ABiz Columns
Fair to Middlin'
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
In this economy, flat is not a bad word — and in some areas we’re doing much better than that.
LEDA collects hundreds of data indicators including retail sales, construction valuation, per capita income and more. It is those specific tracking points, plus anecdotal information from community and business leaders, that provide LEDA with the numerical research and key valuations to present Lafayette in the best light to those businesses or individuals seeking to become a part of our community.
The Fellow Behind the Tree
Wednesday, December 29, 2010
If you live in Shreveport, you pay almost double the property tax of those in Baton Rouge and Lafayette. By Elliott Stonecipher
As Louisiana marches to next spring’s rendezvous with the “Grim Reaper of Unsustainable Government Spending,” those who argue for higher taxes rather than reduced governmental size and spending are increasingly making their case. Such activity is centered among Democrats in the Legislature, including Senate President Joel Chaisson. What continues to be a particular thorn in the sides of Democrats is the effective legislative rescission two years ago of the Stelly (income) Tax increase.
Conflicts Worth Watching
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Louisiana’s assessors are taking on Big Oil while the state treasurer faces off against Team Jindal. Why? Money, of course.
The time between elections is normally quiet, punctuated largely by the fellowship of Thanksgiving, the merriment of Christmas and renewal through New Year’s. But that feel-good vibe has been body-slammed by the economy.
The wheels of state government are coming unhinged at the thought of not having enough money to support the current $27 billion budget. Next year, Gov. Bobby Jindal and the Legislature will have to knock a couple of billions off that figure to keep the budget in balance.
Shaking the Money Tree
Wednesday, November 24, 2010
Say what you want about the current level of stock prices, but at 22 times earnings, stocks are anything but cheap.
Never underestimate Wall Street’s ability to shake the money tree. The newest pitch can be seen in this recent note sent out by a local brokerage to clients and prospects:
“…there have only been three 20-year trailing periods since 1926 where bonds have outperformed stocks: 1912-1932; 1930-1950 & 1989-2009. In each 10-year period following these 20-year periods of underperformance, the average increase in the U.S. stock market was 19.8%% per year!!
Source: The Leuthold Group/Calamos Advisors
Secondly, whenever the stock market returned less than 5%/yr. for any 10 year period, the next 10 year average annual return was 13%...with a range of 7% to 18%...without exception!!
Source: Davis Funds”
Seeking Higher Ground
Will the World Delta Dialogues be enough to save America’s — and Louisiana’s — wetlands? By Cherry Fisher May
Even a reluctant student of history is usually at least curious about the many civilizations and societies that have disappeared since the dawn of recorded time. The Anasazi. The Maya. The Roman Empire. The Soviet Union. What caused them to fail?
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