There was $150 million in the "mega-fund" when Bobby Jindal took office. Now it's down to $6.7 million, and prospects are dim for replenishing it. “I think the dollars have been used for meaningful projects that have been important for our economy,” he said.
Tapping the state's piggy bank has helped Jindal and legislators avoid tax hikes. But after pulling $255 million out of the rainy day fund, the state now has to find a way to replenish it in two years. But tax revenues are not forecast to rise enough to provide the money, foreshadowing tough choices ahead.
Shrinking government is a conservative ideal, but public institutions and infrastructure bear the burden.
The Landrieus' property is across the street from South Market District, a major development expected to boost the surrounding area. Like South Market, the Landrieus' lot is close enough to the Union Passenger Terminal to get a tax break if it's developed. No evidence has emerged to indicate the mayor used his influence to benefit the property, however.
The state has traditionally had higher unemployment than the national rate. The post-Katrina boom pushed it lower.
Southern University's board members get two scholarships each to award.
The 16 members awarded 190 scholarships for the last school year. Though the scholarships are posted online, there aren't any uniform policies for advertising them. It's up to each board member, most of whom are politically connected, to decide. A new law mandates that the recipients are listed online, along with the board members who selected them.
Jindal often notes that under his watch, the state’s unemployment rate has been lower than the national rate. But unemployment has risen sharply since he took office, and since December the rate has risen while nationally it has fallen. However, economists say that Katrina rebuilding had pushed the state unemployment rate to artificially low levels.
State was ahead of curve in requiring ID to vote, but provision for affidavit softened concerns, officials say.
Outflanking the governor from the right, the Hawks took aim at budgetary gimmicks.
