Lawmakers will enter a special session after the regular session ends June 1st with 41 items on the menu for consideration. The budget highlights what will potentially be a busy month, but many of the proposals listed in the call are tax reforms, eliminations, or suspensions for businesses who’ve been hammered by the COVID shutdown.
Senate GOP Caucus Chairwoman Sharon Hewitt of Slidell says one big topic of conversation will be the potential elimination or suspension of the state’s corporate franchise tax.
The franchise tax is levied against a business’s total net worth and would cost the state an estimated 10 million dollars in lost revenue.
Hewitt adds the special session will also offer an added benefit for Republican lawmakers should Governor Edwards reject any key legislation from the regular session…
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That may be a possibility due to disagreements between Governor Edwards and the GOP on tort reform aimed at lowering auto insurance rates.
And with the regular session still in progress the Senate is set to debate a bill that would expand concealed handgun access in churches. Thibodaux Representative Bryan Fontenot’s legislation passed the House on a 72-24 vote
Louisiana law currently allows a concealed handgun in a house of worship, but the congregation must agree on who is allowed to carry concealed weapons.
Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley voted for the bill but raised concern that the legislation removes from existing law a requirement for an additional eight hours of tactical training