Louisiana's Republicans Want To Turn Back The Clock On Fiscal Responsibility

According to a report in the Times Picayune of 5/15/19 the republican controlled House Ways and Means Committee advanced a proposal to phase out the centerpiece 0.45% sales tax enacted last year to stabilize the budget process.  House republican leader Lance Harris wants to phase out the tax by mid 2023 according to the report which would cost the state a loss of over $400 million in state revenue.  The tax, when passed last year was mandated to expire in mid 2025.

Governor Edwards opposes rolling back the tax earlier saying it would upend a compromise that ended a decade of budget gaps.  Kimberly Robinson, State Revenue Secretary testified before the committee against the proposal and pointed out the state surpluses was due to better than expected corporate and personal income tax collections and not the sales tax.  It was noted that the 0.45% sales tax replaced the 1% sales tax that expired.  Lance Harris voted against the 0.45% sales tax.

Mr. Harris also said it might be time to give tax payers a little relief as justification.  Well, Mr. Harris and the republican controlled legislature could give the tax payers a lot more relief if they cut back the $8 billion in tax breaks to the business community they dole out each year  They actually had a chance to do that but they gave in to the business lobby.  Note:  That $8 billion represents over 20% of the state's budget.

The state has now had two straight years of balanced budgets under the leadership of governor Edwards.  Putting the states fiscal house in order will go a long way in moving Louisiana out of last place in almost everything and progress has already being made.  The republicans in congress have no record of baancing the federal budget since President Eisenhower in 1960 and the republican leadership in the state legislature now want the state to return to the days of former governor Bobby Jindal.  For some, things never change.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio

An American President In Name Only: A Tragic American Story

Donald Trump is President of the United States and a self proclaimed billionaire, so what is it about his need to lie to the American people about anything and everything?  The latest lie about China paying billions of dollars for Trump's tariffs when the American people are the ones paying the cost is a reflection of his lack of mental capacity to understand the role an American President plays in everyday life.  Lies roll off his lips without any consideration of the position he holds.

And to make matters worse he than has to ask congress to pass legislation that would pay farmers $15 billion for their losses because of his China tariffs.  That does not include the $12 billion congress approved for Trump's previous tariffs on China trade.  America has a President who feels he has to lie about even the day to day happenings.  The way he deals with people is not even close to what a normal person's life is like.  He respects no one because he is incapable of recognizing character and the truth.

And if one stops to think about the fact that President Trump still believes Putin when he says Russia did not interfere with the 2016 Presidential election after our own intelligence people and Robert Mueller's report detailed they did, every American should be frightened of what could come next.  Let there be no doubt, America has a President who is a serious threat to the nation's security, our way of life and our democracy.


This commentary written by Joe Lorio