Louisiana’s budget increased cumulatively less than the maximum rate of population growth plus inflation in state funds but more than pop+inf in all funds from 2016-25, meaning taxes are lower for state funds but higher for all funds than the average taxpayer can afford.

  • The 2025 state funds budget is $1.8 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the state funds budget grew slower than population growth plus inflation for the last ten years, the state spent $5.4 billion less than possible.
  • The 2025 all funds budget is $13.8 billion higher than it would have been had spending grown at the rate of population growth plus inflation over the past decade.
  • Because the all funds budget grew faster than population growth plus inflation over the past decade, the state spent $55.8 billion too much.

State Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 Only State Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 25.59
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 26.38
  • FY 2027 Only State Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.10%
  • Cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 4,544
  • Cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 399
  • Cumulative cost per person of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ (1,169)
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of only state funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ (4,676)

All Funds Budget Data

  • Estimated FY 2026 All Funds Budget ($ Billions): $ 49.74
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit ($ Billions): $ 51.29
  • FY 2027 All Funds Budget Limit Growth (%): 3.1%
  • Cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 6,820
  • Cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade in 2025 budget: $ 2,983
  • Cumulative cost per person of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 12,075
  • Cumulative cost per family of 4 of all funds budgeting more than pop+inf over the last decade from 2016-25: $ 48,298

Other Economic and Fiscal Considerations