Treasury News Room

2003 Press Releases
December 9, 2003 - Treasury Encourages Citizens to Claim Holiday Cash This Week Louisiana citizens filing claims for unclaimed property this week could receive their checks in time to pay holiday bills, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
December 9, 2003 - State Treasury Returns $10,500 in Unclaimed Property to Houma Citizens The Louisiana Department of the Treasury returned $10,500 to Houma residents at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day held at Southland Mall on Saturday, December 6, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
December 4, 2003 - Current Mutual Fund Scandals Do Not Affect START Investments Scandals now plaguing the mutual fund industry have not affected parent's investments in Louisiana's 529 Plan, also known as the START Program, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
December 3, 2003 - Treasury to Host Unclaimed Property Holder Seminars in Monroe and Shreveport Seminars will focus on holders' responsibilities under the law and the state's unclaimed property amnesty program.
December 1, 2003 - State Treasury and Southland Mall to Host Unclaimed Property Awareness Day Does the state of Louisiana owe you money? Houma area residents will have a chance to find out at the State Treasury's $238 million Unclaimed Property Awareness Day on Saturday, December 6, at Southland Mall.
November 19, 2003 - Treasury to Host Unclaimed Property Holder Seminar in Baton Rouge The Louisiana Department of the Treasury will host an unclaimed property holder seminar on Friday, November 21, in Baton Rouge, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. The seminar will focus on holders’ responsibilities under the law, the state’s unclaimed property amnesty program, and the Treasury’s upcoming in-state unclaimed property audit.
November 18, 2003 - Treasury Website Provides Tools for Avoiding Identity Theft, Managing Personal Finances The Louisiana Department of the Treasury is increasing consumer information services on www.latreasury.com by providing tools for citizens to avoid identity theft and manage personal finances, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
November 13, 2003 - Treasury to Host First Unclaimed Property Holder Seminar in New Orleans The Louisiana Department of the Treasury kicks off its statewide schedule of unclaimed property holder seminars on Tuesday, November 18, in New Orleans, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
October 31, 2003 - LEQTF Annual Report Available Online The 2003 Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund (LEQTF) Annual Report highlighting $62 million in Board of Regents and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE) projects is now available online at www.latreasury.com, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. This year’s report specifically focuses on research and educational projects on the university level.	Click here to download 2003 LEQTF Report
October 28, 2003 - Treasurers Push for Stricter Investment Guidelines and Corporate Governance State Treasurer John Kennedy joined the National Association of State Treasurers (NAST) in passing four resolutions urging stricter guidelines on investment firms and enhancing corporate governance in order to protect individual investors.
October 15, 2003 - Louisiana Banks Invited to Bid Online for $25 Million Banks needing upfront cash for lending purposes can bid for $25 million in certificates of deposit (CDs) online on Tuesday, October 21, at 10:00 a.m., according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. The Treasury will hold a 30-minute auction of CDs at www.bidlouisiana.com
October 14, 2003 - Statewide Newspapers to Publish Names of 50,000 Citizens Owed $15 Million The Louisiana Department of the Treasury is publishing the names of individuals with new unclaimed property totaling $15 million in newspapers statewide on October 16 and October 23, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.	List of Newspapers and Publication Dates
October 6, 2003 - State Treasury and Alexandria Mall to Host Unclaimed Property Awareness Day Does the state of Louisiana owe you money? Alexandria residents will have a chance to find out at the State Treasury’s $217 million Unclaimed Property Awareness Day on Saturday, October 11, at Alexandria Mall.
September 16, 2003 - Louisiana to Pocket $5.6 Million from Global Wall Street Settlement Louisiana will receive $5.6 million in restitution from a $1.4 billion settlement between Wall Street and state and federal regulators over conflicts of interest in investment practices, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
September 15, 2003 - Local Governments Can Use LAMP to Invest Taxpayer Dollars Wisely Nearly 500 local governments currently invest in the $1.25 billion Louisiana Asset Management Pool (LAMP), and more should jump on board to take advantage of this low-cost investment vehicle, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
September 9, 2003 - Banks Can Now Use Deposit Guaranty Bonds as Collateral for State Deposits Louisiana banks that previously lacked the collateral securities they needed for state deposits have a new type of security at their disposal, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. The Louisiana Department of the Treasury now accepts deposit guaranty bonds as a surety for deposits of state funds.	Deposit Guaranty Bonds Document
September 4, 2003 - November 1 Marks Deadline for Businesses to Report Unclaimed Property November 1 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.
August 29 2003 - 40 States Speak: September is College Savings Month! The College Savings Plans Network (CSPN) has been joined by more than 40 states in declaring September 2003 “College Savings Month.”
August 21, 2003 - Addendum to LEQTF Request For Proposal The Department of the Treasury issues this addendum to modify that portion of the RFP which references the final date all proposals must be submitted.
August 21, 2003 - State Bond Commission Approvals August 21, 2003 According to State Treasurer John Kennedy, the State Bond Commission was able to save taxpayers around $4.5 million today by helping local governments refinance bonds. The commission also approved a variety of new business developments which will bring more than 5,300 new jobs to Louisiana citizens.
August 14, 2003 - LEQTF - RFP Written Questions and Answers Written Questions Submitted By Interested Parties and Department of the Treasury's responses.
August 7, 2003 - State Trust Funds Generate $137 Million in Investment Earnings Fiscal year 2002-2003 investment numbers are in for the state’s three major trust funds, and their combined earnings topped $137 million, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
July 30, 2003 - (LEQTF) - Safekeeping and Custodial Services RFP The Department of the Treasury is interested in receiving proposals from qualified banks, trust companies, and/or custodians in connection with asset safekeeping and custody services for the LEQTF.
July 28, 2003 - Investors Missing Out On Millions in Interest on Matured Savings Bonds U.S. citizens are missing out on millions of dollars in payments from savings bonds that have matured and have stopped earning interest, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
July 21, 2003 - Moody’s Joins Other National Firms in Upgrading State’s Bond Rating Moody’s Investors Service has followed the lead of two other national bond rating firms—Standard & Poor’s and Fitch—in upgrading Louisiana’s bond rating, affecting roughly $2 billion in debt, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
July 18, 2003 - The state is benefiting from $1.2 billion in projects approved at this month's State Bond Commission meeting, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy. A detailed list of approved projects statewide is available here.
July 18, 2003 - START and Vanguard to Offer More Investment Options to Account Owners Treasurer Kennedy joins (left to right) Jack Guinn, Director of the Office of Student Financial Assistance, and Brent Hillhouse, Principal, The Vanguard Group, to sign the contract making equity investments possible for START account owners.
July 16, 2003 - Online Treasury Auction Places $25 Million in CDs with Louisiana Banks The Louisiana Department of the Treasury held its tenth online auction for certificates of deposit (CDs) July 15; the quarterly auction resulted in $25 million placed with eight Louisiana banks, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
July 10, 2003 - Louisiana Law to Mandate Personal Financial Instruction for High School Students Louisiana high schools will soon be preparing students for their financial futures by teaching them how to manage their money, use credit wisely, and develop savings plans, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
June 24, 2003 - State Treasury Returns $17,317 in Unclaimed Property to New Orleans Residents The Louisiana Department of the Treasury returned $17,317 to New Orleans residents at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day held at the St. Claude Community Center on Saturday, June 21, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy
June 5, 2003 - Treasury Breaks Year-End Record for Unclaimed Property Refunds...and Year Isn't Even Over With $12 million in refunds, Department has already outpaced last year by $800,000.
· May 15, 2003 - Credit Rating Upgrades Help Generate Record Results at Bond Sale State sells $290.8 million in general obligation bonds at a 3.8 percent interest rate.
· April 16, 2003 - Treasury Returns $19,000 at St. Bernard Unclaimed Property Awareness Day State Treasury still has $219 million in hidden treasure…some of it may be yours.
· April 16, 2003 - Online Treasury Auction Places $25 Million in CDs With Louisiana Banks The State Treasury held its quarterly online auction for certificates of deposit (CDs) this week, placing $25 million with 11 Louisiana Banks.
· April 14, 2003 - Tax Time is Perfect Time to Claim Old, Missing Refunds Treasurer Kennedy encourages online unclaimed property claims for speedy refunds.
April 8, 2003 - Home Loans At Affordable Low Rates Available $35 million loan program with financial assistance begins April 7th.
April 1, 2003 - State Government Could Save Money If Agencies Used Cash Management Program Treasurer Kennedy recommends four options for increased efficiency and investment earnings.
March 20, 2003 - SB 38 Could Inoculate Louisiana Youths Against Debt Epidemic Treasurer Kennedy asks Legislature to support program to teach students money management skills.	Click here for SB38 Click here for SB 38 background Click here for Youth Financial Literacy Statistics
March 13, 2003 - State Trust Funds’ Market Value Increases By $110 Million The market value of state trust funds for healthcare and education has increased by $110 million eight months into the new fiscal year, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
March 10, 2003 - LOUISIANA RECEIVES ADDITIONAL ENERGY ASSISTANCE FUNDS FOR LOW-INCOME FAMILIES The Louisiana Housing Finance Agency (LHFA) has received $699,000 in additional funds for the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program (LIHEAP), bringing this year’s total to nearly $15 million for energy assistance for low-income families. The additional funding comes after U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Tommy Thompson announced the release of $151.3 million nationwide.
February 28, 2003 - Online Annual Report Highlights Treasury Investments and Functions The State Treasury has published its Annual Report for Fiscal Year 2002 showcasing state investments, cash flow, credit rating and other statistics on its website located at www.latreasury.com.	Click here to view Annual report

