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

“Let’s be very clear about what the legislature did in late 2024: they cut taxes on large profitable corporations and wealthy households and they made up some, but not all, of the revenue by raising the most regressive tax that we have,” Moller said. #lalege #lagov

Invest in Louisiana Executive Director Jan Moller panned the state’s reliance on sales taxes as “regressive,” in that poor people tend to spend a higher percentage of their incomes on sales taxes than wealthy people do. www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... #lalege #lagov

Monday’s Daily Dime - Louisiana’s highest-in-the-nation sales tax - Xavier receives $3 million to launch medical school scholarship - College grads are losing their edge - EPA rule devalues American lives Read more: investlouisiana.org/louisianas-h... #lalege #lagov

Access to affordable, quality child care is a serious problem for families, especially in rural areas. A new model that turns empty buildings into child care centers could be a game changer in rural communities. www.governing.com/resilience/f... #lalege #lagov

Friday’s Daily Dime: - An anti-affordability agenda - Louisiana’s overdetention problem must be addressed - States affected by winter storm encounter smaller FEMA - Rural America’s answer to the child care crisis https://investlouisiana.org/an-anti-affordability-agenda/

One of the most powerful ways to prevent poor kids from remaining in poverty is for them to have higher-income friends that provide a view of a better economic future. That’s the conclusion of a landmark new study. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/01/28/opinion/american-dream-poverty.html

Thursday’s Daily Dime: - How to bring back the American dream - States can’t afford corporate tax breaks anymore - Louisiana maintains one of nation’s lowest incomes - New Orleans passes one-year ban on data centers https://investlouisiana.org/how-to-bring-back-the-american-dream/

Wednesday’s Daily Dime - Louisiana prison costs surge - Linking racism to health disparities - SNAP soda and candy ban delayed - There has to be a better way on immigration https://investlouisiana.org/louisiana-prison-costs-surge/ #lalege #lagov

The expiration of federal subsidies that kept Marketplace coverage affordable is leaving millions of Americans with excruciating financial decisions. Now health insurance is more expensive than mortgages for some middle-income earners. www.wsj.com/health/healt...

Several states across the country have created policies that provide paid parental leave to educators. Policymakers see the crucial benefit as an effective recruitment and retention tool. www.washingtonpost.com/education/20... #lalege #lagov #paidleave

Monday’s Daily Dime: - Beware of GATOR - Paid parental leave for teachers - Health insurance is more expensive than the mortgage - The wealth proceeds tax https://investlouisiana.org/beware-of-gator/

A new tax credit passed during the 2025 Louisiana legislative session will reward companies that invest in child care for their workers. https://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2026/01/21/new-workforce-child-care-tax-credit-aims-to-boost-louisianas-economy/88196116007/ #lalege #lagov

Friday’s Daily Dime: - How states can prepare for megabill’s fiscal fallout - Workforce Child Care Tax Credit - ACA enrollment drops in Mississippi - Politicizing hunger https://investlouisiana.org/how-states-can-prepare-for-megabills-fiscal-fallout/ #lalege #lagov

The federal megabill will force states, for the first time ever, to pay a share of SNAP benefits. The law also creates new administrative costs for states. www.pew.org/en/research-... #lalege #lagov

Lower-income people use a higher proportion of their income on purchases. This means Louisiana's highest-in-the-nation sales tax hits people at the bottom and middle of the income spectrum harder than those at the top. https://taxfoundation.org/data/all/state/sales-tax-rates/ #lalege #lagov

The federal megabilll (H.R.1) will leave behind millions of working families this tax filing season. Learn more: https://investlouisiana.org/federal-megabill-excludes-poorest-families-from-family-tax-credit-expansions/

The federal megabill, which Congress passed over the summer, limits financing tools that states use to fund their Medicaid programs. The law also creates new administrative costs for states. www.pew.org/en/research-... #lalege #lagov

Wednesday's Daily Dime: - Louisiana Voting Rights Act - ICE is using Medicaid data to find out where immigrants live - WIC works - Churches offer shelter through Community Lighthouse network https://investlouisiana.org/louisiana-voting-rights-act/

Tuesday’s Daily Dime - Community college leader says system needs more funding - Landry at midpoint - MAHA movement picks up steam in statehouses - Reduced federal disaster funding looms over state budgets https://investlouisiana.org/community-college-leader-says-system-needs-more-funding/

"MLK Day calls each generation to examine whether the country is moving closer to the ideals King championed or drifting further from them. The day carries ongoing relevance because he represented unfinished work, not a completed victory." www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/... #MLKDay

Thursday’s Daily Dime: - Louisiana child care funds not targeted by feds - Megabill excludes poorest families from family tax credit expansions - Are “sin taxes” fair? - America’s steady decline in quality of life https://investlouisiana.org/louisiana-child-care-funds-not-targeted-by-feds/

Thursday’s Daily Dime: - Louisiana child care funds not targeted by feds - Megabill excludes poorest families from family tax credit expansions - Are “sin taxes” fair? - America’s steady decline in quality of life investlouisiana.org/louisiana-ch...

The federal megabill will leave behind millions of working families this tax filing season. While the new law includes nominal increases to family tax credits, it excludes too many children because their families don’t make enough money to qualify. investlouisiana.org/federal-mega...

In the 2023 fiscal year, Louisiana was the only state where more than 50% of its revenue came from the federal government. www.pew.org/en/research-... #lalege #lagov

Halting federal funding to sanctuary cities AND their states would be devastating for Louisiana. The Trump administration considers New Orleans a sanctuary city, and Louisiana relies on federal funding more than almost any other state. apnews.com/article/trum... #lalege #lagov

Wednesday’s Daily Dime: - ACA enrollment drops - Child care costs cause parents to cut back - State police use force disproportionately against Black people - Halting federal dollars to sanctuary cities and their states https://investlouisiana.org/aca-enrollment-drops/

"For the first time, there will be more workers in states with a $15 or greater minimum wage than in states with the federal minimum of $7.25." Workers in Louisiana, who will still receive the federal minimum in 2026, are being left behind. www.epi.org/blog/over-8-... #lalege #lagov

This is bad news for more than 290,00 Louisianans who buy health insurance through the federal Marketplace. A family of four earning $130,000 would pay $1,144 more per month on health coverage. www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...

Wednesday's Daily Dime: - Health insurance costs set to soar - Immigration crackdown begins in New Orleans - SNAP resumes, but long-term threats remain - Rural health care hinges on high-speed broadband https://investlouisiana.org/health-insurance-costs-set-to-soar/

Monday’s Daily Dime: - Uncertain times for the state budget - Louisiana seniors brace for increased Medicare costs - An expert’s take on Louisiana’s child-care affordability crisis - Linking wages to housing affordability https://investlouisiana.org/uncertain-times-for-the-state-budget/