The AI gold rush is on, and with it a rush of data center construction across the country. Invest in Louisiana Climate Policy Fellow Ned Randolph joins Didja Know? to discuss the data-center landscape in Louisiana. open.spotify.com/episode/7LEQ... #lalege #lagov

Louisiana's overall tax burden ranks 22nd nationally. BUT the state's property and individual income tax burdens are well below the 50-state median (45 & 37 respectively). Louisiana's total sales and excise tax burden is the fifth highest in the nation. wallethub.com/edu/states-w... #lalege #lagov

March 26 is Equal Pay Day, marking how long American women must work into the year to earn the same salary as their male counterparts. The gender pay gap widened slightly in 2025, with women earning 18.6% less, on average, than men. www.epi.org/blog/the-gen... #equalpay #equalpayday @epi.org

The federal tax and budget megabill will increase the federal deficit, weaken long-term economic growth and leave low-income families worse off. That’s according to a preliminary assessment of the new law by @brookings.edu. www.brookings.edu/articles/one...

Invest in Louisiana’s legislative session podcast is back! Our latest episode breaks down Gov. Jeff Landry’s budget proposal, looming state budget shortfalls, and how the Legislature will shape the state’s spending plan. open.spotify.com/episode/4Yi7... #lalege #lagov

Louisiana could run for 34.4 days using only rainy-day funds, well below the 50-state median of 47.8 days. www.pew.org/en/research-... #lalege #lagov

Louisiana would be able to hold children in custody for longer periods without a conviction under House Bill 140. But there are fears the legislation would increase juvenile detention and hinder rehabilitation. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... #lalege #lagov

Two bills (House Bill 620 and House Bill 658) would move Louisiana toward a centralized sales-tax collection system, similar to what other states have been doing for decades. https://taxfoundation.org/blog/centralized-louisiana-sales-tax-collection/ #lalege #lagov

The federal megabill will leave behind millions of working families this #taxseason. Invest in Louisiana state budget and tax policy analyst Paul Braun explains.

More funding could be on the way for the popular - and effective - M.J. Foster Promise Program, which helps people from low- and moderate-income households train for jobs in high-demand occupations at Louisiana community colleges. www.wbrz.com/news/educati... #lalege #lagov

The Minimum Foundation Program formula, which determines how much school systems receive in state funding, has not kept up with inflation. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... #lalege #lagov

Our new issue brief explains how Louisiana uses the appropriations process to fund state services and underscores the critical connection between fiscal policy and everyday life. investlouisiana.org/budget-basics/ #lalege #lagov

Much of the money for New Mexico’s childcare program comes from state trust funds made up primarily of oil/gas revenue. Louisiana, a major oil/gas producer, recently cut funding for early childhood education and could eliminate an additional 1,600 early ed seats. www.kob.com/new-mexico/g... #lalege

The federal tax and budget megabill pushes more administrative and benefit costs for the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program to states (SNAP). These changes will impact Louisiana, which is heavily dependent on federal food assistance. lailluminator.com/2026/03/10/l... #lalege #lagov

Speaking at his annual State of the State address on Monday, the governor also continued his campaign to increase funding for the state’s private school voucher program, which has received pushback over its effectiveness and price tag. investlouisiana.org/landrys-legi... #lalege #lagov

Recent state tax cuts combined with new costs resulting from the federal tax and budget megabill are driving the looming budget deficits. https://jlcb.legis.la.gov/Docs/2026/jan2026/JLCB%20Meeting%20File%20012326.pdf #lalege #lagov

The Daily Dime, Invest in Louisiana’s FREE daily newsletter, is a key resource for those interested in state budget and policy news. Use the link below to get the Daily Dime in your inbox each morning. https://investlouisiana.org/daily-dime/ #lalege #lagov

Gov. Landry and state lawmakers have moved quickly in recent years to overhaul Louisiana’s tax code and propose constitutional changes that voters later rejected. @theadvocatebr.bsky.social's editorial board urges state leaders to slow down this #lalege session. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/...

