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Legislature considers long list of amendments

Louisiana’s constitution has been amended more than 300 times since it was adopted in 1974, so it’s no surprise state legislators have proposed close to two dozen amendments to be considered at this year’s session, which begins March 9.
This year’s session is non-fiscal, meaning lawmakers cannot raise state taxes. However, several potential amendments related to taxes and government spending have been proposed.
House Bill 206 by Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, a Metairie Republican, would allow local governments with voter approval to more than triple the value of the state’s homestead exemption in their areas.
Louisiana exempts from property taxes the first $75,000 of a home’s market value, or the first $7,500 of assessed value. If you own your primary residence and it is worth $75,000 or less, you pay no property taxes on that home.
Hilferty’s bill would allow voters to raise the exemption as high as $25,000 of the assessed value. It would require an increase in the property tax rate proportionate to the exemption increase to ensure the same amount of revenue to taxing authorities.
Under Senate Bill 207 by Sen. Gary Smith, D-Norco, taxing bodies would be able to raise property tax rates more than is allowed now following reassessment or a change in the homestead exemption. Today, millages are adjusted automatically so that taxing authorities collect the same amount.
However, the current constitution allows for a millage increase up to the prior year’s maximum without a public vote if at least two-thirds of a taxing authority’s governing board agree to do so. Smith’s proposal would let taxing authorities increase the rate up to any previous maximum authorized millage rate.
Senate Bill 187 by Sen. Bodi White, R-Baton Rouge, would give the legislature some authority over the state’s controversial property tax exemption for manufacturers, which is currently controlled by the governor and the state Board of Commerce and Industry.
Gov. John Bel Edwards recently gave local governments that would give up tax dollars under the program a say in which companies get the exemption, which critics say has made the program confusing, unpredictable and less useful to companies considering investing in Louisiana. White’s bill would allow the legislature to establish uniform procedures for the program by law.
Senate Bill 141 by Sen. Rick Ward, R-Baton Rouge, would increase the amount of severance tax money derived from natural resource extraction that would go back to parishes where the production occurred. Parishes would be required to dedicate new dollars to transportation, such as upgrading local roads and bridges.
House Bill 20 by Rep. Rodney Schamerhorn, R-Hornbeck, would ban the use of public funds to pay for retirement and health benefits of elected officials who are elected next year or later.
Friday is the deadline to pre-file bills for the legislative session that begins March 9. Legislators can file up to five bills each during the session.

Celtic Angels will perform here March 17

The Celtic Angels will perform March 17 as part of the Morgan City Live Community Concert Association series.
The concert will be at 7 p.m. at Morgan City Municipal Auditorium. Admission is $25 for adults and $5 for K-12 students. Anyone who buys a season ticket for the 2020-21 season will be admitted free, and anyone who wears green will be included in a drawing for 2020-21 tickets.
All tickets, subscription or single concert, are available online at www.morgancitylive.com or at the door.
The Celtic Angels are Victoria Kenny, Emily Carroll, Tammy Browne, Amy Penston and Ellie Mullane. The Celtic Knight Dancers, featuring Patrick O’Mahoney of “Riverdance,” perform with athletic precision in routines that leave audiences breathless, according to promotional material for the groups.
The Trinity Band Ensemble of Dublin round out the show with interpretations of authentic “Irish Trad” instrumentals.
Morgan City Live Community Concert Association of Morgan City, Inc., formed in 1947, continues to bring world-class entertainment to the tri-city area of Morgan City, Berwick and Patterson as well as the rest of St. Mary Parish and surrounding parishes.
A partnership with the St. Mary Council on Aging offers free transportation to and from concerts for seniors 60 and over who live in St. Mary Parish. Please call 985-384-3324 to arrange your ride at least 24 hours prior to the concert.

From the Editor: Registration deadline for presidential primary is Wednesday

If you’re not registered to vote, you still have time to take part in Louisiana’s presidential primary April 4. The last day to register in person in time for the Democratic and Republican primaries is Wednesday. If you use the geauxvote app, you have until March 14. Republican President Donald Trump hasn’t attracted serious opposition in the GOP primaries so far. The Democratic field is tightening after former Vice President Joe Biden’s win Saturday in South Carolina. The field is growing smaller, too, after South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg and billionaire Tom Steyer bowed out following South Carolina. More winnowing is likely ...

