CenLamar | Est. 2006

  • New Report: What the War in Iraq Has Cost Louisiana

    Last week, the National Priorities Project released a state-by-state report on the costs of the War in Iraq. This publication provides breakdowns by state and congressional district on the human and financial costs of the Iraq War. It also shows what a half trillion in Iraq War spending could buy each congressional district in local services. The data “is based on an analysis of the legislation in which Congress has allocated money for war so far and research by the Congressional Research Service which has access to Department of Defense financial reports. The trade-offs are based on average cost per…

  • Go-Zone Incentives Go to the Wrong Places

    In the aftermath of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, George W. Bush approved a sweeping and lucrative package of developer-ended tax incentives. HR 4440, also known as the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act. President Bush spoke about the Go-Zone Act on the day he signed it into law in December 2005. He said: Today, I’m going to sign the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005. It’s a step forward to fulfill this country’s commitment to help rebuild. It’s going to help small businesses, is what it’s going to do. For small businesses in the affected area, the GO Zone will double expensing…

  • The Jena Six: A Compendium

    Since December 2006, the quiet town of Jena, Louisiana has been the subject of intense media scrutiny. The story of the Jena Six has made national and international headlines, causing many to ask serious and important questions about the present-day realities of racism in Louisiana. The Daily Kingfish provides a synopsis, courtesy of Pursuing Holiness. For the purposes of clarity, this is the full recapitulation provided by Pursuing Happiness: On August 31, 2006, Jena High student Justin Purvis asked for permission to sit under the “white tree.” This is a tree in the school courtyard where whites typically sat. He…