Sarah Harbison highlighted Louisiana’s recent regulatory wins at the Pelican Institute’s Solutions Summit. She pointed to last year’s passage of the REINS Act, which forces agencies to justify costly regulations, and the end of “Skidmore deference,” which removed the courts’ habit of favoring state agencies during challenges. Her first panel, Ridiculous Regs and How to Stop Them, explores how rules drive up costs for everyday tasks like permitting, construction, and occupational licensing. She noted Virginia’s use of AI to eliminate thousands of outdated regulations and said Louisiana can follow that model. She also called the hair-braiding license the clearest example of unnecessary regulation. Her second panel, Rewrite the Contract: Government Union Reforms, focuses on giving workers a yearly choice to join or not join a public-sector union and ensuring taxpayers aren’t left out of negotiations. She previewed an “opt-in” bill and argued that true choice protects workers and the public. Harbison closed by previewing her 2026 priorities: more transparency for licensing boards and stronger taxpayer protections.

Erin Bendily from the Pelican Institute led a sharp conversation at the Solutions Summit about school choice and the direction of K-12 education in Louisiana. She opened with the Gator Scholarship Program, which now sits in its application season for the 2026–2027 school year. Families across the state want answers about funding, availability, and long-term stability. Thousands of applicants already stepped forward, and lawmakers now face a clear choice: honor the commitment they made to parents or slow down the program’s growth. Bendily argued that lawmakers created this program with the promise of real opportunity, and families want that promise to hold. She noted that most applicants came from groups the state already funds through the public school system. Those families want the power to decide where their children learn, and the scholarship gives them that power.

Here’s a tight, readable summary with active voice and no passive voice:The Pelican Institute’s 2026 Solutions Summit opened with a heavy focus on technology and economic growth. Vance Ginn led the “Silicon Bayou” session and pushed Louisiana to embrace innovation instead of fearing it. He said AI already drives daily tools, boosts health care, and supports personalized learning, and he urged lawmakers to avoid regulations that slow progress. Ginn highlighted the rise of data centers from Amazon, Meta, and others, noting new cooling systems and on-site power that cut down community concerns. He warned that other states reject projects and lose opportunities, and he encouraged Louisiana to act, learn, and keep building. Ginn closed the session with a call for continued tax reform and stronger economic momentum across the state.

Daniel Erspamer from the Pelican Institute previewed the biggest political storylines ahead of Louisiana’s 2026 legislative session. He pointed to the Public Service Commission races as a major focus, especially with Baton Rouge residents furious over soaring Delta Utilities gas bills. The Pelican Institute hosts a candidate forum today for Districts 1 and 5. Erspamer revealed early polling numbers for the Republican U.S. Senate primary. Bill Cassidy leads with 30 percent, while Julia Letlow and John Fleming trail close together at 16 and 15 percent. He expects the race to tighten as campaigns begin spending heavily. He also flagged a brewing fight over Louisiana’s GATOR education program. He argued that the plan gives families more choice by allowing state dollars to follow students to the schools that fit them best. He warned that other states continue to expand similar programs while Louisiana risks falling behind. The Pelican Institute’s Solutions Summit kicks off today, bringing together policy experts and state leaders. Walter Isaacson will headline the event with a talk about his new book. Erspamer described the summit as the final “preseason game” before the session begins next week.

Sal Nuzzo, Senior Fellow at the James Madison Institute and Executive Director of Consumer Defense, spoke at the Pelican Institute’s 2026 Solutions Summit about the growing fight over ESG and energy policy. He said ESG rules often bypass voters and lawmakers, pushing hidden regulations through state agencies. Nuzzo argued that supporters misuse the idea of diversity and that real diversity includes diversity of thought, not hiring quotas. He also challenged net-zero energy goals, saying wind and solar can’t replace fossil fuels without massive subsidies. As an example, he noted that each wind turbine needs 400 gallons of crude oil each year for lubrication. Nuzzo wrapped with a lighter story about using a Taylor Swift lyric during Senate testimony on the Ticketmaster hearing, which later went viral.

BREC rolled out a major round of updates. The Perkins Master Plan is approved, with the first phase starting at Olympia Stadium. Leaders said last year’s reduction in force was meant to streamline operations and raise pay for the employees who stayed. A community meeting on the Airline Highway project is set for March 19 in St. George. Summer camp registration opens March 7 with art, sports, outdoor, theater, and adaptive options. Liberty Lagoon is getting a full upgrade: all slides are being refurbished, online ticketing is coming, new capacity limits will ease crowding, and pricing will be based on what visitors use. The park will also add new signage, pressure washing, improved security screening, and Cityport Catering for food service. BREC is launching a 24/7 security operations center to monitor more than 1,200 cameras and a second room to track project management in real time.

New Orleans tourism is surging again. Walt Leger says Mardi Gras brought 2.2 million visits and a 20% jump in out-of-town travelers, matching pre-COVID levels. The Recycle Dat program expanded, major conventions arrived immediately after the holiday, and big events like Sail 250 and the New Orleans Book Festival are on the way.

Moon Griffon says the upcoming legislative session still feels light on major moves, even as workforce issues dominate early conversations. He expects lawmakers to revisit carbon capture and insurance reforms, noting that AI and better driver behavior may influence recent rate drops more than policy changes. Griffon also points to growing tension in the May closed primaries, where ads targeting Congresswoman Julia Letlow continue without a strong response. He believes the dynamic may benefit Ralph Abraham and Fleming as voters shift away from Bill Cassidy. Griffon also predicts at least one “may surprise,” because political races rarely stay quiet for long.

Will Green from the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry says the LA Driven plan is showing clear progress. Louisiana has already reached two major goals: moving into the top half of states for job creation and increasing high-wage jobs. Big projects from Amazon, Hyundai Steel, Meta, and others helped push those numbers up. Education indicators are improving too. Third-grade reading is up to 62%, close to the 66% target. High school graduation rates rose from 83.2% to 85% in only two years. Crime numbers are also moving down. Violent and property crime dropped 12% to 13%, helped by new accountability laws and better re-entry tools for people leaving prison. But challenges remain. Louisiana continues to lose working-age adults, and labor force participation is low. That’s why LABI is pushing legislation that expands paid internships, training, and career pathways to help keep talent in the state. Green says all the goals connect, and the upcoming legislative session will focus on keeping that momentum going.

State Representative Jack McFarland says the 2026 legislative session will start with a simple goal: hold spending steady and review every agency line by line. He joined Brian Haldane to explain why the budget will drive the session from day one.