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IRS offers 'Where's My Refund?' app

The Internal Revenue Service says the best way to check on their tax refund is by using the “Where’s My Refund?” tool at IRS.gov or through the IRS2Go Mobile app.
As of Feb. 21, the IRS had already issued more than 37.4 million refunds averaging $3,125.
While the majority of tax refunds are issued within 21 days, some may take longer. Just as each tax return is unique and individual, so is each taxpayer’s refund. There are a few things taxpayers should keep in mind if they are waiting on their refund but hear or see on social media that other taxpayers have already received theirs.
The IRS works hard to issue refunds as quickly as possible, but some tax returns take longer to process than others. Many different factors can affect the timing of your refund after we receive your return. Also, remember to take into consideration the time it takes for your financial institution to post the refund to your account or for you to receive it by mail.
There are several reasons a tax refund may take longer:
—Some tax returns require additional review.
—The return may include errors or be incomplete.
—The return could be affected by identity theft or fraud.
—The return includes a claim for the Earned Income Tax Credit or Additional Child Tax Credit.
—The time between the IRS issuing the refund and the bank posting it to an account since many banks do not process payments on weekends or holidays.
The IRS will contact taxpayers by mail if more information is needed to process a return.
Taxpayers can use “Where’s My Refund?” to start checking on the status of their return within 24 hours after the IRS acknowledges receipt of an electronically filed return or four weeks after the taxpayer mails a paper return.
Some taxpayers mistakenly believe they can expedite their refund by ordering a tax transcript, calling the IRS or calling their tax preparer. Ordering a tax transcript will not help a taxpayer get their refund faster or find out when they’ll get their refund. The information available on “Where’s My Refund?” is the same information available to IRS telephone assistors.
Filing electronically and using direct deposit is the fastest and safest way to file an accurate return and receive a tax refund. More than four out of five tax returns are expected to be filed electronically, with a similar proportion of refunds issued through direct deposit.
Most taxpayers who want to prepare their own returns can file electronically for free with IRS Free File. Alternatively taxpayers who qualify can get free tax help from trained volunteers at community sites around the country.
Taxpayers can use several options to help find a paid tax preparer. One resource is Choosing a Tax Professional, which includes a list of consumer tips for selecting a tax professional.
The Directory of Federal Tax Return Preparers with Credentials and Select Qualifications is a free searchable and sortable database. It includes the name, city, state and zip code of credentialed return preparers who are CPAs, enrolled agents or attorneys, as well as those who have completed the requirements for the IRS Annual Filing Season Program. A search of the database can help taxpayers verify credentials and qualifications of tax professionals.
Taxpayers can find answers to questions, forms and instructions and easy-to-use tools online at IRS.gov anytime. No appointment required and no waiting on hold.

BEARS introduces kids to Morse, old-style phones

Again this year, the Bayouland Emergency Amateur Radio Service operated a special event station to publicize both Eagle Expo and the Water and Nature Expo.
Although radio contacts are the main reason for working this event, it is a special treat for youngsters who visit the booth. They learn about Morse code and actually get to tap out code on a code key, then play with a can and string phone as kids did many years ago.
Bag phones, the forerunner to cell phones are on display and the most fun thing is to ask one of the young participants to pick up the handset of a dial telephone and call their house number.
BEARS is always happy to help a local event and set up a complete ham radio station
for the public to see and to tell everyone who is contacted a little bit about Morgan City and St. Mary Parish.
The next event will be in April with the combination 200th anniversary of Franklin, the Bayou Teche Black Bear Festival and the Wooden Boat show.

WILLIAM 'JIMMY' JAMES FRY SR.

June 29, 1936 — February 27, 2020
William “Jimmy” James Fry Sr., 83, a resident of Morgan City, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, February 27, 2020, in his home.
William was born on June 29, 1936 in Counce, Tennessee, to William Lester Fry and Evelyn Warren Fry.
He will be lovingly remembered and sadly missed by his wife, Iris Crappell Fry of Morgan City; six children: Cyrilla Fry of Morgan City, William “Jim” Fry Jr. and wife Lisa of Berwick, Glenda LaGreca and husband Chuck of Schriever, Shelby Theriot and husband Jason of Berwick, Evelyn Ortiz and husband Mike of Patterson, and Connie Torres and husband Tony of Michigan; 15 grandchildren; 10 great-grandchildren; and four sisters, Shelby Graham, Betty Nichols, Glynda Holmes and Anita Fry.
William was preceded in death by his parents, William and Evelyn Fry.
There were a handful of things you could find Jimmy doing on any given day — all of which revolved around his family. From going to a ball game for his grandchildren; attending a school Veterans’ Day program or Grandparents Day function; singing nursery rhymes and songs to every baby in the family; working outside in the garden with his love, Iris; inquiring about everyone’s current life, job, or school event; and faithfully being there for his children whenever they needed him, scenarios like these were what brought him the most joy and fulfillment. You could find Jimmy there with his Dr. Pepper and Red Seal chewing tobacco in tow, while wearing his welding cap, plaid shirt, well-worn jeans, and Sperry Top-Sider shoes. Of all the accomplishments and seemingly tall tales you may hear him talking about, his wife, children, grand- and great-grandchildren were the biggest and truest successes he was most proud of. On the rare occasion he wasn’t with his family, Jimmy enjoyed a good Western, reading his Bible or Louis L’Amour, or listening to zydeco. Jimmy lived an honorable, loving, redeemed, and full life. He fought the good fight and finished his race well.
Memorial services will be held at 2 p.m. on Tuesday, March 3, 2020, at Thibodaux First Assembly Church with a memorial visitation being held from 12:00 p.m. until the time of the service.