February 17, 2003 - Local Governments Could Save Millions By Refinancing Debt Over the past two years, 126 local governments statewide have saved more than $126 million by refinancing debt, and there’s potential to save more in today’s low interest rate environment, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.	Click here to view report

February 21, 2003 - Moody’s Placing Louisiana on “Watchlist” for Bond Rating Upgrade Moody's has placed the State of Louisiana's A2 general obligation bond rating on a Watchlist for a possible upgrade.
February 3, 2003 - Treasury Returns $84,800 in Unclaimed Property to New Orleans Residents at Lakeside Shopping Center The Louisiana Department of the Treasury returned $84,800 to New Orleans area residents at an Unclaimed Property Awareness Day held at Lakeside Shopping Center this weekend, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
January 23, 2003 - IRS Owes $778,029 in Income Tax Refunds to Louisiana Citizens The IRS owes $778,029 in undelivered tax refunds to 1,245 Louisiana citizens, and the State Treasury is helping to locate these individuals by posting their names on its Web site.	Click Here For the Most Current List

January 16, 2003 - Tapping Rainy Day Fund Could Drain State Dry The state should not tap into the Rainy Day Fund again this year or next, even though an Attorney General’s opinion states it is fine to do so, according to State Treasurer John Kennedy.
January 13, 2003 - Louisiana's START Saving Program Partners With BABYMINT The Louisiana Tuition Trust Authority (LATTA) has approved a partnership agreement between the Student Tuition Assistance and Revenue Trust (START) Saving Program, Louisiana's "529" college saving plan, and the BabyMint network - a microinvestment technology firm that automatically deposits cash rebates into "529" plans when participants shop at selected retailers.

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