A House bill to repeal a seven-year sales tax rate put in place last year is approved 12-5 in the House Appropriations Committee. Alexandria Representative Lance Harris’s bill looks to eliminate the point-45-percent state sales tax over four years. Despite government growth, Harris believes the money is better in the hands of the tax payers.
But the bill has seen opposition from the Edwards’ administration as the Governor’s Executive Counsel Matthew Block says prior to the tax rate change, a discussion needs to be had as to where to make cuts in the state’s spending to accommodate the change.
Cut 12 (11) “…discussion with you.”
It’s Early Childhood Education Day at the Capitol today and proponents want to see an increase of 31-million for the early child care assistance program. Louisiana Policy Institute for Children, Executive Director Melanie Bronfin has previously called for an immediate 80-million-dollar investment, with an additional 80 million over ten years to insure all children in Louisiana can have high quality early education.
A recent report from the United Health Foundation shows in the past six years, physical inactivity among those 65 and older has decreased by 18% in Louisiana. United Healthcare Chief Medical Officer Dr. Rhonda Randall says the study indicates that now only 31.5% of that older group in the state now say they are physically inactive.