Reading millionaires

Submitted Photo
Central Catholic Elementary School has announced that two of its fourth grade students, Elizabeth Patterson and Ava Gros, have read 1 million words so far during this 2019-2020 school year. After reading each book, the students are tested through the Accelerated Reader Program on classroom or library computers, verifying their accomplishment.

Sheriff: K9 Buddy tracked man who fled; 2 arrests

Staff Report
Officers on patrol recognized a Morgan City man with an active warrant and when they approached him he fled. But K9 Buddy tracked him to a residence in Bayou Vista, where drugs were found and two arrests were made, St. Mary Parish Sheriff Blaise Smith said in a news release.
—Stephan Edward Taylor, 36, of Teche Road in Bayou Vista, was arrested at 12:37 p.m. Thursday on a charge of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine), violation of controlled dangerous substance law drug-free zone, possession of controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a juvenile and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Dedrick Gant, 34, of Willard Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 10:07 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) with intent to distribute, second or subsequent offenses, violation of a controlled dangerous substance law (drug-free zone), four counts possession of a controlled dangerous substance in the presence of a minor, two counts resisting a police officer with violence or force, two counts battery on a police officer and on a warrant for failure to appear on the charge of criminal neglect of family.
A deputy was patrolling the area of Anthony Street in Bayou Vista when he observed Gant, who he knew held an active warrant, walking near the intersection of Anthony and Arlington roads. The deputy made contact with Gant and advised him of the active warrant. Gant fled on foot from the deputy. K9 Buddy tracked Gant to the 400 block of Teche Road, where deputies located Gant at a residence.
During the attempt to take Gant into custody, Gant resisted the deputies with force, the sheriff said.
During the investigation, drugs belonging to Gant and the tenant of the residence, Taylor, were located.
Gant and Taylor were transported to the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and jailed.
Bail for Gant was set at $202,760.00. Bail for Taylor was set at $5,000.
Smith also advised that the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office responded to 22 complaints and the following arrests were made:
—James Louis Simon, 27, of Squirrel Run in New Iberia, was arrested at 3:16 p.m. Thursday on charges of speeding, possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia. Simon was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
—Carlos Wayne Joseph, 29, of Big Four Corners Road in Jeanerette, was arrested at 10:32 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of operating a vehicle while license is suspended and stop signs. Joseph was released on a summons to appear on May 18.
Morgan City Police Chief James F. Blair reported that the Morgan City Police Department responded to 51 calls of service and the following arrests were made:
—Tra Acosta, 23, of Railroad Avenue in Morgan City, was arrested at 8:34 a.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear to pay a fine for the charge of hit and run and a warrant for failure to appear to pay the fine for the charge of window tint violation.
Acosta was located at his residence by officers who knew of a warrant for his arrest. He was jailed.
—Melody Wolf, 45, of Caliente Street in Norfolk, Virginia, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Thursday on charges of improper turning, first offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Carlos Rodriguez, 24, of Flaxman Street in Pensacola, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Thursday on charges of possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine) less than 2 grams, first offense possession of marijuana and possession of drug paraphernalia.
—Gregory Kallam Jr., 37, of Caliente Street in Norfolk, VA, was arrested at 9:45 a.m. Thursday on a charge of first offense possession of marijuana.
An officer observed a vehicle perform an illegal turn near Federal and Brashear avenues.
The officer stopped the driver who was identified as Wolf and spoke with her about the traffic violation.
While speaking with her the officer could smell a strong odor of suspected marijuana coming from the vehicle. The officer then contacted the other passengers and spoke with them.
The officer located suspected marijuana and drug paraphernalia in the vehicle. Rodriguez was also found to be in possession of methamphetamine. All three subjects were jailed.
—Elton Pinn, 36, of St. Claire Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:05 a.m. Thursday on a warrant. Pinn was located in City Court of Morgan City and placed under arrest on a warrant from the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office. He was jailed.
—Gerald Ruffin, 37, of Bush Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 11:28 a.m. on a warrant. Ruffin was arrested at St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center and transported to Morgan City Police Department where he was jailed for an outstanding Morgan City Court warrant.
—Jewel Ross, 35, of North Veret Street in Amelia, was arrested at 3:10 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for the City Court of Morgan City for contempt of court. She was jailed.
—Joseph Acosta, 27, of Grove Street in Morgan City, was arrested at 7:51 p.m. Thursday on a warrant for failure to appear on the charges of theft. Acosta was located in a vehicle after the driver was stopped in the area of Sixth Street.
The officer knew of a warrant for Acosta from the 16th Judicial District Court and he was jailed.
Chitamacha Tribal Police Chief Hal Hutchinson reported the following arrest:
—Brandy Martin, 45, of Chitimacha Trail in Charenton, was arrested for three active warrants for the St. Mary Parish Sheriff’s Office.
The warrants are for failure to appear for arraignment for the charges of failure to maintain automobile liability insurance and expired motor vehicle inspection, failure to appear for arraignment for the charges of failure to maintain automobile liability insurance and failure to yield at an intersection when turning left, and a warrant for possession of a Schedule II controlled dangerous substance (methamphetamine). She was jailed at the St. Mary Parish Law Enforcement Center.
Patterson Police Chief Garrett Grogan reported no arrests.
Berwick Police Chief David Leonard Sr. reported no arrests.

