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Rep. Knox proposes tip tax exemption for Louisiana workers

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Rep. Knox proposes tip tax exemption for Louisiana workers

www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-04-02 18:16:55

SUMMARY: Rep. Alonzo Knox from New Orleans has introduced a bill to exempt tips from state income tax for Louisiana workers, aiming to provide tax relief to those in the hospitality industry, which supports 72,000 jobs in New Orleans. Many workers rely on tips, and Knox’s proposal would allow them to deduct tip income from their taxes. However, some experts, like Yon Mohler from Invest Louisiana, warn that this could reduce state revenue during challenging economic times and suggest implementing a meaningful state minimum wage instead. Knox anticipates bipartisan support for the bill, which targets individuals earning less than $65,000 annually.

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Lawmakers are due back in Baton Rouge on April 14 for the start of this year’s regular session.

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New homeless supportive housing project breaks ground on South Side

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New homeless supportive housing project breaks ground on South Side

www.youtube.com – KSAT 12 – 2025-04-23 20:51:59

SUMMARY: A new supportive housing project, the Commons at Aakia Trails, has begun construction on the South Side, aiming to provide permanent homes for over 200 individuals experiencing homelessness. This initiative is part of the city’s goal to establish 1,000 permanent supportive housing units to offer not just shelter but essential services like healthcare and addiction support. Managed by Sam Ministries, the Commons will help residents overcome personal challenges and reintegrate into the community. With the project expected to open all units by late next year, it will significantly contribute to addressing the urgent need for such housing solutions.

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A new housing project to help support more than 200 chronically homeless people officially broke ground Wednesday.

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Adjusting contractors face scrutiny from the House Insurance Committee | Louisiana

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Adjusting contractors face scrutiny from the House Insurance Committee | Louisiana

www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-23 14:48:00

(The Center Square) — A Louisiana House committee advanced legislation this week that could reshape how contractors interact with homeowners after storm damage, reigniting debate over consumer protection and insurance industry influence.

At the center of the debate is House Bill 121, which seeks to crack down on unlicensed public adjusting by contractors, particularly in the roofing industry. The measure would keep the current penalty of up to $5,000 per violation but adds clearer restrictions on what contractors can say or do when it comes to insurance claims.

Though the bill was reported favorably without objection from lawmakers, witnesses testimony suggests that the bill could backfire tremendously. 

The bill would explicitly prohibit roofing contractors from assisting homeowners with insurance paperwork before a claim is filed.

A separate, related proposal would broaden that restriction to include all contractors. The bill also bars licensed public adjusters from doing repair work on the same claims they’re handling — a move supporters argue would eliminate conflicts of interest that could inflate costs and premiums.

Opponents say the measure is overly vague and could unfairly penalize contractors trying to help clients navigate the often-confusing claims process.

“This bill is ambiguous,” said Jonathan Davis, a board member of the Residential Roofing Association of Louisiana, during committee testimony. “It talks about claim handling, but that could mean a lot of things,” he said, such as doing a damage assessment or sending in a bid using the insurer’s own software.

Davis raised concerns that even basic communication — like explaining deductibles — could be interpreted as unauthorized public adjusting.

“Just like I can tell you there’s an engine in a car without being a mechanic, I should be able to explain what a deductible is without being a licensed adjuster,” Davis told lawmakers.

Josh Lovell, a sales and project manager with Gator Roofing, echoed those concerns.

“Eighty percent of the homeowners I meet don’t know what to do when we find damage,” he said. “They ask, ‘What do I do?’ and we walk them through it — wind damage, hail damage, hurricane damage — they don’t know the difference or what deductible applies. If we’re not even allowed to explain the process, we’re just handing everything over to the insurance companies.”

Lovell warned that limiting contractor communication with homeowners could leave people vulnerable to underpaid claims and strip them of the support they often rely on.

“People say, ‘I don’t want to talk to my insurance company, can you handle it?’ That doesn’t mean we’re trying to act as adjusters. We’re just helping people who are overwhelmed,” Lovell continues.

Despite the pushback, supporters of the bill say the intent is to protect consumers and preserve the integrity of the claims process.

The House Insurance Committee advanced the bill, though some lawmakers acknowledged the enforcement concerns.

Rep. Edmond Jordan, D-East Baton Rouge, questioned how the state would prove violations without direct evidence.

“If we don’t have something in writing or an audio recording, how do we enforce this?” he asked.

House Bill 121 now heads to the full House for consideration.

The post Adjusting contractors face scrutiny from the House Insurance Committee | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com

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Bon Bon Vivant talk music and performance at Wednesday at the Square in New Orleans

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Bon Bon Vivant talk music and performance at Wednesday at the Square in New Orleans

www.youtube.com – WWLTV – 2025-04-23 08:43:57

SUMMARY: Bon Bon Vivant, a dynamic New Orleans band, has a busy schedule with 7 concerts in the next 3 weeks, including a performance at Jazz Fest on May 2nd. Band members Abigail Coscio and Jeremy Kelly, along with their bandmates, discussed their upcoming shows, including a single release titled “Sin Eater” in mid-May. The song explores a dark yet romantic concept, inspired by the historical practice of sin eating. The band, known for its eclectic mix of sounds, is excited to showcase new music, including “Odetta,” and will feature dancers at Jazz Fest for an enhanced performance experience.

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Bon Bon Vivant has been playing music together since 2013, formed in the French Quarter of New Orleans. They

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