12:30 LRN Newscast

A couple of proposed major changes to Louisiana’s tax code died in the House Ways and Means Committee yesterday. The committee voted seven to four against New Orleans Democrat Mandie Landry’s proposal to raise the individual income tax on tax filers who make more than 500-thousand dollars a year. Landry made this argument to the committee…

Cut 15 (10) “…worried about.”

Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder says he’s not interested in raising taxes…

Cut 16 (05) “…work for.”

Also, a proposal to eliminate state and local sales taxes on groceries died when no one made a motion to vote on Oil City Republican Danny McCormick’s bill. One argument against the bill was that the proposed tax break would cost local governments 600 to 700-million dollars a year statewide. Again, no one made a motion to vote on the bill, so it is now dead.

The House Ways and Means Committee advanced a pair of bills aimed at lowering homeowners insurance premiums by strengthening the state’s fortified roof program. One of them is House Bill 145, proposed by Denham Springs Republican Roger Wilder 

Cut 6 (08) “…a fortified roof.”

Also, House Bill 663 would create the Fortify Coastal Homes Fund. It’s proposed by Pollock Republican Gabe Firment, who says it would direct a portion of sales and use taxes in coastal areas following a natural disaster to the fund.

Cut 8 (11) “…into the fund.”