A bill that would end state income tax in Louisiana goes before the House Ways & Means Committee today. Republican Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson says his HB 424 would phase out taxes collected on the income of persons, estates, and trusts. Nelson says Louisiana needs this if it wants to compete with neighboring states with NO income tax, like Florida, Texas, and Tennessee…:
Cut 4 (07) “…compared to Louisiana.”
Nelson says the revenue lost would be offset by lowering the homestead exemption on property taxes and eliminating a number of exemptions to the state sales tax.

A bill that will be debated on later in the session is a measure to make Insurance Commissioner an appointed position instead of elected. Gubernatorial candidate Hunter Lundy opposes the legislation…
cut 12 (11) “…the consumer”
Outgoing Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon also opposes the bill.

Shreveport Senator Barry Milligan has legislation that would establish the Center for Safe Schools within the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Milligan says the center can help schools develop plans to respond to active shooter situations, even during times when students are changing classes…
cut 14 (11) “….save lives”
Milligan says the Center for Safe Schools can also help assist schools and non-profits to apply for grants that can be used to increase security.

We’re less than four months away from qualifying for the statewide elections and only two statewide elected officials are running for re-election, Billy Nungesser and Mike Strain. ULM Political Science Professor Pearson Cross says the open statewide elected positions are drawing lots of candidates…
cut 9 (05) “…a position”
Multiple candidates are running for governor, attorney general, Secretary of State and State Treasurer.