Updated 10:08 am CDT, Sunday, May 12, 2019 BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana saw record tourism numbers last year. According to Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser, the state welcomed 51.3 million visitors in 2018. He says that's an increase of 9% over the 47.1 million visitors reported by DK Shifflet, a tourism and travel research company, in April 2017. In a news release Friday, Nungesser said visitors spent $18.8 billion, a 7% increase over 2017. Nungesser says tourism growth has enabled the state to generate more tax revenue. He says the state's new tourism brand, Feed Your Soul, has also helped attract more visitors. He says the promotion has helped convey to the world that "no other state can offer the incredible bounty of food, music, history and culture that Louisiana can." … [Read more...] about Lt. Gov.: State welcomed more than 51 million in 2018
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SC gov State of State hits on familiar education, tax themes
Jeffrey Collins, Associated Press Updated 5:24 pm PST, Wednesday, January 23, 2019 South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster delivers the State of the State address at the South Carolina Statehouse, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster delivers the State of the State address at the South Carolina Statehouse, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. Photo: Sean Rayford, AP Photo: Sean Rayford, AP Image 1 of / 7 Caption Close Image 1 of 7 South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster delivers the State of the State address at the South Carolina Statehouse, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in Columbia, S.C. South Carolina Governor Henry McMaster delivers the State of the State address at the South Carolina Statehouse, Wednesday, Jan. 23, 2019, in … [Read more...] about SC gov State of State hits on familiar education, tax themes
Abbott names longtime staffer as Texas’ next secretary of state
By Allie Morris, Austin Bureau Updated 5:49 pm CST, Monday, December 17, 2018 David Whitley David Whitley Photo: Courtesy Photo: Courtesy Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 David Whitley David Whitley Photo: Courtesy Abbott names longtime staffer as Texas’ next secretary of state 1 / 1 Back to Gallery AUSTIN — Gov. Greg Abbott on Monday appointed longtime staffer David Whitley as Texas’ next secretary of state, a position that oversees elections. Whitley replaces outgoing Secretary of State Rolando Pablos, who announced earlier this month he was resigning to return to private law practice. In addition to elections oversight, the secretary of state keeps … [Read more...] about Abbott names longtime staffer as Texas’ next secretary of state
Kentucky gov calls legislature in session for pension vote
Adam Beam, Associated Press Updated 2:40 pm PST, Monday, December 17, 2018 Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin announces he has called the state legislature back in session to vote on the state's troubled pension system, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in Frankfort, Ky. The decision comes four days after the state Supreme Court struck down a pension law Bevin had signed earlier this year. less Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin announces he has called the state legislature back in session to vote on the state's troubled pension system, Monday, Dec. 17, 2018, in Frankfort, Ky. The decision comes four ... more Photo: Adam Beam, AP Photo: Adam Beam, AP Image 1 of / 1 Caption Close Image 1 of 1 Kentucky Republican Gov. Matt Bevin announces he has called the state legislature back in … [Read more...] about Kentucky gov calls legislature in session for pension vote
State parks projects under review due to delays, cost hikes
Paul Davenport, Associated Press Published 2:15 pm CST, Sunday, December 16, 2018 PHOENIX (AP) — Plans to expand and improve Arizona's state parks system are under review as key projects face delays and cost increases. The projects are drawing new scrutiny in the wake of complaints that led to the ouster of Arizona State Parks and Trails director Sue Black. The agency's current leadership is reviewing all projects to determine their viability and to ensure all permits and clearances are secured properly, interim director Ted Vogt wrote in a Nov. 30 report to a legislative oversight committee. The committee is scheduled to review the park projects Tuesday. Vogt was appointed to head the agency in November after Gov. Doug Ducey fired Black following numerous complaints, including ones by former staffers who said potential archaeological sites were bulldozed to rush development of rental cabins and other improvements. Only 25 of the 100 cabins planned for various … [Read more...] about State parks projects under review due to delays, cost hikes