Treasury News Room

Treasury News Room

Sarah Mulhearn
Communications Director
Phone: (225) 342-0012
smulhearn@treasury.state.la.us

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Current Press Releases and News Stories
04/23/2008 - Treasurer Kennedy Supports Legislation Requiring Elected Officials to Assist in the Classroom Baton Rouge, LA -- State Treasurer John Kennedy is supporting legislation that would require all statewide elected officials and members of the Legislature to assist public school teachers in the classroom twice a year.
04/07/2008 - Treasurer Kennedy Attends White House Ceremony for LSU Tigers
03/27/2008 -Treasurer Kennedy Supports Ending the Expenditure of State Funds for Earmarks BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy supports ending the expenditure of state funds for earmarks to non-profits, and is calling on the Legislature to pass SB 106 requiring full disclosure of these projects.
03/26/2008 -Louisiana’s START Program Named Nation’s Top Performing 529 College Saving Plan Baton Rouge-- Louisiana’s Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) saving program has been ranked the nation’s top performing 529 college savings plan in a recently released nationwide analysis.
03/20/2008 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces $419 Million in Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- At the March 20 meeting of the State Bond Commission, $419 million in funding was approved for projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
02/21/08 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met February 21 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
02/07/08 - Treasure Kennedy Reminds Working Families to Claim Earned Income Tax Credit BATON ROUGE, LA -- Earned Income Tax Credit Information
01/22/08 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- At its January 22 meeting, the State Bond Commission approved $325 million in funding for projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/20/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met December 20 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/11/07 - Unclaimed Property Could Provide Extra Cash This Christmas BATON ROUGE, LA – Christmas is right around the corner, and Louisiana residents who need extra cash this holiday season should check to see if they have unclaimed money listed with the Louisiana Department of the Treasury, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/15/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met November 15 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/05/07 - Treasury and The Mall At Cortana to Host Unclaimed Property Event BATON ROUGE, LA – The state is holding more than $330 million in lost money for Louisiana citizens, and Baton Rouge area residents can see if any of this money belongs to them at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day on Saturday, November 10, at The Mall At Cortana in Baton Rouge.
10/29/07 - Treasury Updates "Louisiana Spending Watch" Online Budget Tracker BATON ROUGE, LA – The State Treasury has updated its online “Louisiana Spending Watch” budget tracker to show taxpayers exactly where their money is going and how much state government spends each second, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. The online feature is accessible from the homepage of the Treasury’s website located at www.latreasury.com.
10/26/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met October 24 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
10/16/07 - October 31 Marks Deadline for Businesses to Report Unclaimed Property to State BATON ROUGE, LA – October 31 is the deadline for private businesses, financial institutions and public organizations to comply with Louisiana’s unclaimed property law and turn over money, securities and other intangible personal property to the state, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
10/10/07 - La. Residents Should Check Newspapers to See How Much of $27 Million Belongs to Them Louisiana residents should check the legal notices section of statewide newspapers this week for a listing of 81,726 individuals who are each owed a portion of nearly $27 million, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/20/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met September 20 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy
09/04/07 - Letter to the Editor RE: I-49 in the Passing Lane
08/22/07 - Website Unites Property Owners with Residents Searching for Affordable Housing BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana citizens searching for affordable housing in the state and landlords wanting to list available properties are coming together online on www.LAHousingSearch.org, a free, state-sponsored housing website, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
08/16/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met August 16 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
08/01/07 - Treasury Refunds $133,000 in Unclaimed Money to New Orleans Area Residents BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury returned $133,000 in missing money to New Orleans area citizens at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day held at Lakeside Shopping Center this past Saturday, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
07/27/07 - Treasurer Disappointed with Governor's Veto of Bill to Eliminate Business Utility Sales Tax BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy announced today he is disappointed with the Governor’s decision to veto legislation that would have provided a utility sales tax break for Louisiana businesses.
