Key takeaways
- Louisiana state government spent $43.3 billion in fiscal 2024, the 23rd most of any state.
- Statewide purchasing runs through the Office of State Procurement, and vendors register and find bids in LaPAC.
- The fiscal year starts July 1; the governor's FY2028 budget proposal usually comes 45 days before the April 12 session.
- The 2027 legislative session convenes April 12 and is scheduled to adjourn June 10.
Louisiana government at a glance
| Fact | Louisiana |
|---|---|
| State spending, FY 2024 | $43.3 billion (23rd of 50) |
| Fiscal year starts | July 1 |
| Next budget | FY2028 · proposal usually 45 days before the April 12 session |
| 2027 legislative session | April 12 to June 10 (60 days) |
| Central procurement office | Office of State Procurement |
| Bid and vendor portal | LaPAC |
| State CIO | Evelina Broussard, State Chief Information Officer |
| Local governments | 534 total, including 101 special districts and 69 school districts |
| Public power and co-op utilities | 21 public power utilities and 12 electric co-ops |
| State prison population | 28,186 (end of 2023) |
How Louisiana buys
- Central purchasing. The Office of State Procurement handles statewide contracts and purchasing rules for state agencies.
- Where bids are posted. LaPAC is where vendors register and find state solicitations.
- Registering as a vendor. Our Louisiana vendor registration guide walks through the steps, fees and documents.
- Agencies and local buyers. Many agencies, universities, cities, counties and school districts buy on their own or through cooperative contracts; see our cooperative purchasing guide.
Budget and legislative calendar
- Fiscal year. Louisiana's fiscal year starts July 1. The next budget covers FY2028.
- Governor's proposal. Usually released 45 days before the April 12 session. Status as of Nov. 8, 2026: not yet released. Track it in our governor budget proposals tracker.
- 2027 session. Convenes April 12 and is scheduled to adjourn June 10. Final adjournment no later than 6 p.m. June 10. See the 2027 legislative session calendar.
Technology and AI
- State CIO. Evelina Broussard, State Chief Information Officer, leads the Office of Technology Services. See the full state CIO directory.
- AI policy. Our tracker counts 2 executive orders, no laws and 1 agency policy on government AI use. See the state AI policy tracker.
- How IT buying works. See how state agencies buy technology.
Largest public buyers in Louisiana
The biggest Louisiana entities on our national rankings. Each one runs its own budget and, in most cases, its own purchasing.
| Buyer | Type | Size | National rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| New Orleans | City | 362,154 residents (2025) | 54 of 100 largest cities |
| Jefferson Parish | School district | 46,896 students (fall 2021) | 100 of 100 largest districts |
| Louis Armstrong New Orleans International | Airport | 6,221,146 passengers boarded (2025) | 39 of 100 busiest |
| Sewerage and Water Board of New Orleans (Carrollton) | Water utility | 334,903 people served | 103 of 208 largest |
| East Jefferson Waterworks District 1 | Water utility | 275,163 people served | 133 of 208 largest |
| Lafayette Utilities System | Public power utility | 72,343 electric customers (2024) | 45 of 50 largest |
| Calcasieu Parish Sheriff's Office | Sheriff's office | 927 sworn personnel (2016) | 13 of 50 largest |
Sources: KSG rankings of the largest cities, counties, school districts, public universities, transit agencies, airports, water utilities, public power utilities, police departments and other lists. Figures are from each list's source year.
Local government and utilities
- 534 local governments. That includes 101 special districts and 69 school districts. See special districts by state.
- Utilities. 21 public power utilities and 12 electric cooperatives serve 616,195 customers, 25% of the state. See Louisiana utilities.
- Budget cycles. Cities, counties and school districts set their own fiscal years; see city and county budget calendars.
Louisiana state holidays in 2027
Besides the 11 federal holidays, Louisiana state offices close on these days in 2027:
- Mardi Gras: Tuesday, Feb. 9 (Louisiana; Baldwin and Mobile counties in Alabama)
- Good Friday: Friday, March 26 (About a dozen states, including Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Indiana, Kentucky (half day), Louisiana, New Jersey, North Carolina, Tennessee and Texas)
See the full 2027 federal and state holiday calendar.
How KSG helps
Kensington Sales Group's SDRs book meetings with public agencies across Federal, SLED, K-12 & Higher Ed, Healthcare, Tribal, Special Districts and Utilities. We research Louisiana buyers, time outreach to state and local budget cycles and get you in front of the people who own the problem you solve. See how our state and local sales development works.
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