Louisiana offers special tax breaks

As an investment lure, Louisiana is offering corporate and indivdual income tax credits of up to 35 percent to investors in local businesses and industry. It is the first state in the nation to pass such legislation. The law establishes so-called ''capital companies'' that must meet certain investment criteria. ''It is the intent of the act that capital companies . . . operate as businesses, not as government agencies,'' said Republican Gov. David C. Treen.

The bill is expected to make some $20 million of venture capital available in the first year of the program. The five-year goal is $100 million.