Browsing entries posted on Wednesday, November 04, 2009

• Jindal backs money on LSU complex

  Posted by Jordan Blum | Capitol News Bureau | on November 4, 2009 at 6:55 p.m.

  

  Artist rendering of the LSU Business Education Complex/Provided by LSU

  The bid process to build the LSU Business Education Complex could begin next week with a possible groundbreaking ceremony in March. The $60 million complex could occur in summer 2012.

  Gov. Bobby Jindal on Wednesday reaffirmed commitment of $30 million in state funds for construction of LSU’s planned Business Education Complex. Jindal said his intent is to direct $24 million in state construction dollars initially, which the Legislature must sign off on, and then give the final $6 million to LSU in 2011 to complete the project. Read more…

  Posted in: Politics, Gov. Jindal, LSU, Southern and BRCC

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• Tax amnesty brings in more than expected

  Posted by Michelle Millhollon | Capitol News Bureau | on November 4, 2009 at 11:03 a.m. UPDATED 6:35 p.m.

  

  Patrick Dennis/The Advocate

  Gov. Bobby Jindal discusses on Wednesday at the State Capitol the collections for the 2009 Louisiana Tax Amnesty Program and he comments on the state’s reaffirmation to give $30 million toward LSU’s planned Business Education Complex while LSU E.J. Ourso College of Business Dean Eli Jones, left, and Phelps Dunbar law firm partner Richard Matheny, right, look on.

  A tax amnesty program generated twice as much money as state officials expected. Gov. Bobby Jindal announced Wednesday morning that delinquent taxpayers paid $303.7 million. The program was expected to result in $150 million in collections. The $150 million is to go to repay funds that helped government balance its annual budget that began July 1. Jindal said he wants to use part of the unexpected money for health care, which is facing a massive budget shortfall. Read more…

  Posted in: Politics, Budget

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• State government pay plan vote delayed

  Posted by Marsha Shuler | Capitol News Bureau | on November 4, 2009 at 10:55 a.m. UPDATED 7:05 p.m.

  

  Arthur D. Lauck/The Advocate

  State Civil Service Commission members James Smith, left, and Lee Griffin confer Wednesday at the conclusion of a public hearing concerning new classified state employee rules covering pay raises. The commission postponed action on the proposal until December.

  The Civil Service Commission delayed action Wednesday morning on a proposal that would end 4 percent annual pay raises for nearly 61,000 classified state government employees. Commission Chairman James Smith and other commissioners said they wanted to give state employees more of an opportunity to comment on the changes “drastically” effect their pay. The seven-member panel, which sets policy for state government workers, decided to set a Dec. 8th public hearing at night, when most employees are not working. Smith said commissioners would likely vote on the proposal on Dec. 9. Read more…

  Posted in: Politics, Budget, State Employees

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