Louisiana Senate Bill SCR42

Louisiana 2022 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/26/22
• Refer: 4/27/22
• Report Pass: 5/18/22
• Passed: 5/24/22
• Engrossed: 5/24/22
• Refer: 5/25/22

Caption

Suspends provision of law capping percentage of funds that can be spent by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on in-state advertising.

Impact

The suspension of this provision is viewed as a necessary measure to assist in the recovery of Louisiana's tourism industry. By increasing the outreach through in-state media advertising, the resolution aims to inform residents that local tourist venues, casinos, restaurants, hotels, and various establishments are open for business. This initiative is part of a broader strategy to rejuvenate the state's economy that heavily relies on tourism-related activities.

Summary

SCR42 is a Senate Concurrent Resolution that seeks to suspend the restrictions placed on the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism regarding its spending on in-state media advertisements. Specifically, it suspends the provision limiting the department to spending no more than ten percent of all funds allocated for media advertisement on in-state ads. This legislative action is prompted by the significant decline in tourism due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which severely impacted businesses and tax revenues related to the tourism sector in Louisiana, particularly in New Orleans.

Sentiment

The sentiment surrounding SCR42 is largely positive, with legislative discussions highlighting it as a vital step towards promoting local tourism and aiding businesses that were hit hard by the pandemic. The unanimous vote (93-0) in the House indicates a strong bipartisan effort to support the tourism sector's recovery, reflecting a collective agreement on the necessity of revitalizing economic activities through increased advertising.

Contention

While the bill seems to garner widespread support, there may be underlying concerns regarding budget allocation and prioritization of state funds. The decision to suspend the current cap on advertisement spending could raise questions about transparency and accountability in how taxpayer dollars are utilized in promoting local tourism. However, proponents assert that the benefits of stimulating the economy through increased visitor awareness and local spending outweigh potential objections.