Louisiana Senate Bill SCR4

Louisiana 2021 Regular Session

• Introduced: 4/1/21
• Refer: 4/1/21
• Refer: 4/12/21
• Report Pass: 4/26/21
• Passed: 4/29/21
• Engrossed: 4/29/21
• Refer: 5/3/21
• Report Pass: 5/17/21

Caption

Suspends provision of law capping amount of revenue which can be spent by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism on in-state advertising. (EN NO IMPACT GF EX See Note)

Impact

If enacted, SCR4 would temporarily lift the cap on spending for in-state media advertisements. This change is designed to enable the Department to invest more in promoting Louisiana's tourism sector, which has faced challenges due to decreased visitor numbers and subsequent tax revenue declines. The resolution aims to facilitate higher visibility for local tourist venues, casinos, and hospitality businesses to inform Louisiana residents that these establishments are resuming operations.

Summary

Senate Concurrent Resolution No. 4 (SCR4) suspends the statutory limit on in-state media advertisement spending by the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism in Louisiana. The resolution emerges as a response to the significant decline in tourism, primarily due to the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic. With a drastic reduction in visitors to tourist destinations, including the city of New Orleans, the resolution aims to allow for increased advertising to promote the reopening of local businesses and attractions, thereby helping to stimulate economic recovery through tourism.

Sentiment

The overall sentiment surrounding SCR4 appears predominantly positive, particularly among lawmakers and stakeholders invested in the state's tourism industry. Supporters believe that lifting the advertising cap will play a crucial role in revitalizing an essential sector of the state’s economy. However, the lack of documented opposition suggests a general consensus on the need for the resolution amidst the tourism industry's desperate circumstance, though specifics on dissenting views were not highlighted in the available records.

Contention

While SCR4 itself does not appear to have garnered significant public contestation, implications of increasing advertising funds may raise future budgetary considerations. For critics concerned about government spending, the notion of unrestricted financial support for advertising initiated by the tourism department could initiate debates about prioritization of state funding. Nonetheless, the immediate focus remains on supporting the recovery of the tourism sector during a challenging post-pandemic environment.