Louisiana

DALLAS - A proposed $748 million capital improvement proposal for East Baton Rouge Parish, La., will proceed despite the refusal by a majority of parish commissioners to consider the plan, Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden said Thursday.

DALLAS - A $748 million capital improvement plan for East Baton Rouge Parish was rebuffed on Wednesday when the Metropolitan Council refused to consider a request by Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden to set a November election date.

The infrastructure set to be financed with East Baton Rouge Parish’s proposed $748 bond package is vital to public safety and security, Mayor-President Melvin "Kip" Holden said Monday in a briefing at the Baton Rouge Press Club.

DALLAS — Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy Tuesday night will hear from opponents as well as backers of a proposed $1.2 billion, 424-bed state academic medical center in New Orleans.

DALLAS - The Louisiana State Bond Commission on Thursday approved the sale by the East Baton Rouge Sewerage Commission of $202.5 million of variable-rate revenue bonds.

A bill signed last week by Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal will complete the final $160 million of financing for two segments of Interstate 49 North that will connect Shreveport to the Arkansas line.

DALLAS - The board overseeing the construction of a proposed $1.2 billion state hospital in New Orleans decided Wednesday to take another look at the proposed financing.

DALLAS - Voters in East Baton Rouge Parish, La., may have the opportunity in November to decide on a $748.5 million capital improvement plan that would include $716 million of bonds to finance projects in the city of Baton Rouge and throughout the parish.

The Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission voted unanimously last week to seek voluntary legal help in contesting the constitutionality of the legislative transfer of $26.4 million into the state’s general fund from a fund the commission oversees.

Voters in Lafayette Parish will decide Oct. 22 on a proposed 20-year, $561 million general obligation bond issue to fund new schools and upgrade facilities.

DALLAS — The board set up to finance and operate a new state teaching hospital in New Orleans has withdrawn its request for federal enhancement of revenue bonds needed to build the $1.2 billion University Medical Center.

Shreveport, La., has scheduled the single largest bond issue in the city's history. Next week's sale of $81.5 million of general obligation debt will be the first tranche from a $175 million bond authorization.

Louisiana will set up a 10-member task force and a five-member advisory council to study a proposal to remove the tolls from two bridges over the Mississippi River in downtown New Orleans.

DALLAS - Louisiana lawmakers gave final approval late Tuesday to a $25 billion budget for fiscal 2012 that relies on more than $200 million of fund transfers and reallocations to balance next year's spending plan.

A $561 million general obligation bond program to fund long-term maintenance efforts presented last week to the Lafayette Parish School Board would require a 20-year, 2-mill increase in the property tax. The trustees have until Wednesday to set a tax election for Oct. 22. They could delay the election until Nov. 19.

New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu said Monday the state should stick with the current plan to build a $1.2 billion, 424-bed hospital in the city. Construction financing for the University Medical Center includes $407 million of hospital revenue bonds.

DALLAS - The Louisiana State Bond Commission will meet July 21 with four firms seeking to become the state's next financial adviser.

A bill to phase out Lousiana's personal income tax over 10 years at a cost of more than $5 billion a year of lost revenue was approved Monday by the House Committee on Ways and Means.

DALLAS - Louisiana Gov. Bobby Jindal Monday asked for consideration of an alternative, no-debt financial plan for a proposed $1.2 billion state hospital in New Orleans.

DALLAS - A proposal to scrap plans for a $1.2 billion state hospital in New Orleans in favor of a smaller, less-expensive project was outlined Thursday at a joint news conference by U.S. Sen. David Vitter, Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy, and House Speaker Jim Tucker.