By Justin DiCharia
Task Force looks into state’s sales tax system for solutions
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE — The group given the responsibility of developing long-term budget and tax solutions to the state’s fiscal woes took up the state’s messy sales tax system Friday, struggling to figure out which economic demographic bears the heaviest burden.
It turns out Louisiana’s current sales tax system may not be as regressive as traditionally thought and the state’s efforts to level the playing field may hurt the lowest income bracket more than helping it.
@lalegis, you can Tweet that
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE — .@2016legis you won’t believe who is hashtagging the special session!! #pointoforder
As legislatures struggle with modernizing laws and making state operations more efficient and transparent in an effort to keep pace with changing times, they also have to figure out how to keep up with a changing constituency.
House Bill 2 passes House; dedicates $1.4B in cash lines from state
By Justin DiCharia
BATON ROUGE – House Bill 2, which is being debated in the second special session of the Louisiana Legislature, passed the House Thursday 90-8 and dedicates $1.4 billion in cash lines of state money to public construction projects throughout the state.
While it passed without the drama from the general session when the bill withered in the House during closing hours, a few legislators expressed dismay with the political misuse of the bill that coerces members to vote one way or the other.
Bill may give some oil and gas companies a break
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE — The House voted 60-38 to change the way multi-state corporations have to calculate their corporate income tax. The bill was amended by a 71-21 vote to give the biggest oil companies in the state a different method than other companies.
Rep. Gene Reynolds, D-Minden, gave a “layman’s explanation” of the corporate income tax apportionment, due to its complex nature, by explaining it was a method by which companies that do business in multiple states determine how much in taxes is owed to the Louisiana Department of Revenue.
HOUSE PANEL VOTES DOWN KEY EDWARDS REVENUE PACKAGE IN 10-9 VOTE
By Samuel Carter Karlin
BATON ROUGE — Louisiana lawmakers voted to kill a key part of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ revenue-raising package Wednesday, throwing a wrench in his plan to close the state’s $600 million budget deficit. Continue reading “HOUSE PANEL VOTES DOWN KEY EDWARDS REVENUE PACKAGE IN 10-9 VOTE”
Legislature committee approves Anders bill
By Samuel Carter Karlin
BATON ROUGE — A House panel approved more than $180 million in tax increases Tuesday, getting a start on plugging an estimated $600 million budget shortfall during the year’s second special session, which ends June 23.
The biggest move was a tax on health maintenance organizations, by Rep. Andy Anders, D-Clayton, that would raise more than $150 million this year. House Bill 35 passed unanimously.
Legislature passes bill requiring aborted fetuses be buried or cremated
By Jack Richards
BATON ROUGE, La. — The House and Senate gave the final nod to a bill requiring aborted fetuses be buried or cremated – arranged and potentially paid for by the performing physician – and furthered the state’s stance against the transport and sale of post-abortion fetal organs.
Legislators considering changes made to state’s tax codes
By Samuel Carter Karlin
BATON ROUGE — Legislators Tuesday began working on addressing changes to the state’s tax code during the first special session. Among those items under reconsideration are Girl Scout cookies and garage sales.
House stalls on bill to fund state, local construction projects
By Justin DiCharia
BATON ROUGE — House Bill 2, arguably the second most important measure in front of the Louisiana Legislature during its regular session, funds state and local construction projects. The $1.4 billion dollar spending measure covers such things as the Lafayette airport, I-49 in Shreveport and downtown developments in Monroe.
LSU Manship School Statehouse Bureau 