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The Louisiana Budget Project has been cited in the news weighing in on various important debates such as the school voucher plan, the health insurance exchange, state pensions and health care reform.

Watch LBP’s Jan Moller on Louisiana Public Square’s “Redefining State Retirement” piece and see why everyone will ultimately be affected by the state pension systems’ UAL (Unfunded Accrued Liability), even if you are not a state worker.

The Louisiana Budget Project’s report on school vouchers caused quite a stir this month, receiving attention from more than 20 media outlets around the state. Not everyone was happy with our recommendations, including the publisher of the Baton Rouge Business Report.

Powerpoint presentations on budget basics and payday lending.

It didn’t get much attention, but last week Gov. Bobby Jindal made what appears to be a dramatic policy shift. Speaking to WWL-TV in New Orleans on the day that President Obama released a plan to cut corporate taxes, Jindal said:

Twenty-two years ago, back when bipartisanship was still possible on Capitol Hill, the U.S. Congress passed a bill that required all packaged food to be labeled with detailed nutritional information.

“This is an unbalanced budget that would kill jobs, raise payroll taxes on hard-working state employees and cut services essential to protecting the middle class and building a strong economy.

“We are disappointed that the budget continues the irresponsible pattern of meeting ongoing needs by raiding state funds set aside for specific purposes.

LBP appeared in a segment on Louisiana Public Broadcasting’s “Louisiana: The State We’re In” discussing Governor Jindal’s proposal for a statewide voucher program for education. Watch the full segment here.

Gov. Bobby Jindal will release his 2012-13 budget plan in less than a week, and that’s when we’ll find out how he proposes to close the $895 million shortfall. But so far it looks like more of the same is on the way: tax breaks for those who need them the least, with higher costs and fewer services for those who need them the most.