RSS Feed

The Louisiana House overwhelmingly advanced a state constitutional amendment proposal Thursday that fell four votes short of passage less than 24 hours before.
“This is one of the first steps in true, comprehensive tax reform that we have tried to do for decades,” Lafayette Republican Rep. Stuart Bishop said.
Bishop’s House Bill 274 calls for removing from the constitution references to existing individual income tax rates and the state’s income tax deduction for federal income taxes paid. The change would allow lawmakers to eliminate the tax break and change income tax rates.
House Bill 278, Bishop’s companion bill to the constitutional amendment that passed Wednesday, would eliminate the state income tax deduction for federal income taxes paid. Lawmakers and policy watchers consider the deduction bad policy in part because it ties Louisiana’s tax policy to the federal government’s. When the federal government cuts taxes, the state gets a windfall, but if federal taxes rise, state revenue falls.
In exchange for giving up the federal income tax deduction, taxpayers would get lower state income tax rates. Instead of three brackets charging a 2% tax rate on the first $12,500 of net income, 4% on the next $37,500 and 6% above $50,000, the rates would be 1.85%, 3.5% and 4.25%.
The Legislative Fiscal Office estimated the swap would increase taxes by a total of about $4.2 million per year, increasing state collections by that amount.
As amended Wednesday, the rates would be reduced further if revenue growth hits certain targets, similar to an approach taken in North Carolina. Voters would have to approve the constitutional amendment, which would be on the ballot in the fall of 2022.
The House sent HB 274 to the Senate with a 98-2 vote.
The House also voted 91-2 for Senate Bill 159 by Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin. It has similar goals to HB 274. The main difference is that it would set a maximum income tax rate of 4.75% in the state constitution that lawmakers would not be allowed to go above.
Rep. Robby Carter, D-Amite, said he preferred the wording in Bishop’s bill over Allain’s, arguing the latter would give voters the impression the federal income tax deduction would stay in place when lawmakers are planning to do the opposite. Bishop said all of the major tax bills will go to a conference between members of both chambers, so there will be a chance to work out the language.
“This bill has a long way to go and a short time to get there,” Bishop said of HB 274.
The session must end by 6 p.m. June 10.
The right-leaning Pelican Institute for Public Policy praised the passage of Bishop’s tax swap, including the amendment with the revenue triggers.
“By passing Chairman Bishop’s individual tax rate reform, Louisiana will become more competitive with our neighbors and encourage our friends and family to continue to call the bayou state home,” Pelican CEO Daniel Erspamer said in a prepared statement. “Louisiana’s tax code is a mess and now is the time to reform it.”
The left-leaning Louisiana Budget Project supports eliminating the federal income tax deduction but would rather lawmakers use the resulting revenue “to make investments in families to help end child poverty in Louisiana.”
“Instead, they chose to eliminate one tax break for the rich for another tax break for the rich,” the organization tweeted.

