News | March 2017

One Acadiana, the area's overarching chamber of commerce, holds six priorities as the Louisiana Legislature's annual session approaches April 10.

But much of the discussion among One Acadiana stakeholders and area lawmakers Thursday settled where the rubber meets the road — on gasoline taxes to fund state highway improvements.

State Rep. Terry Landry, D-Lafayette, said there is "no choice" but to raise the state's 20-cent tax on a gallon of gas in order to meet the demands of a $13 billion backlog of needed state road projects. How much, no one could say.

Louisiana’s bridges and roads are in major need of repairs. One way to tackle that issue is taxing our gasoline. This something that will likely be a major focus on the upcoming legislative session.

“I think they’re high enough as it is.”

Some students at UL, like Will Arbuckle just don’t see the need for a tax on gas.

“I’m from Lafayette so the only place that I ever go is here.” says Arbuckle.

A new study shows Lafayette drivers pay an average of $2,024 per year because of roads that are deteriorated, congested or lack safety features.

The costs are because of increased operating costs, crashes and congestion-related delays.

The study was conducted by TRIP, a national transportation research group. Researchers also found Louisiana motorists spend $6.5 billion each year on increased costs because of poor road conditions.

It costs a lot to drive in Louisiana and that’s not because of a car note, insurance, or gas. According to a report done by TRIP, those who get behind the wheel in Acadiana are coughing up about two thousand dollars a year, on average. The statewide total is about 6.5 billion dollars yearly. Here’s what One Acadiana believes is the start of a solution to our state’s transportation dilemma.

Jumping behind the wheel of a car in cajun country is going to cost you.

The Lafayette Parish Public Education Stakeholders Council announced Monday its full support of a half-cent, 10-year sales tax proposal.

The tax would generate about $194 million to replace 248 temporary classrooms at 12 schools in the parish.

Education stakeholders in Lafayette Parish are endorsing the half-cent sales tax proposal to fund new permanent buildings on school campuses.

The tax will be on the April 29 ballot.

If passed, it would raise an estimated 194 million dollars for school upgrades around the parish.

"This is a major endorsement for our tax and we are very appreciative that LAPESC understands that one of the things we have to do is address facilities," said Dr. Donald Aguillard, Lafayette Parish School System Superintendent. "So we think this the right approach."

LAFAYETTE, La (KLFY) – More organizations are showing support for the half-cent sales tax measure proposed by the Lafayette Parish School System.

Just last week, the Broussard City Council passed a resolution in support of the school system’s proposed tax measure and now the Lafayette Public Education Stakeholders Council (LaPESC) is also showing their support.

“We are proud to support this initiative and we would ask that the voters of Lafayette consider supporting this initiative on April 29,” said LaPESC member, Anita Begnaud.

Great things are happening in schools across Acadiana. Eight of the nine public school districts in the nine-parish One Acadiana region saw improvements in the District Performance Score this past year. Vermilion Parish is now an "A" school district, and several other Acadiana districts are well on their way to "A" status, including the Lafayette Parish School System (LPSS).