Louisiana
Governor’s Tax Package Seeks To Make Louisiana More Competitive
Louisiana State Capital in Baton Rouge
The first half of the 2020s has been marked by two dominant policy and political trends in state capitals: the expansion of school choice, coupled with the lowering and flattening of personal income tax rates. While these trends are poised to persist in the coming year, most lawmakers and governors will have to wait until 2025 to advance the next round of reforms. In Louisiana, however, lawmakers aren’t going to wait until the new year to overhaul their tax code in a way that will reduce income tax rates for individuals and employers.
On the first day of October, Governor Jeff Landry (R-La.) announced that he’s convening a special session of the Louisiana Legislature next month for the purpose of reforming the state tax code in a way that will lower income tax rates and broaden the sales tax base. Governor Landry is asking state legislators to approve ten bills comprising his tax reform package when they return to Baton Rouge for the November special session.
The current tax system in Louisiana assesses a 1.85% tax on the first $12,500 in earnings, while income between $12,500 and $50,000 is taxed at a 3.5% rate. Income above $50,000 is then taxed at a 4.25% rate. If Gov. Landry’s proposal is enacted, Louisiana would tax all income beyond $12,500 at a 3% rate. With the standard deduction raised to $12,500 under Landry’s proposal, income below that level would be free from taxation moving forward.
“This plan will provide an immediate increase in take-home pay for every Louisiana taxpayer,” Gov. Landry said of his proposal during the Oct. 1 press conference. Landry described his tax package as “moving from taxing your labor to your choices.”
Beyond the initial restructuring of state income tax brackets and rates, Governor Landry says his plan could put Louisiana on the path to completely phase out its personal income tax by 2030. “I hate income tax,” Landry said at the October 1 press conference, adding that “a man and woman’s labor should never be owned by the government.”
The goal of income tax elimination is appealing to many Louisianans who see the neighboring state of Texas, along with nearby Florida and Tennessee, thriving without any state income tax. In fact, those states have been experiencing some of the nation’s largest population gains in recent years.
Landry is not the only governor in the region working toward a phaseout of his state’s income tax. Arkansas Governor Sarah Sanders (R) and Mississippi Governor Tate Reeves (R) have not only declared their intention to repeal their state income tax, they’ve signed numerous rate-reducing bills making progress toward that goal.
Landry’s tax package would also repeal the corporate franchise tax and move the corporate income tax from a progressive structure with a top rate of 7.5% to a flat rate of 3.5%. Fewer than 20 states levy a corporate franchise tax and many of them have been working to phase those down in recent years.
“Governor Landry’s sweeping tax reform proposal will dramatically improve the state’s economic climate by providing a tax cut for every taxpayer, simplifying business taxes, broadening the tax base, and ending the punishing franchise tax,” says Daniel Erspamer, chief executive officer of the Pelican Institute for Public Policy, a Lousiana-based think tank. “When paired with meaningful restraint of recurring government spending, this plan will act as rocket fuel to the state’s economy and signal to the tens of thousands of our kids and grandkids who’ve left to find opportunity elsewhere – not to mention entrepreneurs and job creators – that Louisiana wants them back.”
Critics of Landry’s tax proposal have attacked it as one that benefits “the rich.” Landry administration officials have responded by pointing out how, under their proposal, upper income taxpayers would actually end up paying a greater share of income tax collections than is now the case.
In remarks to the Louisiana House Ways & Means Committee earlier this month, state Department of Revenue Secretary Richard Nelson testified that under Gov. Landry’s tax package, the richest 10% of Louisiana taxpayers would pay 61% of total income tax collections. Under the current tax system, the top 10% of filers pay approximately 55% of all income taxes.
In addition to legislative approval, Governor Landry’s plan also entails voter approval of a constitutional amendment to repeal local inventory taxes, consolidate funds, and make other changes. The start date for the November session has yet to be announced, but is expected to take place some time after Election Day. Should Landry’s tax package be adopted, Louisiana would head into 2025 with a tax code that is more regionally, nationally, and globally competitive than is currently the case.
Louisiana
Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows Welcomes Inaugural Class – Leaders for a Better Louisiana
Nearly 40 years after launching Louisiana’s premier statewide leadership development program, Leaders for a Better Louisiana is proud to announce the inaugural class of Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows, marking an important new chapter in the organization’s longstanding commitment to developing informed, connected leaders equipped to address the state’s most pressing challenges.
Building on the proven model and legacy of Leadership Louisiana, the Health Fellows program brings together leaders from across healthcare, business, public policy, higher education, philanthropy, and community organizations to gain a deeper understanding of the systems, opportunities, and challenges shaping health outcomes across Louisiana. Throughout the year, fellows will participate in immersive sessions across the state, engaging directly with healthcare providers, researchers, policymakers, workforce leaders, and innovators while exploring the issues that influence the health and well-being of Louisiana’s people and communities.
