Allain to detail statewide tax election proposal

State Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, will explain a tax election voters statewide will face this fall at the St. Mary Parish Chamber Legislative Wrap-Up Luncheon Wednesday at The Petroleum Club of Morgan City.
Voters will decide a constitutional amendment on Oct 9 that if passed, includes three bills that are expected to cut state tax collections about $30 million over the next five years.
“The amendment updates our tax policy to make it more equitable and balanced without hitting individual and corporate taxpayers where it hurts most: in their wallets; and it is revenue neutral, so the state would not gain any revenue,” Allain said.
However, he explained, it should catch the eye of business and industry developers who for years have selected other states for expansion because of Louisiana’s antiquated tax policies, some of which are buried in the state constitution.
“The Tax Foundation says Louisiana would climb in its rating of tax-friendly states if we clean up our tax policies,” Allain said.
Allain is chairman of the state Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. The original ideas for these proposals came from the committee’s work before and during the session.
Allain said whether the multiple pieces of the proposed tax revisions come together or not depends on voters this fall.
“If the brighter picture for Louis-iana becomes a reality depends on state residents,” he said. “If the amendment fails, everything goes down.”
The Chamber Luncheon will be held from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Tickets are $20 for chamber members and $25 for non-members.
Chamber President Donna Meyer said “space is limited so please call now to reserve a seat or a table.”
The chamber offices in Morgan City and Franklin are taking RSVP requests at 985-384-3830 or 337-828-5608, respectively.
Also during the luncheon, state Reps. Vinny St. Blanc, R-Franklin, and Beryl Amedée, R-Gray, will dish their successes during the past session.
St. Blanc is expected to detail his work with abandoned vehicles on private property, among other issues.