Leadership in the House of Representatives saw fit last week to muscle through passage of possibly the largest tax increase in Louisiana history via a package of bills sponsored by a range of authors (total value of the package is around $677 million). Partisan politics were somewhat set aside as leadership urged passage of 11 major bills off the House floor. Yes there was some resistance, but the message from leadership was clear: the package of bills was going to pass regardless of opposition. When … Continue reading House reveals its newfound love for tax increases→
The state’s $1.6 billion deficit continues to heavily shape the debate at the Capitol this session. House Speaker Chuck Kleckley, R-Lake Charles, indicated last week that a “package of bills had been assembled” designed to solve the budget deficit. Kleckley indicated he’s been working with the Senate leadership and House members to develop “options and consensus.” Last week the House Ways and Means Committee continued passing to the House floor nearly every bill before it that would have the effect of increasing revenue. Even though a few of the bills reported from Ways and Means are … Continue reading Legislative Update→
We urge your support for HB 387 and SB 150, both of which will extend our state’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, so that they can continue delivering important impacts throughout our entire state, from small towns to big cities. Louisiana is consistently among the top states nationally in historic rehabilitation, in large part due to our highly effective state Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits, and it is important to continue that success. Our state’s Historic Rehabilitation Tax Credits are proven successes that induce significant private … Continue reading AIA Louisiana Urges Support of Historic Tax Credits→
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated for James Anthony Brocato at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, April 25, 2015, in Our Lady of Prompt Succor Catholic Church, with Rev. Dan O’Connor and Rev. John Brocato, Jr. officiating. Interment will follow in Greenwood Memorial Park under the direction of John Kramer & Son Funeral Home. Visitation will held on Friday, April 24, 2015, from 5:00 p.m. until 8:00 p.m. and will resume on Saturday from 8:30 until 10:30, at the funeral home. A recitation of … Continue reading James Anthony Brocato→
By Tom Ichniowski Congress has approved a narrowly focused measure that aims to encourage—but not require—commercial buildings owners and tenants to improve their facilities’ energy efficiency. Final congressional action on the bill came on April 21, when the House passed it under suspension of the chamber’s rules. The Senate approved the legislation on March 27, which next goes to the White House for President Obama’s expected signature. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. Rob Portman (R-Ohio), termed it “good for the economy and good for the environment.” … Continue reading Congress Clears Bill to Improve Buildings’ Energy Efficiency→
New Orleans post Hurricane Katrina was in dire need of positive social and structural restoration when the Grow Dat Youth Farm was conceived in 2010. Since it was completed in 2013, it has become an architectural model of environmentally conscious design, innovative reuse of construction materials, and successful social entrepreneurship. Now entering its fourth year, the Grow Dat Youth Farm has employed more than 150 high school students to grow more than 30,000 pounds of healthy food for the community. The students receive a … Continue reading Youth farm design proves effective in both savings and uniting community→
More than 200 architects across Louisiana gathered at the Manship Theatre in the Shaw Center for the Arts in Baton Rouge on March 13 for the Celebrate Architecture program on Activate|Integrate|Fabricate. The educational event is sponsored by the American Institute of Architects Louisiana chapter (AIA LA). It features nationally-renowned architects providing presentations projects that impacted cultural and environmental conditions in communities.
March 29, 1934 – March 14, 2015 Colonel Mattison was born in Bastrop, La. on March 29, 1934 and died March 14, 2015. He graduated from Bastrop High School in 1952 and Tulane University School of Architecture in 1957. He was commandant of cadets in ROTC, and received his commission in the United States Air Force. In April of that year, he married his forever love, Carolyn Jo Goodwin. Upon graduation, he entered active duty and was assigned to Lowry Air Force Base in Denver, … Continue reading Lt. Col. William L. Mattison→
