,000 annual pay raise for teachers and $500 for school support staff would be his top legislative priority in 2019, calling it critical to attracting motivated people to the profession.

Number of the Day

12.4 percent - Poverty rate for the 100 largest metro areas in the nation. This is the fourth year in a row that major metro poverty has fallen. New Orleans was the only metro area where poverty increased. (Source: Brookings Institution)