Louisiana lieutenant governor touts tourism gains, details parks recovery and statewide litter push

Abigail Chasen of the House Fiscal Division presented the executive budget recommendation for the Office of the Lieutenant Governor and the Department of Culture, Recreation and Tourism, saying the lieutenant governor's office is recommended at about $10.6 million for fiscal 2026 and the department at about $135.2 million.

The presentation matters because the agencies oversee tourism promotion, the state park system and Volunteer Louisiana programs that deliver services and drive visitor spending statewide.

Lieutenant Governor (first reference as "Lieutenant Governor") summarized tourism and parks results and initiatives, saying "we are the fifth biggest industry in Louisiana" and that tourism returns roughly 45-to-1 on the state's investment. He credited marketing and new international efforts for recent gains and told lawmakers the office canceled a contract with Macy's parade after finding it did not deliver promised airtime.

On state parks, the lieutenant governor said parks had been at risk of closure but now approach two million annual visitors after private-public partnerships and in-house maintenance work; he said…