07/25/07 - Legislature Made Right Decision to Stall Tobacco Settlement Sale and Refinancing BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Legislature made the right decision when it stalled the Administration’s efforts to sell the state’s remaining tobacco settlement revenue stream and refinance outstanding tobacco debt, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
07/24/07 - Treasury and Lakeside Mall to Host Unclaimed Property Event BATON ROUGE, LA – The state is holding $330 million in lost money for Louisiana citizens, and New Orleans area residents can see if any of this money belongs to them at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day on Saturday, July 28 at Lakeside Mall in Metairie.
06/28/07 - Treasury to Host Unclaimed Property Holder Seminars Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA -- The Louisiana Department of the Treasury will be hosting a series of unclaimed property holder seminars to educate business owners and organization leaders about their legal responsibilities to report unclaimed money to the state, according to State Treasurer john Kennedy.
06/22/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met June 21 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
05/29/07 - Louisiana Citizens Owed $206 Million in Unclaimed U.S. Savings Bonds BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy wants the federal government to turn over information on roughly $206 million in unclaimed U.S. savings bonds to the Louisiana Department of the Treasury so that Louisiana citizens can start collecting their money.
05/21/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met May 17 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
05/09/07 - Standard & Poor’s Reports on State Pension Funding Levels BATON ROUGE, LA – A recently released Standard & Poor’s report shows the unfunded accrued liability (UAL) for Louisiana ’s principal state pension funds was roughly $10.8 billion this past year, amounting to a per capita UAL of $2,385, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. Principal state pension funds included in the S&P report were public employees’ retirement systems and teachers’ retirement systems.
04/19/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met April 19 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
04/18/07 - Treasury Launches Online “Follow Your Money” Budget Tracker BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury has launched an online “Follow Your Money” budget tracker on its website to help citizens see exactly how much of their tax dollars are being spent by state government each second, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
04/09/07 - Fitch Upgrades $61 Million in Orleans Parish Bonds BATON ROUGE, LA – Fitch announced this past week that it has upgraded the ratings on $61 million in bonds for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board and the New Orleans Audubon Park Commission, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
04/03/07 - Treasury Prevents Check Forgeries Using Positive Pay Feature BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury has stopped multiple attempted check forgeries over the past two months using an electronic fraud prevention measure called Positive Pay, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
03/28/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Supports Changes to Federal Social Security Law BATON ROUGE, LA — State Treasurer John Kennedy announced today that he supports federal legislation that would change the Social Security law so that certain pension benefits are restored for government retirees.
03/15/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- State Treasurer John Kennedy announced today that Louisiana will benefit from $1.2 billion in funding approved at the March 15 meeting of the State Bond Commission.
02/28/07 - Treasurer Kennedy Reminds Working Families to Claim Earned Income Tax Credit BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy is encouraging working families in Louisiana to take advantage of an important but often overlooked federal tax break known as the Earned Income Tax Credit (EITC).
02/15/07 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met February 15 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
01/08/07 - Treasury to Auction $70 Million in CDs to Louisiana Banks January 16 BATON ROUGE, LA – In an effort to meet Louisiana banks’ growing demand for state certificates of deposit (CDs), the Louisiana Department of the Treasury will auction $70 million in CDs online on Tuesday, January 16, at 10:00 a.m. The 30-minute auction will take place at www.BidLouisiana.com, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/19/06 - State Should Consider Securitizing Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Payments to Begin Restoring Coast Immediately BATON ROUGE, LA – The state should aggressively look into securitizing future oil and gas royalty payments from the federal government in exchange for a lump sum cash settlement to begin coastal restoration work immediately, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/18/06 - Deadline to Benefit from State Tax Deduction on START Deposits is December 29 BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana residents making deposits into the START 529 college saving plan have until noon on Friday, December 29, 2006, to benefit from deductions on their 2006 state tax returns, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/15/06 - Louisiana Participates in Historic Competitive Interest Rate Swap BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana accepted competitive bids for a $485 million forward interest rate swap agreement that will result in significant savings to finance road and highway improvements in the TIMED program, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/11/06 - Louisiana Should Use $273 Million in State Motor Vehicle Sales Taxes for Road Repairs BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana should dedicate the $273 million collected each year in state vehicle sales taxes to pay for road repairs instead of allowing the money to flow into the General Fund to pay for general government expenses, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/01/06 - National Association of State Treasurers to Hold Conference in New Orleans BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy will welcome treasurers and treasurers-elect from 24 states and the country of Mexico to the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) Treasury Management Conference to be held in New Orleans beginning Monday, December 4.
