State of Louisiana Archives: on Tax Reform

John Bel Edwards: We can make tax reforms but they must be revenue neutral

Antoine Pierce: Tax cuts for poor & middle class

Top Policy Priorities:
• Support tax cuts for the poor and middle class
• Repeal Right to Work
• Preserve Unions
• Raise the minimum wage

Ralph Abraham: Taxes kill jobs and sales tax killed Louisiana's economy

Rep. ABRAHAM: This governor helped create the deficit. He voted for the majority of Governor Jindal's budgets. And we have the highest sales tax in the nation. We have lost jobs more than any other state in the nation. And it's due to taxes, taxes, taxes. I happen to have an op ed in my pocket. That was written by Gov. Edwards. And Governor, you said that raising the sales tax will kill the Louisiana economy. Congratulations, Governor, you killed it. It is because our taxes are too high.

Gov. EDWARDS: That's an absurd statement. The economy is the biggest it's ever been in our state. Personal income is the highest it's ever been. And unemployment is the lowest in 11 years. That's why we're running a surplus, because the economy is performing better.

Bill Cassidy: Co-sponsored tax simplification for Gold Star families

Eddie Rispone: Yes on historic federal tax cuts; no on raising state taxes

Abraham: Yes. Voted for Trump tax cuts. "Will lead to a more prosperous America for all."

Bel Edwards: Mixed. Supports Opportunity Zones Program. Amend penalties on privately held agriculture companies and taxes on families of fallen U.S. service members.

Eddie Rispone: Yes. "In 2017, Donald J. Trump implemented historic tax cuts that produced real results for the people of Louisiana."

Taxes: Support increased/decreased taxes on specific constituencies, like on the wealthy?

Abraham: No to "raising any taxes." Eliminate federal estate tax. Across-the-board state corporate tax decrease.

Bel Edwards: Unclear. Negotiated with legislature for sales tax increase to address state deficits. Limits on Louisiana's industrial tax break program.

Rispone: No on increasing. "We're not going to raise taxes." Change state constitution so tax hikes are voted on by the general public.

John Bel Edwards: Reform tax structure or face $1.3B fiscal cliff in 2018

Last year, you created a task force that spent months studying the most responsible way to reform our tax and budget structure. What we found from this review is that the options are no easier, or even substantially different, than the ones we have considered in the past. I fully support the task force's recommendations for structural tax reform. Many of the recommendations of the task force were the very same solutions I proposed last year. So now we have a choice. We can simply go down the same road we have travelled time and again--hoping for different results. Or we can chart a new path.

John Bel Edwards: Reduce sales tax; eliminate federal income tax deductibility

Clay Higgins: Eliminate the IRS; introduce 15% federal sales tax

What about exemptions? Yes, I would support exempting food and medicine from federal sales taxation. I would also support exempting a citizen who has been honorably discharged from the military [after 6 or more] years. I would also support an exemption for ALL of our once revered elderly. At some point in life --maybe 67 or 68--the nation could say "enjoy your golden years tax free."

Mike Johnson: Simpler, flatter and fairer tax code will spark new growth

Foster Campbell: Make sure the super-rich pay their fair share

A: No

Q: In order to balance the budget, do you support an income tax increase on any tax bracket?

A: No. I want a balanced plan that makes sure the super-rich pay their fair share, and that means we have to examine waste and fraud in both corporate give-aways and all spending programs.

Q: Do you support federal spending as a means of promoting economic growth?

A: Yes

Q: Do you support lowering taxes as a means of promoting economic growth?

A: Yes

Q: Do you support providing tax incentives to businesses for the purpose of job creation?

A: Yes. But these need more accountability and adequate oversight.

Thomas Clements: Flat rate tax with across-the-board reduction

A: Suggest a flat rate tax reduction across the board for individuals and businesses. Reduce regulations.

Bobby Jindal: Approved educational tax credit to offset tax increases

Analysis by The Baton Rouge Advocate: Passage of the SAVE fund was crucial because Jindal was virtually certain to veto the budget if the Legislature hadn't approved the measure. The SAVE plan will impose a fee of almost $1,600 per student that the students won't actually pay because the plan will create tax credits--phantom tax credits in the eyes of critics--that offset the fee. The tax credits allow Jindal to offset all of the tax measures approved by legislators.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-44-2, Vote #1102 on Jun/11/15; Passed Senate 30-9-0, Vote #1107 on Jun/11/15; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/19/15

John Bel Edwards: Opposed empty tax credit to offset tax increases

Analysis by The Baton Rouge Advocate: Passage of the SAVE fund was crucial because Jindal was virtually certain to veto the budget if the Legislature hadn't approved the measure. The SAVE plan will impose a fee of almost $1,600 per student that the students won't actually pay because the plan will create tax credits--phantom tax credits in the eyes of critics--that offset the fee. The tax credits allow Jindal to offset all of the tax measures approved by legislators.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-44-2, Vote #1102 on Jun/11/15; State Rep. John Bel Edwards voted NO; Passed Senate 30-9-0, Vote #1107 on Jun/11/15; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/19/15

Lance Harris: Approved educational tax credit to offset tax increases

Analysis by The Baton Rouge Advocate: Passage of the SAVE fund was crucial because Jindal was virtually certain to veto the budget if the Legislature hadn't approved the measure. The SAVE plan will impose a fee of almost $1,600 per student that the students won't actually pay because the plan will create tax credits--phantom tax credits in the eyes of critics--that offset the fee. The tax credits allow Jindal to offset all of the tax measures approved by legislators.

Legislative Outcome: Passed House 59-44-2, Vote #1102 on Jun/11/15; State Rep. Lance Harris voted YES; Passed Senate 30-9-0, Vote #1107 on Jun/11/15; Signed by Governor Bobby Jindal on Jun/19/15

Ralph Abraham: America has been taxed to the point of bankruptcy

Ralph Abraham: Tax code is outdated and it's leaking billions

Abraham said the tax code is a problem. "We've got to get rid of this tax code," he said. "It's overrated and it's outdated and it's leaking billions."

Charles Melancon: Tax increase on wealthiest taxpayers but not middle-class

Melancon said he supports extending the tax cuts for middle-income earners but allowing rates to increase on the wealthiest taxpayers. "Every one of us wants to extend the present tax rates... except one candidate, Charlie Melancon," Vitter said.

The candidates were less sure of themselves when asked for specifics on what federal spending they would seek to offset the tax cuts with corresponding cuts to spending. Vitter did not offer any suggestions for what he would cut, while Melancon suggested that Congress should take its cue from a government report that details which federal programs and agencies are "not giving bang for the buck."

David Vitter: Permanent extension of all Bush tax cuts

Melancon said he supports extending the tax cuts for middle-income earners but allowing rates to increase on the wealthiest taxpayers. "Every one of us wants to extend the present tax rates... except one candidate, Charlie Melancon," Vitter said.

The candidates were less sure of themselves when asked for specifics on what federal spending they would seek to offset the tax cuts with corresponding cuts to spending. Vitter did not offer any suggestions for what he would cut, while Melancon suggested that Congress should take its cue from a government report that details which federal programs and agencies are "not giving bang for the buck."

John Neely Kennedy: Cut taxes & stop deficit-spending, to fight economic crisis

The state treasurer didn’t mention Landrieu’s endorsement for Democratic presidential contender Barack Obama, an endorsement Kennedy has used to describe Landrieu as a “tax-and-spend liberal.”