State Rep. Kyle Green has filed a bill that aims to provide free breakfast at all public schools in Louisiana. https://www.wbrz.com/news/louisiana-lawmaker-renews-push-for-free-breakfast-in-schools #lalege #lagov

More than $1 billion in funding that supports Louisiana’s doctors and hospitals is under threat from a potential federal regulation. https://investlouisiana.org/new-medicaid-guidance-threatens-state-progress-and-budget/ #lalege #lagov

State Sen. Regina Barrow has filed legislation that would allow voters to create a livable wage in Louisiana. https://www.louisianafirstnews.com/news/bill-prefiled-to-create-livable-wage-in-louisiana/ #lalege #lagov

The federal tax and budget megabill and recent state tax cuts will help create state budget shortfalls in Louisiana in upcoming years. The state needs to protect - and raise new - revenue. cbpp.org/research/sta... #lalege #lagov

Louisiana requires less transparency and accountability for data center tax breaks compared to other Southern states. Elected officials should do more to ensure companies are held to the promises they make. investlouisiana.org/louisianas-d... #lalege #lagov

Some states are looking to rein in data center tax breaks, as their effectiveness is scrutinized and public backlash mounts over how centers deplete water supplies and increase utility rates for locals. https://lailluminator.com/2026/02/24/repub/data-center-tax/ #lalege #lagov

A new report published in the Journal of Applied Psychology explains how food insecurity decreases employee performance and productivity. www.apa.org/news/press/r...

Invest in Louisiana’s Jan Moller spoke to the Baton Rouge Press Club today. He broke down the fiscal fallout from the federal megabill and recent state tax cuts, and explained how those policies will help create budget shortfalls in Louisiana in upcoming years. #lalege #lagov

Louisiana utility customers could end up paying more than half of AI data center costs due to a recent policy passed by the state Public Service Commission. https://blog.ucs.org/paul-arbaje/louisianas-new-policy-allows-even-more-data-center-costs-to-be-passed-to-ratepayers/ #lalege #lagov

Federal tax credits helped keep Obamacare coverage affordable, but Congress allowed those subsidies to expire at the end of 2025. Some states are offering their own tax credits to protect residents from skyrocketing health care costs. lailluminator.com/2026/02/18/r... #lalege #lagov

Middle-income households in Louisiana with employer-sponsored health insurance pay 15.6% of their income for coverage, the highest rate in the nation. https://stateline.org/2026/02/11/many-middle-income-families-spend-at-least-a-tenth-of-their-income-on-health-insurance/

The TANF program provides states with federal dollars that are supposed to be used, in large part, to provide basic cash assistance for low-income families with children. But states sometimes funnel TANF dollars to other areas. www.wsj.com/politics/pol... #lalege #lagov

Recent analysis found that LA's transportation department needs an additional $1.2B per year to address a $19B infrastructure backlog. The easiest way to do that is by raising the state's gas tax, which hasn’t budged since 1990. www.shreveporttimes.com/story/news/2... #lalege #lagov

At least a dozen states are proposing separate, higher electricity rates for data centers. This effort stems from concerns over how these centers, which can use as much power as a small city, are increasing utility bills for nearby residents. stateline.org/2026/02/05/w... #lalege #lagov

Invest in Louisiana's Jan Moller gives his thoughts on Gov. Landry's budget proposal and explains what the Legislature can do to ensure the state is making adequate investments in its citizens in the face of looming budget shortfalls. investlouisiana.org/a-standstill... #lalege #lagov

An October analysis from @pewtrusts.org found that Louisiana could run for 31.3 days using only rainy-day funds, well below the 50-state median of 46.9 days. www.pew.org/en/research-... #lalege #lagov

The number of days that states could cover operations using only rainy-day funds fell in fiscal year 2025, which marked the first decline since the Great Recession. https://www.pew.org/en/trust/archive/winter-2026/state-reserves-recede #lalege #lagov

Although the U.S. economy is not experiencing a downturn, several economic indicators weakened in 2025 relative to 2024. @gbenga-ajilore.bsky.social explains how the economy in 2025 affected Black households & Black-owned small businesses: www.cbpp.org/blog/the-eco...

The rush of data center construction across the country comes with environmental, financial and other risks for communities. Community benefit agreements can provide transparency and protection for people living near these massive centers. www.brookings.edu/articles/why...

Not every state joined this race to the bottom. Some increased revenue to make crucial investments: - Colorado created a universal school meals program - Maine launched a paid family and medical leave program - Maryland is able to plug a massive budget shortfall #lalege #lagov

Many states, including Louisiana, passed irresponsible tax cuts in recent years while their coffers were flush with federal dollars and better-than-expected tax revenue. But now those states are struggling to navigate fiscal headwinds. www.cbpp.org/research/sta... #lalege #lagov