There’s a discussion among some Republican lawmakers about eliminating the state income tax as a way to attract more businesses and grow the state’s population. Jim Shannon has more…
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A spokesperson for former Governor Edwin Edwards says physicians say his condition is improving. Brooke Thorington has more.
cut 2 (31) … I’m Brooke Thorington.”
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Some Republican state legislators are discussing whether the state should eliminate the state income tax. Shreveport Representative Thomas Pressly and Mandeville Representative Richard Nelson plan to propose legislation next year. Nelson says repealing personal and corporate income taxes would boost the state’s economy
Cut 3 (08) “…practical solution”
Nelson says to make up for the loss of tax revenue, he proposes giving parishes more flexibility to raise property taxes.
Nelson says there are some who will not like paying higher property taxes, but under his proposal, parishes would not have to fight for state dollars in order to fund local projects, because they would receive more revenue from higher property taxes. And he says you would not pay state income taxes
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Tomorrow and Saturday Louisiana consumers will not have to pay state sales taxes on most purchases as a sales tax holiday will be in effect. Louisiana Department of Revenue spokesperson Byron Henderson says the legislation passed in the last special session exempts the first 25-hundred dollars of most purchases from Louisiana’s 4.45-percent state sales tax…
But the holiday does not cover vehicle purchases or meals.
The Legislative Fiscal Office estimates a four-point-five million dollar revenue loss as a result of the two-day sales tax holiday. It’s the first sales tax holiday in Louisiana in two years as they were suspended to help the state get out of a budget hole. But Henderson says legislators brought it back because it’s been a trying year
Cut 8 (08) “..public health emergency”
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Drugmaker Pfizer reportedly plans to file as early as tomorrow for emergency use with the FDA for their COVID-19 vaccine. Governor John Bel Edwards says he’s 100-percent confident once vaccines are FDA approved, they are safe for use.
The governor is optimistic that the state will begin to receive an allotment before the end of the year and when the vaccine is available, he highly encourages residents to be vaccinated, however…
After first responders and the more vulnerable population, Edwards anticipates the general public will receive the COVID vaccination in the same manner we currently receive flu shots, at health clinics and pharmacies, however, Pfizers’ vaccine is two injections three weeks apart and Moderna is two injections 28 days apart.
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A family spokesperson for Edwin Edwards says the former four term-Governor appears to be improving but remains hospitalized with double pneumonia. Edwards’ biographer Leo Honeycutt says despite Edwards’ age of 93 and diagnosis he’s doing well.
Last Friday Edwards was admitted to Our Lady of the Lake in Baton Rouge, tested for COVID and pneumonia, both negative then released Sunday. Honeycutt says then again on Tuesday night, Edwards was admitted, this time to Ochsner in the capital city and diagnosed with pneumonia in both lungs.
Cut 13 (12) “…double pneumonia”
Honeycutt says Edwards is expected to stay in the hospital into the weekend.