11/17/06 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met on November 16 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/15/06 - State Treasury Auctions $60 Million in CDs to Louisiana Banks BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury held its 23rd auction of certificates of deposit (CDs) this past month and awarded $60 million to 17 Louisiana banks, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/02/06 - State Should Use $100 Million from Budget Surplus to Finance I-49 BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana should dedicate $100 million from the announced $827 million budget surplus from last fiscal year to fund Interstate 49 North and South, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
10/23/06 - State Sells $1.13 Billion in Bonds to Fund TIMED Projects BATON ROUGE, LA – The state went to market October 17 to sell $1.13 billion in gasoline and fuels tax bonds to pay for various road and bridge projects in the Transportation Infrastructure Model for Economic Development (TIMED) program, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
10/20/06 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met on October 19 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/29/06 - Treasury to Publish Names of Roughly 84,000 Citizens Owed $27 Million in Newspapers Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury will publish the names of roughly 84,000 individuals who are owed more than $27 million in unclaimed property in the legal notices section of newspapers statewide during the first week of October, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/22/06 - State Has Record Participation in $500 Million GO Bond Sale BATON ROUGE, LA -- The state had an all-time record number of investment firms participating in its $500 million general obligation bond sale on September 21, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. This was the state’s first new money general obligation bond series issued for capital purposes since 2004.
09/21/06 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met on September 21 and approved funding for a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/12/06 - State Law Now Requires Businesses to Report Stocks and Other Securities Sooner BATON ROUGE, LA – A new state law requires companies holding stocks and other securities that have not been cashed or claimed after three years to report this unclaimed property to the state before November 1 of this year, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. Act 573 of the 2006 Regular Legislative Session, authored by Sen. Noble Ellington, reduces the time that businesses can hold stocks and other securities belonging to Louisiana citizens from five years to three years.
08/31/06 - State Should Use Budget Surplus to Reduce or Eliminate Homeowners’ Insurance Surcharges BATON ROUGE, LA – If the Revenue Estimating Conference reports a state budget surplus this fiscal year, the Legislature should appropriate the additional funds to pay Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation (Citizens) debt and reduce homeowners’ insurance surcharges, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
08/29/06 - Treasury Refunds $87,600 in Unclaimed Money to Lake Charles Residents BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury returned nearly $87,600 in missing money to southwest Louisiana citizens at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day held at Prien Lake Mall on Saturday, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
08/25/06 - Moody’s and S&P Raise Rating Outlook on State GO Bonds BATON ROUGE, LA – Standard and Poor’s and Moody’s have raised the rating outlook on the state’s general obligation bonds from “negative” to “stable,” according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. Fitch revised its rating outlook on state bonds to “stable” earlier this month.
08/23/06 - Treasury and Prien Lake Mall to Host Unclaimed Property Event BATON ROUGE, LA – The state is holding $302 million in lost money for Louisiana citizens, and southwest Louisiana residents can see if any of this money belongs to them at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day on Saturday, August 26 at Prien Lake Mall in Lake Charles.
08/18/06 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Announces Statewide Bond Commission Approvals BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission met on August 17 and approved millions of dollars to fund a variety of projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy
08/17/06 - President Makes Federal Tax Exemption on Withdrawals from Louisiana’s START Saving Program Permanent When Used To Pay Higher Education Expenses
08/10/06 - Fitch Raises Rating Outlook on State GO Bonds from Negative to Stable BATON ROUGE, LA – Fitch announced today it has raised the rating outlook on approximately $2.4 billion in outstanding state general obligation bonds from “negative” to “stable” and has reaffirmed the bonds’ “A” rating.
07/27/06 - Treasury Has Record-Breaking Year Collecting and Returning Unclaimed Property BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program closed out the 2006 fiscal year with $48.3 million in collections and $15.6 million in refunds -- both record amounts for the 33-year-old program.