May 26, 1944 — May 21, 2021
Beverly Michel Vella, 76, a resident of Morgan City, passed away peacefully on Friday, May 21, 2021 at her home, surrounded by her loving family.
Beverly was born on May 26, 1944 in Morgan City, the daughter of Herman Michel and Mary Aucoin Michel.
Beverly was a faithful parishioner of Holy Cross Catholic Church where she was involved in the Ladies Altar Society, bible studies and Come Lord Jesus meetings. She enjoyed her yearly retreat trips with the ladies from the church. She had a long banking career, serving as a bookkeeper for Citizens Bank, First National and later Whitney Bank. She was a dedicated member of the St. Mary AARP going to meetings and helping out in any way that she could. When Beverly had time to relax, she enjoyed spending time with her family or reading a good book. She loved to be outside tending to her garden or inside knitting or quilting something special.
She will be sadly missed and lovingly remembered by her husband of 24 years, Paul Vella Jr. of Morgan City; one son, Michael Borel and wife Laurie of Morgan City; one granddaughter, Emily Borel; one great-granddaughter, Grace Jones; one sister, Barbara Robicheaux and husband Dale of Morgan City; two brothers, Jessie Michel and wife Gloria of Patterson and Jerry Michel Sr. and wife Barbara; two brothers-in-law, Carl Vella and wife Gracia of Lafayette and Kenneth Vella and wife Tracy of Texarkana, Texas; 10 nieces and nephews, Letitia Blanchard, Tori Grizzaffi and husband Matt, Luke Robicheaux and wife Alyssa, Grant Robicheaux and wife Emily, Blake Robicheaux, Ron Michel and wife Lina, Jerry Michel Jr. and wife Holly, Melissa Michel, Lucas Vella and wife Lindsay and Jennifer Stonicher and husband Wesley.
Beverly was preceded in death by her first husband, Randy Borel; her parents, Herman and Mary Aucoin Michel; one grandson, Kamen Brown; and father and mother-in-law, Paul Vella Sr. and Thelma “Marie” Vella.
The family would like to thank Lacey Breaux with Notre Dame Hospice for the loving care that she gave to Beverly.
A Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 12:30 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Holy Cross Catholic Church with Father Brice Higginbotham celebrating the Mass. A visitation will be held from 10:00 a.m. until 12:00 p.m. on Tuesday, May 25, 2021 at Twin City Funeral Home. Following Mass, Beverly will be laid to rest in the Morgan City Cemetery.
In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be given to the Alzheimer’s Association or Holy Cross Catholic Church.

Happy 87th birthday Arlene Frost (it really is this time), we love you, your four children … Happy birthday Shaquita and Gerald Sylvester, and Donald Valentine from family, friends and Ira.

(Editor’s note: The charges listed here and the narratives that go with them are provided by the police agencies that made the arrests. Guilt or innocence has not been determined in court.)

Local authorities accused three men of sex crimes late last week, including a Morgan City Police Department corrections employee who faces charges of soliciting and underage girl online and a Berwick man already arrested on a first-degree rape charge involving a juvenile.
A Bayou L’Ourse man also faces and rape and battery charges after an attack on an adult woman.

Morgan City
Police Chief James F. Blair reported this arrest:
—Devin J. Mayon, 21, was booked Wednesday afternoon on two counts of indecent behavior with juveniles, two counts of computer-aided solicitation of a minor and 10 counts of pornography involving juveniles.
No bond was immediately set pending a court hearing.
According to a Morgan City Police Department press release, detectives of the Morgan City Police Department, while conducting an unrelated investigation May 13, discovered information that indicated that Mayon may have had inappropriate contact through social media platforms with at least one girl under the age of 17.
Based on the information, investigators began a separate investigation that later confirmed their suspicions.
Mayon, who had been a correctional employee with the Morgan City Police Department since Jan. 11, was immediately placed on administrative leave while detectives conducted a thorough investigation, the Police Department said.
Based on evidence obtained through the investigation, Mayon was terminated from his employment.
Detectives determined that the evidence indicated that the internet contact, which had taken place during May 2021, was inappropriate and in violation of the law.
Detectives secured an arrest warrant for Mayon.
“Although it is disappointing to investigate a fellow employee,” Blair said, “the Morgan City Police Department and its employees are expected to be held to the highest standards the community should come to expect.
"There should be no distinction between officers and the general public it is sworn to protect.
"It is unfortunate that this former officer chose to make irresponsible decisions, but he must be held accountable.”
The investigation is continuing and should any additional evidence be revealed, additional charges may follow.

