Government & Politics
CBS is applying to recoup one-third of the money it says it spent for The Talk, under the state’s Motion Picture Investor Tax Credit. CBS appears to be eligible for a $700,000 tax credit, whether deducted from other taxes owed the state, sold into the tax-credit market or back to the state at 85 cents on the dollar.
Greenstein is a “no show” — The Advocate | State legislators were irritated when Louisiana Department of Health and Hospitals Secretary Bruce Greenstein did not appear at a legislative hearing. They had questions for him. His absence occurs after the state canceled a Medicaid claims-processing contract with Greenstein’s former employer, after learning it had come under federal scrutiny.
“I’m extremely disappointed he did not show up,” state Rep. John Schroder, R-Covington, said. “If there’s a question he didn’t want to answer, they do a great job of not answering questions anyway.”
Treasurer suggests tax overhaul be voted on in statewide election — The Advocate | State Treasurer John Kennedy argues that since the tax swap will “touch every single business and every single taxpayer and every single consumer,” the matter should be decided in a state referendum. The Jindal administration disagrees, and claims the tax swap plan doesn’t require a statewide vote since it doesn’t include any proposed constitutional amendments.
Land Use
Landrieu administration looking at options to reinvent Louis Armstrong International Airport — NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune | Four different plans to expand and improve the Louis Armstrong International Airport are being considered. (One thing is for sure: you can’t improve on the airport’s name.) The reason, according to the article: “Landrieu thinks that even with the $300 million upgrade done in advance of the Super Bowl, the airport fails to position the city for major economic growth.”
Pittsburgh looks to tax the Pittsburgh Medical Center — Rebuilding Place in the Urban Space | Blogger Richard Layman spotlights an issue that may be worth following, as the New Orleans’ city budget is stretched with various infrastructure costs.
Many cities have eyed the idea of local universities paying property taxes. Center cities have so much tax-exempt property on their rolls that it becomes extremely difficult to raise revenue. Property taxes on residents become onerous, which makes it that much harder to recruit and retain residents.
Criminal Justice
Chief Serpas cites major progress on NOPD reforms, others dubious — NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune |
Just how far has the city come, in three years under [NOPD Superintendent Ronal] Serpas, in fixing what is widely considered one of the most dysfunctional law enforcement agencies in the nation? According to the city, far enough to trust that it will follow through. … [In] a status report through the end of 2012, Serpas claims the department has completed 60 of the 147 “action items” dictated in the consent decree, and that 80 more are in progress.
I think the key word in that passage is “trust.”
jewel bush: Alone and afraid, awaiting his fate — Uptown Messenger | Writer jewel bush profiles a local undocumented immigrant construction worker who was picked up in an immigration raid in Kenner.
Environment
Natural river diversion at ‘Mardi Gras Pass’ gains support from political, commercial interests — The Lens | “Coastal groups opposing an oil company’s permit application to close the crevasse on the east bank of the Mississippi River, about five miles south of Pointe à la Hache, say discussion among all interested parties may clear the way to a compromise.”
Caernarvon Diversion moving fish and killing marsh, anglers say — NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune | Outdoors reporter Todd Masson writes about anglers’ complaints that a diversion of fresh water from the Mississippi, has harmed struggling marshes and fish populations. The diversion sluices water into former salt marshes but minimizes the amount of sediment diverted. State coastal czar Garrett Graves: “There are some lessons to take away from … Caernarvon — one of which is that if you are going to the trouble of building a diversion, it is much more efficient to divert sediment and fresh water.” This morning Masson had a follow up article.
Hurricane emergency managers struggle to get public to listen to warnings — NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune | How do officials convey accurate information about complex storm structures in a way that motivates citizens to evacuate?
Schools
Jefferson Parish teachers vote in support of new collective bargaining contract — NOLA.com/The Times-Picayune | “Despite union claims that the district has backed the contract draft presented, the district issued a statement earlier Tuesday saying otherwise, stating that it had not agreed to the document, ‘tentatively or otherwise’ and that the union had acted “unilaterally in its presentation of a draft to its members.”
Lycée appears to skirt open meetings laws while picking board candidates | The Lens – “Amid its efforts to create a more transparent and accountable governing board, Lycée Français de la Nouvelle-Orléans charter school officials on Monday night engaged in activities that lawyers say appear to subvert Louisiana’s open meetings laws.”