07/21/06 - State Bond Commission Approves $560 Million for Statewide Projects
07/13/06 - State Sells $400 Million in Bonds to Aid Hurricane-Impacted Local Governments The State Bond Commission today approved the sale of $400 million in bonds to help hurricane-impacted political entities in Orleans Parish make debt service payments and avoid possible defaults, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
06/20/06 - Bond Commission Approves $631 Million in Funding for Projects Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission approved $631 million in bond issues and loans for projects statewide this month, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
06/06/06 - Treasury Leads Efforts To Streamline Investment Statutes BATON ROUGE, LA - State Treasurer John Kennedy’s proposal to standardize and update the State investment statutes through House Bill 907 passed successfully out of the Senate Tuesday night. The bill passed through the House last month, and now moves to the Governor for her signature as the final step in the enactment process.
05/25/06 - Bond Commission Approves $421 Million for Projects Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA - On May 18, the State Bond Commission held its monthly meeting and approved $421 million in projects for Louisiana, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
05/24/06 - Treasury Refunds Over $133,000 in Unclaimed Money to New Orleans Residents BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Treasury returned its second-highest daily amount of unclaimed property at Lakeside Mall this past Saturday at its Unclaimed Property Awareness Day. Claims totaling over $133,000 were returned to New Orleans area residents, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
05/18/06 - Kennedy Urges Commitment to Small Business Loan Guaranty Program BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission gave preliminary approval today to a loan and credit guaranty program for small businesses needing financing to recover and rebuild from damages caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. Treasurer Kennedy is urging the Governor and the Legislature to include funding for this program in the General Appropriations Bill of the 2006 Regular Legislative Session.
05/18/06 - State Treasury and Lakeside Mall to Host Unclaimed Property Event BATON ROUGE, LA -- The state owes $299 million in unclaimed property to Louisiana citizens, and New Orleans area residents can see if any of this money belongs to them at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day on Saturday, May 20 at the Lakeside Mall.
04/28/06 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Hosts Financial Summit for Local Governments BATON ROUGE, LA -- State Treasurer John Kennedy hosted a financial summit in Baton Rouge at the Louisiana Municipal Association Building on Tuesday for local governments affected by hurricanes Katrina and Rita. Information was provided about current available recovery programs and possible future opportunities.
04/26/06 - Bond Commission Approves $926 Million for Projects Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA - The State Bond Commission held its monthly meeting on April 20 and approved $926 million in projects for Louisiana, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
04/06/06 - Kennedy Urges Action on GO-ZONE Tax Credit Bonds BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy today urged the Governor and the Legislature to move forward with the issuance of the Gulf Tax Credit Bonds to prevent possible defaults by local governments on their bonded indebtedness. The Louisiana Legislature passed legislation during the February Special Session that authorizes the issuance of up to $200 million in Gulf Tax Credit Bonds with a 100 percent match by the state pursuant to the federal Gulf Opportunity Zone Act of 2005 (GOZA).
03/02/06 - Kennedy Encourages Businesses to Take Advantage of Tax-Exempt Private Activity Bonds Businesses in 31 hurricane-impacted parishes should take advantage of $7.9 billion in tax-exempt private activity bonds authorized for rebuilding in Louisiana under the Gulf Opportunity Zone Act (GOZA), according to State Treasurer John Kennedy
02/17/06 - Bond Commission Approves $144 Million in Funding for Projects Statewide The State Bond Commission held its monthly meeting on February 16 and approved $144 million in projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
02/09/06 - House Committee Passes Gulf Opportunity Zone Act Provisions BATON ROUGE, LA - House Bill 93 authorizing the issuance of $200 million in Gulf Tax Credit Bonds and the restructuring of $4.5 billion in state and local government debt has passed out of the House Ways and Means Committee, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
01/20/06 - Bond Commission Approves $538 Million in Funding for Projects Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA -- At the January 19 meeting of the State Bond Commission, $538 million was approved for projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
01/17/06 - Legislature Should Authorize Money for Local Governments During Special Session During the upcoming Special Session, the Louisiana Legislature should authorize the issuance of federal Gulf Tax Credit Bonds and appropriate the required state match to help local governments make debt service payments and avoid defaults, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/28/05 - State Should Be Cautious Entering Market with New Federal Bonding Authority BATON ROUGE, LA – Congress has given Louisiana new bonding authority to assist local governments and businesses affected by the hurricanes, but the state should carefully regulate all new bond issues to avoid penalties and negative credit implications, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
12/15/05 - Bond Commission Approves $2.3 Billion in Funding for Projects Statewide The State Bond Commission held its monthly meeting December 15 and approved $2.3 billion in funding for statewide projects, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/29/05 - Treasurer Kennedy Proposes Financial Alternatives to Legislature BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy presented several financial measures to members of the Louisiana Legislature today for their consideration in helping hurricane-impacted local governments and businesses in the probable Special Session in January.