Berwick
Police Chief David Leonard reported this arrest:
—Ty Kapp, 20, Fifth Street, Berwick, was arrested at 4:13 p.m. Thursday on a Berwick Police Department warrant for four counts of pornography involving juveniles.
On Thursday, detectives continued their investigation into the matter involving Kapp. Throughout the course of this investigation, detectives uncovered child pornography that was in Kapp’s possession, leading to the issuance of an additional arrest warrant.
Kapp, who was being housed in the Berwick Jail, was processed on the warrant and remains in the Berwick Jail with no bond set. The investigation into this matter is ongoing. 
The original arrest resulted from a Tuesday of a rape that occurred in which the victim was a juvenile.
Detectives immediately launched an investigation into this incident and identified Kapp as the suspect.
Through investigation, detectives uncovered evidence that supported the information provided by the victim and an arrest warrant was prepared for Kapp’s arrest. At 3:17 p.m.Wednesday, detectives made contact with Kapp at the Berwick Police Department and placed him under arrest on the warrant.
He was booked into the Berwick Jail on a charge of first-degree rape with no bond set.
Due to the nature of the crime and the age of the victim, no further information will be released regarding this incident. This matter remains under investigation. 

Assumption
Sheriff Leland Falcon reported this arrest:
—Seth G. Savoie, 24, Honey Lane, Bayou L’Ourse, was arrested on charges of third-degree rape and sexual battery.
The arrest resulted from a sex crime investigation in Bayou L’Ourse.
On or about Monday, deputies initiated an investigation after receiving a complaint from an adult female alleging that she had been raped at an apartment on Honey Lane.
The victim identified her assailant as Savoie.
Detectives furthered the investigation and were able to corroborate the victim’s claims.
Savoie was arrested on similar allegations in January of 2021, when he was arrested on a charge of first-degree rape.
Savoie was released on a $200,000 commercial bond on those charges at that time.
At the conclusion of the current investigation, Savoie booked into the Assumption Parish Detention Facility and remains incarcerated with a bond set at $100,000.

St. Mary
Sheriff Blaise Smith advised that over the last 24-hour reporting period, the Sheriff’s Office responded to 29 complaints and made these arrests:
—Alarious Davon Oliney, 25, Morgan City, was arrested at 8:41 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of illegal possession of stolen things. No bail has been set.
—Bricelon Joseph, 22, New Iberia, was arrested at 1:55 p.m. Thursday on charges of no seat belt, reckless operation (no accident) and possession of drug paraphernalia.
Joseph was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Anthony Wells, 68, Franklin, was arrested at 7:04 p.m. Thursday on a charge of theft. Wells was released on a summons to appear Aug. 25.
—Marcus Shawn Robertson, 38, New Iberia, was arrested at 9:28 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of possession of cocaine.
No bail has been set.

Franklin
Police Chief Morris Beverly said his Police Department responded to nine complaints in the last 24-hour reporting period and made these arrests:
—Deazhone Baker, 27, Ninth Street, Franklin, while incarcerated at the Franklin Police Department at 3:46 p.m. Thursday on a charge of simple criminal damage to property.
Baker was additionally arrested on a warrant for probation violation.
Baker was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
—Marcus Robertson, 38, Christina Street, New Iberia, was arrested at 6:34 a.m. Friday on the charges of possession of methamphetamine and contraband into a penal facility.
Robertson was booked, processed and transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.

St. Martin
Sheriff Becket Breaux reported these arrests:
—Caprice Brown, 33. Tchopatoulis Street, New Orleans, was arrested Wednesday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on an extradition warrant.
—Mickey Leblanc, 34, David Road, St. Martinville, was arrested Wednesday on charges of resisting a police officer with force or violence, aggravated assault, theft valued at $1-$999, resisting an officer, criminal mischief (tampering with the property of another), battery of a correctional facility employee and simple criminal damage to property.
—Kendrell Mitchell, 19, West Jefferson Street, St. Martinville, was arrested Wednesday by the St. Martinville Police Department on charges of simple possession of marijuana, resisting an officer and tail lamps.
—Kayla Coleman, 26, Landry Street, Breaux Bridge, was arrested Thursday by the Breaux Bridge Police Department on a charge of obstruction of justice.
—Kaleb Thomas, 25, Tuscan Shores Drive, Missouri City, Texas, was arrested Thursday by the Louisiana State Police on charges of theft valued at $5,000-$24,999 and illegal possession of stolen things.