“The strength of Leadership Louisiana has always been its ability to bring together accomplished leaders from different sectors and regions to learn from one another while developing a broader understanding of our state,” said Sheree Blanchard, Director of Leadership Louisiana. “The Health Fellows program extends that tradition by focusing on one of Louisiana’s most significant opportunities for improvement. We are excited to welcome this outstanding inaugural class.”
The inaugural class represents a broad cross-section of Louisiana’s healthcare and civic leadership, with participants serving in hospitals, health systems, higher education, business, nonprofit organizations, public agencies, and community-based organizations throughout the state. Together, they bring diverse expertise and perspectives that will strengthen dialogue and collaboration around Louisiana’s health challenges and opportunities.
“From the beginning, our vision was to create a program that mirrors the excellence and impact of Leadership Louisiana while taking a comprehensive look at the many factors that influence health outcomes,” said Blanchard. “This first class reflects the caliber of leadership we hoped to attract, and we look forward to watching these fellows build lasting relationships and develop new ideas that will benefit communities across Louisiana.”
Leadership Louisiana has graduated more than 1,600 leaders over nearly four decades, creating one of the state’s strongest cross-sector leadership networks. Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows builds on that foundation by providing participants with a focused exploration of Louisiana’s healthcare landscape while reinforcing the program’s longstanding commitment to collaboration, informed leadership, and service to the state.
The 2027 Health Fellows class will begin its yearlong experience this summer with sessions held in multiple regions of Louisiana.
View the complete roster of the Leadership Louisiana Health Fellows inaugural class.
NEW ORLEANS, La (WVUE) – A new education center in the town of Jean Lafitte is giving visitors a chance to learn about south Louisiana’s coast.
Dave McNamara explores how the center combines history, culture, science, and a walk through a cypress swamp in the heart of Louisiana.
For more, visit the Heart of Louisiana archive here.
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Luxury resort in Sarasota County ranked among South’s best new hotels
Luxury resort in Sarasota County ranked among South’s best new hotels
When you think of resorts, you probably think of hotels with expansive grounds, upscale amenities and all-inclusive packages.
While these types of resorts can surely be found in major-destination cities and foreign countries, Louisiana has its own resorts that are just as nice.
At Louisiana’s resorts, you can enjoy all the same amenities and stay at locations that are just as luxurious.
Plan your stays with Booking.com
Why these 6 resorts are the best in Louisiana for 2026
Travel US News has ranked the six best resorts in Louisiana based on hotel class rating, property type and guest reviews.
1. L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles
L’Auberge Casino Resort in Lake Charles is the best resort to stay in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. More than just a nice place to stay, this resort offers premiere casino games, plenty of shopping, golfing opportunities, a spa, relaxing cabanas and upscale restaurants. The hotel also has business and fitness centers, and the rooms are in the modern arts and crafts style.
2. Caesars in New Orleans
Caesars in New Orleans is the second-best resort in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.9 out of 10. This resort has a great location within the Central Business District, making it near all the top attractions in the Crescent City. Here, there are plenty of dining and gambling opportunities. The rooms are equipped with standard amenities and are in a Louisiana-inspired style.
3. Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City
Margaritaville Resort Casino in Bossier City is the third-best resort in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 8.7 out of 10. Strategically located across the Red River from Shreveport, this resort offers plenty to do, like testing your luck at the casino, spending a day by the pool, relaxing at the spa, eating delicious food at one of the restaurants or enjoying live entertainment at the performance hall.
4. Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport
Bally’s Casino & Hotel in Shreveport is among the best resorts in Louisiana and has a guest rating of 7.6 out of 10. Bally’s offers plenty of casino games and dining opportunities, and you can keep the night going with drinks and dancing at one of the lounges. The hotel offers business and fitness centers and the rooms come with standard amenities, like flat-screen TVs and minifridges.
5. Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle
Nottoway Plantation Resort in White Castle is one of the best resorts in Louisiana, as it is among the 4.0 star hotel class. This historic antebellum plantation, originally constructed in 1859, includes nine Acadian-style cottages, a salon, an outdoor pool, a fitness center and tennis courts. Visitors can tour the plantation house itself and embark on a guided tour of the on-site museum.
6. Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many
Cypress Bend Resort, a Wyndham Hotel in Many is among the best resorts in Louisiana, with a guest rating of 7.7 out of 10. This hotel features two restaurants, a golf course, fitness center indoor and outdoor pools, as well as a bar and lounge. Belonging to the 3.0 star hotel class, this casual resort is the perfect spot for a quick getaway, as it’s set on 600 acres on Toledo Bend Lake.
Presley Bo Tyler is the Louisiana Deep South Connect Team for USA Today Network. Find her on X @PresleyTyler02 and email at PTyler@Gannett.com
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