Education

New Occupational Data Show Need for Work Supports, Education Investments

Education /

An important goal of state policy should be to ensure that hard work pays off. New data from the Louisiana Workforce Commission show that many occupations adding jobs provide relatively low incomes to workers. Louisiana leaders should enact policies to support workers who will fill these jobs and are struggling to make ends meet. Doubling the state’s Earned income tax credit (EITC) and increasing the state’s minimum wage would be a good down payment for building an inclusive economy that supports these emerging jobs in Louisiana.

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The 2015 Legislature: A Tough Balancing Act

Budget & Taxes, Early Childhood Education, Education, Higher Education, Working Family Tax Credits /

The Louisiana Legislature starts its 2015 session this week amid a historic budget crisis that was years in the making. Louisiana’s constitution requires a balanced budget, yet the projected gap next year between tax revenues and expenses stands at $1.6 billion. Unless this deficit is plugged in a thoughtful manner that includes new revenues, the result could be deep cuts to critical state investments in education, health care, infrastructure and public safety.

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LBP reviews the 2014 Legislature

Budget & Taxes, Education, Healthcare /

The Louisiana Legislature wrapped up its 2014 regular session without tackling many of the state’s critical challenges, according to a new report by the Louisiana Budget Project. While legislators largely avoided the destructive cuts that have become the norm in recent years, they failed to address the state’s structural budget problems or take advantage of opportunities to help low-income families.

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Without funding, Act 3 may limit early childhood education accessibility

Education /

The state Legislature raised the standards for high-quality early childhood education programs when it passed Act 3 in 2012. But lawmakers did not authorize new funding to help centers meet the standards. Some parents are at risk of facing higher tuition costs next year, which they might not be able to afford without additional financial support for low-income and at-risk children.

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