The school board voted to reject Bollinger Algiers application for a 5 year property tax exemption under Louisiana's Industrial Tax Exemption Program. The board said they rejected the request because the application did not meet two of four rules for tax break approval by the board. The story was carried in a Times Picayune article of 10/14.
The school board did not have the power to review industrial tax exemptions until Governor Edwards changed the process. It was the right thing to do because before he acted other state boards could make the decisions that would cause school districts to lose out on taxes that support public education without having a say so in the matter. It should be obvious that local government should have a say so in tax matters that affect them.
Bollinger, like other business received a 14% federal tax break when Trump and the GOP lowered the corporate income tax rate from 35% to 21%. But the business community is never satisfied. They always want more from the states and the federal government. The Baton Rouge area is facing the same kind of tax relief filed by EXXON for the tax exemption. And all know EXXON is one of the largest corporations in the world and very profitable. The school district in that area should reject EXXONS request. Louisiana needs the tax revenue, EXXON does not need the exemption.
This commentary written by Joe Lorio
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