11/28/05 - Treasurer Kennedy’s Letter to The Legislature
11/16/05 - Kennedy Urges Legislature to Consider Alternate Financing Plans BATON ROUGE, LA - State Treasurer John Kennedy is urging the Louisiana Legislature to consider alternate borrowing proposals to HB 157, citing the need to access cheaper capital and to ensure that all borrowing and funding decisions are made in an open meeting.
11/09/05 - SBA Launches New Loan Program for Businesses Affected By Hurricanes BATON ROUGE, LA - The Small Business Administration (SBA) has launched a new program that should speed up the loan process for businesses affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/03/05 - FHA Program Could Help La. Hospitals Rebuild While Saving Millions BATON ROUGE, LA - Louisiana hospitals can take advantage of the Federal Housing Administration’s (FHA) Section 242 Hospital Mortgage Insurance Program to borrow money to rebuild facilities while saving millions of dollars in interest payments, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
11/01/05 - Treasury Releases November Debt Service Payment Information BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury has released November debt service payment information for local governments affected by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.
10/27/05 - State Could Refinance Tobacco Bonds to Ease Financial Difficulties Caused By Hurricanes State Treasurer John Kennedy is proposing another debt-restructuring option for the Louisiana Legislature to consider to help Louisiana contend with financial and economic difficulties caused by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita
10/12/05 - Vitter and Kennedy Call on State and Feds to Cut Red Tape, Speed Money to Locals BATON ROUGE, LA – U.S. Sen. David Vitter and Louisiana State Treasurer John Kennedy today called upon the state and the federal government to cut the bureaucracy and red tape to speed newly approved federal monies to local governments.
10/11/05 - Banks Nationwide Helping Hurricane Katrina Victims BATON ROUGE, LA - Several major banks nationwide are helping Hurricane Katrina victims deal with personal financial difficulties by deferring various loan payments and waiving certain fees, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
10/04/05 - Treasury Releases October 4 through October 31 Debt Service Information BATON ROUGE, LA - State Treasurer John Kennedy announced today that local governments in areas affected by the recent hurricanes in Louisiana have $5.6 million in debt service payments coming due between October 4 and October 31.
10/04/05 - Businesses Affected By Katrina Need Faster Access to Emergency Loans BATON ROUGE, LA -- At a roundtable discussion held today in Baton Rouge, State Treasurer John Kennedy said that the Small Business Association (SBA) should speed up the loan process for businesses affected by Hurricane Katrina by granting “Preferred Lender” status to qualified banks in Louisiana.
10/03/05 - Procedures for Selecting Contractors to Rebuild Louisiana Should Be Made Public BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy is calling on the state to collect and publicly publish all written procedures used by state, federal and local governments to select contractors to rebuild Louisiana after Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita.
09/30/05 - Local and State Government Debt Information Now Available Online BATON ROUGE, LA -- The Louisiana Department of the Treasury has posted information on local and state government debt on its website, located at www.latreasury.com, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/29/05 - Treasury Releases Information About Debt Payments Due This Week Local governments in areas affected by Hurricane Katrina and Hurricane Rita have $34.1 million in debt service payments coming due this week, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/26/05 - Media Advisory -- State of Louisiana Reschedules Investor Conference Call
09/19/05 - Legislature Should Pass Law Prohibiting Elected Officials and Relatives from Receiving Rebuilding Contracts BATON ROUGE, LA – State Treasurer John Kennedy is calling on the Louisiana Legislature to pass a law, or Governor Blanco to issue an Executive Order, prohibiting elected and appointed officials and their relatives from receiving contracts to work on Hurricane Katrina rebuilding efforts.
