The special legislative session ends tomorrow, and lawmakers are still trying to close a massive budget hole for this fiscal year, which could mean raising the state sales tax by more than a penny. But Baton Rouge Representative Ted James doesn’t think that’s a good idea. James says unfortunately there are House members who would rather pass taxes on the consumer and ignore reducing our corporate tax exemptions.
A state senate committee approved legislation that would remove some tax exemptions for businesses, and that measure now heads to the Senate floor. Louisiana Association of Business and Industry president Stephen Waguespack argues that businesses and taxpayers should share the burden and each take a “middle of the road” hit. But New Orleans Senator Troy Carter says LABI continues to push bills that lead to higher taxes on consumers but doesn’t result in businesses contributing to the higher tax burden.
Multiple flash flood watches are in effect as north and south Louisiana is expecting a huge amount of rain. CS Ross with the National Weather Service in Shreveport says we’ll see heavy downpours throughout the week.
Ross says Louisiana will experience some storms bringing in high winds and the chance of hail, along with tornadoes.
St. Joseph residents are pleading with the state government to get cleaner water. Garrett Boyte of St. Joseph says the water there has been yellow or murky brown for over a decade. Boyte and others from the town met with Governor John Bel Edwards and state legislators to discuss raising the standards for water in Louisiana.
CUT 7 (12) “secondary standard”
Boyte says manganese has been linked to adverse health effects, especially for infants, and it is found in St. Joseph’s water at alarmingly high amounts.