Economist Scott Burns joins the show to discuss the impact of tariffs and the ongoing trade war. He explained that tariffs are essentially taxes on American consumers, leading to higher prices for imported goods. While politicians often support tariffs as a means to protect domestic jobs, economists generally oppose them due to their negative effects on the economy. Burns highlighted that tariffs can lead to unintended consequences, such as job losses in other sectors. He also mentioned that if tariffs were used as a negotiation tactic to reduce global tariffs, they could be beneficial, but this outcome is uncertain.

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Patrick "Patty G" Gremillion joins the show to discuss the workforce in Baton Rouge. He addressed factors that drive people away from the area and proposed strategies to attract them back. The conversation focused on understanding the challenges and opportunities within the local job market, aiming to improve retention and attract new talent to Baton Rouge.

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State Senator Rick Edmonds recently announced legislation to create an Independent School District for the city of Saint George. Drew Murrell, a member of the transition team and soon-to-be Councilman, joins the show to discuss the initiative. The effort to establish the district has been ongoing for nearly 15 years, driven by community leaders like Patty Cooke and Norman Browning.Initially, the goal was to form a school district, but organizers were told they needed to create a city first. This led to the establishment of the city of Saint George. Despite the additional responsibilities of running a city, the commitment to forming a school district remains strong. Murrell emphasized that the processes for managing the city and the school district will be separate, with different leadership and taxing structures.The proposed school district will have boundaries coterminous with the city of Saint George. It will include public, private, and charter schools, aiming to provide high-quality education and eliminate failing schools. The goal is to offer parents the ability to choose the best school for their children within the district, fostering competition and improvement among schools.The next step involves passing the legislation, which will then be put to a statewide ballot in November for a constitutional amendment to officially create the school district. Murrell expressed confidence in the success of this effort, aiming for better education for all students in the area.

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The Criminal Justice Coordinating Council's Executive Director, Chris Csonka joins the show to discuss key issues in public safety and criminal justice. He highlighted current challenges and initiatives aimed at improving community safety. Additionally, Csonka provided details about the upcoming safety summit, which will bring together experts and stakeholders to address pressing safety concerns and develop strategies for a safer community. The summit aims to foster collaboration and innovative solutions to enhance public safety.

For more information, visit: https://www.ebrcjcc.org/

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Anthony Keeney, the newly appointed council member, made his first appearance on the show to discuss his adaptation to the new role. He emphasized the importance of creating a unified master plan to guide future development and highlighted various opportunities for the next decade. Keeney shared his vision for fostering community growth and collaboration, aiming to address key challenges and leverage potential advancements for the betterment of the area.

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Dawn Collins from ICare joins the show to discuss the significant role of Capital Area Human Services in the community. She highlighted the various services they provide to support local residents. Additionally, Collins introduced Project Sticker Shock, an initiative aimed at raising awareness about underage drinking and preventing alcohol sales to minors. The project involves placing warning stickers on alcohol products to remind sellers and buyers of the legal consequences.

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State Senator Franklin Foil discussed two bills he pre-filed for the upcoming legislative session starting April 14th. The first bill aims to exclude certain amounts deposited into ABLE accounts for qualified expenses of persons with disabilities from state income tax. Foil explained that ABLE accounts, established several years ago, allow parents to save money for their child's future needs, such as education, healthcare, and job training, without affecting the child's eligibility for federal benefits. He emphasized the importance of fairness, giving parents the same opportunity to save for their child's future as they would for college savings accounts.

The bill proposes a state tax deduction similar to the one for college savings accounts, providing financial relief to families. The second bill seeks to increase the individual income tax exemption for deposits in the START K12 program accounts. Foil noted that this program was set up alongside Trump's tax cuts, allowing parents to receive federal tax breaks for K-12 education savings. Initially, the state did not offer any income tax breaks due to budget constraints, but Foil later introduced a $1200 exemption. The new bill aims to raise this exemption to $2400 per person, aligning it with college savings accounts and ABLE accounts.

This change would benefit families saving for private school tuition, with the option to roll unused funds into a college savings account. Foil also addressed the broader context of state income tax reductions, highlighting the recent decrease from 4.5% to 3%. He acknowledged the desire to eliminate state income tax entirely but stressed the need for responsible budgeting. The proposed bills offer incremental tax breaks to support families saving for their children's education and future needs. Additionally, Foil mentioned ongoing efforts to address insurance issues in the state, particularly property and auto insurance. He noted that interim meetings with industry experts have provided valuable insights, and he anticipates legislative action to improve the current situation.

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Haggai Davis joined the show for a Cup of Tech Gumbo to discuss several key topics in cybersecurity. He explained the concept of "Mishing," a form of phishing via SMS messages, and emphasized the importance of cyber risk security measures. Davis also addressed a recent Microsoft update that inadvertently removed Copilot, highlighting the impact of software updates on productivity tools and the need for vigilance in managing cyber risks.

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Congresswoman Julia Letlow joins the show to discuss her responsibilities during a challenging period for her parish. She highlighted the importance of providing support and resources to her constituents, addressing their immediate needs, and working on long-term recovery plans. Letlow emphasized the role of a congresswoman in advocating for federal assistance and collaborating with local leaders to rebuild and strengthen the community.

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Governor Jeff Landry joins the show to discuss Amendment 2, emphasizing its importance for Louisiana's future. He explained that Amendment 2 is part of a broader effort to reform the state's constitution, focusing on Article 7, which deals with revenue generation.

This amendment aims to streamline government operations and make the state more financially responsible.Landry highlighted that Amendment 2 includes a significant income tax reduction, the largest in the state's history, lowering the rate to a flat 3%. This change is designed to eventually eliminate income tax in Louisiana, providing financial relief to residents, especially seniors, and making the state more attractive for retirees who might otherwise move to states like Florida or Texas. The amendment also proposes a permanent pay raise for teachers, funded by reducing interest payments to Wall Street banks and reallocating funds from underutilized educational accounts. This move aims to end the long-standing issue of teachers' pay being a political football.

Additionally, Amendment 2 seeks to limit government spending growth, preserve existing homestead and religious exemptions, and work with local governments to eliminate the inventory tax, which is seen as a barrier to business entry.Landry pointed out the momentum in Louisiana, with significant private investments, including a $10 billion AI center by Meta in North Louisiana and an $18 billion expansion in Plaquemines Parish. He stressed that continued support for these reforms is crucial for maintaining this positive trajectory.In addressing concerns about religious exemptions, Landry assured that the amendment would not alter current protections. He emphasized his track record in protecting religious liberties and criticized misinformation that suggested otherwise.

Overall, Landry urged voters to support Amendment 2, highlighting its potential to drive economic growth, improve infrastructure, and enhance the quality of life for Louisiana residents.

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