Zachary Louisiana Lodging

Resolved Question: Is BP's innovative employment solution plan the wave of the future?

During the Great Depression the jobless lived in tents, automobiles, hobo jungles and camps all over the US. But on the Gulf BP has a housing solution that just might prove useful for the next one: http://news.yahoo.com/s/yblog_upshot/20100721/bs_yblog_upshot/oil-cleanup-workers-protest-flotel-housing "One of the logistical difficulties in combating the Gulf oil disaster has been finding housing for the thousands of workers brought in by BP and its contractors to work on cleanup and containment operations. Many of the coastal communities, especially in oil-soaked Louisiana, are sparsely populated and don't have the ability to accommodate a sudden influx of people. Enter "flotels." "Many workers have been housed in floating hotel/motels — structures similar to trailers or shipping containers stacked on top of each other on a barge." Those pics would almost pass for old timey Mississippi riverboats. All it needs is cotton bales on the decks and negroes singing on the decks to add romance. Throw in a few gamblers and there's the makings for a great movie. But some workers aren't happy with it all: "I'm not living on no quarterboat," Dag said. "When I signed up, the agreement was we lived at a motel or somewhere they supplied us to live." Dag said that some workers have no choice but to accept lodging at a flotel because they've yet to be paid and have depleted whatever savings they had as a result. "We ain't been paid yet," Dag said. "We've used almost everything we got to live out here already. Forty days, we ain't seen nothing yet. What we supposed to do for money?" With ten million US citizens out of work losing their homes and empty shipping containers left over from Chinese products stacking up all over the US this might just provide a partial solution. Isn't BP great, cleaning up the Gulf of Mexico and finding ways to provide for the people they put out of work? Dave Bartley: Novel set of assertions you've offered up. I don't listen to talk radio so I hadn't had it explained to me that way. Thanks for the reply.

Voting Question: Does the "Certificate of Government Exemption from the Payment of Hotel Lodging Taxes" apply to parish taxes?

I work at a hotel in Louisiana. We have 3 taxes that apply to all rooms: 1) State, 2) Parish, and 3) Hotel / Motel. Our employer wants us to make sure we "only" exempt the guest from the taxes mentioned on the form. I usually only exempt from State taxes for this form because the beginning of the form states: "...for use by employees...in documenting eligibility for exemption from payment of state sales taxes on hotel lodging charges..." However, I am a bit confused about the very last statement on the form which states: "This form is not valid to document exemption from the payment of local room occupancy taxes." Does this mean it does not exempt them from Parish taxes or City taxes (we do not have city taxes but if I'm not mistaken I think some areas do), or both? The most recent guest that presented the form said it is suppose to apply to State and Parish but not the Hotel / Motel (we never exempt from the Hotel / Motel tax because it is more of a fee then a tax) So I'm not sure which is correct. I did not apply the parish tax since he said this, but I want to be sure before he checks out. I also do not want to get into trouble with my employer. For reference, this form can be found here >> http://www.lsus.edu/acctserv/documents/hoteltaxexempt.pdf Thanks for your help.

Resolved Question: Will 2 weeks be long enough for my road trip?

I'm planning a road trip across the US in June, and I need to know if 2 weeks is long enough for all of our destinations. I'll list our destinations in order... Leaving from: Connecticut 1. Baltimore, Maryland 2. New Orleans, Louisiana 3. Arizona (Grand Canyon) 4. Las Vegas, Nevada End: Huntington Beach, California and then of course, drive back. We mapped it out and it's approximately 3,500 miles there and the same coming back. There will be 4 of us, and 3 of us will be driving, and we don't plan to stay very long in any one place. Probably no more than one day at each destination, and bring camping supplies to avoid lodging costs. Can we get it done in 2 - 2 1/2 weeks? If not, how long would you recommend? Thanks! p.s. If you have any kind of input, I would be glad to take suggestions!

Resolved Question: Can anybody suggest accommodation near Louisiana State U. campus?

I will be visiting LSU in a couple weeks, to check out their law and business schools....I am looking for 2 nights of lodging as close to campus as possible, or preferably on the campus itself. Can anybody make a recommendation? Thanks!

Resolved Question: What are the guidelines for deducting moving expenses when you move out of state to take a new job?

I want to know if I can deduct fuel expenses, lodging for 2 nights, Budget moving van cost, temporary lodging expenses, etc..... since I moved to Louisiana from California to take a new job. We have since purchased a home here and plan to stay in Louisiana.

Resolved Question: Can anyone tell me what the Louisiana coast around Holly Beach is like for tourisim now? Spring 2008?

We may go there on vacation and Holly beach would just be a 1-2 day stop. Surely the kids can at least play on the beach? What about lodging and dining?

Resolved Question: Per Diem rate: Can I deduct the difference between what my employer paid me and the IRS allows?

2007 worked 8 months on out of state job in Kentucky. I rented apartment for that period and quite naturally kept my home in Louisiana. My employer paid me $59 per day. I seen where the IRS allows $70 for lodging and $39 for meals etc. Can I deduct the amount of $99 per day that the IRS allows as long as I report the $59 per day that my employer paid? I understand that it is 50% of meal allowance but I still come out ahead if I can deduct the full amount allowed. Thanks

Resolved Question: I'd love to go to England next summer...?

But I have no idea where to begin! This question is for those of you who live in or have recently been to England. I graduate college next May, and I would love to reward myself with a trip to England, I'm so ready to get out of Louisiana, and I'm part English heritage so I've always wanted to go. A friend of mine recently married and she and her husband (he's from England) moved back to Seaford, East Sussex, England. I'd possibly stay with them while there if I could. My question is mainly concerning where to stay if I choose not to stay in their house, how much money a full trip would cost (roundtrip flight, lodging, food, etc etc.), where to visit, how are the people in England, all of it! I'm so excited that it can actually happen, I just want first hand accounts from people who are there or have been there =] My friend has told me great things so far, I'm just wanting more details! **Random fact** I have a horrible liking for British guys, I think it's the accent...delicious. Indeed, in response to the answers so far, I intend to visit the amazing places shown in Pride & Prejudice (one of my favorite movies!) No one has fully answered my question so far, but they are great answers nonetheless. I know I can look all of those things up on my own, but I would like first hand accounts of pricing and such! It helps in my own planning!

Resolved Question: I am looking for luxury accommodations in Louisiana....?

I plan to visit Louisiana in early January. I want to make the most of my time there and would like to know where to stay (lodging, nightlife, the various personalities of each region, local laws and customs - you name it).

Resolved Question: what is the 511 system for the following states?

I am traveling, and would like to know how to get info via a cell phone, for interstate crashes, food, gas, and lodging stops, using the 511 system. I need the 'number' to dial for the following states, , south carolina, georgia, alabama, mississippi, louisiana, and texas. virginia and north carolina actually 'support' the 511 system, but the others do not. please, serious answers only, i am trying to be prepared for my trip.