09/16/05 - Kennedy Calls for Outside Firm to Account and Audit FEMA and Federal Funds BATON ROUGE, LA – The state should hire the Louisiana office of one of the “Big Four” major national accounting firms to aid in the accounting and auditing of Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) and other federal funds flowing into Louisiana to help pay for the damage caused by Hurricane Katrina, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
09/08/05 - State Treasurer John Kennedy Has Issued the Following Statement BATON ROUGE, LA -- Effective immediately, I am implementing a freeze on all nonessential spending by the Department of the Treasury
09/08/05 - Business Week -- Louisiana Timetable for Recovery; It won't happen in the fourth quarter -- but, says State Treasurer John Kennedy, it won't take decades either: "That's nonsense"
09/08/05 - Business Week -- Why These Bonds Will Stay Afloat; Federal aid and rainy-day funds should ease fears about defaults on Gulf Coast munis, even in ravaged New Orleans
09/07/05 - Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation Collecting Donations for Hurricane Katrina Relief BATON ROUGE, LA -- Individuals or corporations wanting to aid in Hurricane Katrina relief efforts can send donations to the Louisiana Disaster Recovery Foundation, a non-profit fund established by the state, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
08/23/05 - Bond Commission Approves $1.4 Billion in Funding for Projects Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA -- The State Bond Commission held its monthly meeting August 18 and approved $1.4 billion in funding for projects statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
07/26/05 - Treasury Has Record Bank Participation in CD Auction BATON ROUGE, LA – The Louisiana Department of the Treasury held its most successful online auction of certificates of deposit to date with a record 28 Louisiana banks submitting 273 bids worth $172 million, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
07/22/05 - Bond Commission Approves $876.3 Million in Funding Statewide BATON ROUGE, LA --The State Bond Commission has approved $876.3 million in bond issues, loans and refinancings statewide, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
07/21/05 - Treasury Has Record-Breaking Year Collecting and Returning Unclaimed Property The Louisiana Department of the Treasury closed out the 2005 fiscal year with $42.5 million in unclaimed property collections and $14.1 million in unclaimed property refunds, both record amounts for the 32-year-old program.
07/12/05 - Treasurer Kennedy Encourages Louisiana Citizens to Access Free Credit Reports Online
Opinion Columns
Working Families in Louisiana Missing Out on Earned Income Tax Credits
Treasury Makes Smart Decisions Today to Prepare for State's Future
State Should Consider Securitizing Federal Oil and Gas Royalty Payments to Begin Restoring Coast Immediately
Treasury Year in Review
Louisiana Law Protects Buyers and Recipients of Gift Cards
Local Governments Can Use Certain Money Market Mutual Funds for Sweep Accounts
Treasury’s Unclaimed Property Program - A $303 Million Jackpot for Louisiana Citizens
GO Zone Tax Credit Bonds Offer Financial Solution for Hurricane-Impacted Areas
The Completion of I-49 Should Remain a Top Priority for Louisiana
Divided Vote Referendum Gives Public Employees Option to Pay Medicare
New Law Offers Rebuilding Opportunities But Caution Is Needed When Entering Financial Market
Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund Continues Successes in 2005
LAMP Continues to Offer Investment Benefits to Local Government Participants
Local Governments to Face Financial Challenges in the Wake of Hurricanes
Treasury Hosts Most Successful BidLouisiana Auction To Date
Treasury Celebrates New Fiscal Year with Unclaimed Property Successes
States See $84.2 Million in Tobacco Payments Go Up In Smoke
Legislative Session Could Provide Opportunity to Fund State Match for I-49
Social Security Reform Should Include Restored Benefits for Public Retirees
Louisiana Businesses Should Encourage Employees to Claim EITC
Treasury Security Measures Protect Against Check Fraud

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