Morgan City police radio logs for Feb. 27-28

The following are the radio dispatch logs from the Morgan City Police Department. To report unlawful or suspicious activity, call the police department at 985-380-4605.
Thursday, Feb. 27
5:24 a.m. 1000 block of Fourth Street; Suspicious subject.
7:49 a.m. 800 block of Federal Avenue; Theft.
8:26 a.m. 5000 block of Railroad Avenue; Warrant.
10:58 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Warrant.
11 a.m. 9400 block of Frontage Street; Warrant.
11:22 a.m. 1100 block of Dora Street; Suspicious subject.
11:29 a.m. 700 block of Myrtle Street; Complaint.
12:19 p.m. 1100 block of Victor II Boulevard; Accident.
1:51 p.m. 900 block of Youngs Road; Hang up call.
2:27 p.m. 6400 block of La. 182; Alarm.
2:27 p.m. 10000 block of Brashear Avenue; Complaint.
2:48 p.m. 2400 block of Apple Street; Stand by.
3:06 p.m. 800 block of Sixth Street; Medical emergency.
3:14 p.m. 700 block of Onstead Street; Theft.
3:19 p.m. 1400 block of Second Street; Complaint.
3:30 p.m. 900 block of Seventh Street; Complaint.
3:55 p.m. Onstead Street and Federal Avenue; Lost/found property.
6:03 p.m. 1100 block of McDermott Drive; Custody issue.
6:50 p.m. 500 block of Brashear Avenue; Removal of subject.
7:19 p.m. 400 block of Belanger Street; Medical.
7:54 p.m. 1600 block of Willowbend Drive; Medical.
9:02 p.m. 1100 block of Chester Bowles Street; Complaint.
9:20 p.m. 6300 block of La. 182; Removal of subject.
9:34 p.m. Fire Department Central Station; Animal.
10:45 p.m. Second and Union streets; Complaint.
11:21 p.m. 1000 block of La. 70; Alarm.
11:30 p.m. Fifth and Louisiana streets; Loud music.
Friday, Feb. 28
3:38 a.m. 700 block of Maine Street; Complaint.
4:17 a.m. Morgan City Police Department; Suspicious person.

State might crack down on incorrect classification of workers

Growth in Louisiana’s unemployment trust fund could lower the tax bills of state employers, though many businesses are not paying their share, officials said Friday.
Many companies avoid paying into the fund by classifying employees as temporary contractors, which gives those businesses an unfair competitive advantage and makes employers who follow the law shoulder more of the unemployment fund costs, said Ava Dejoie, secretary of the Louisiana Workforce Commission.
Employers support the trust fund with taxes on the first $7,700 of each employee’s pay. When the fund reaches $1.15 billion, the taxable wage base falls to $7,000 and unemployment benefits increase. When it hits $1.25 billion, funding for a state program employers can use for worker training increases from $20 million to $35 million, Dejoie said.
While the fund is expected to hit both of those benchmarks over the next 18 months or so, she said, misclassification hurts that progress. The practice also allows companies to reduce their labor costs so they can outbid employers that play by the rules, Dejoie added.
“When you have all of these people who are not paying in, you have a higher tax base for employers who are doing the right thing,” said Louis Reine, president of the Louisiana AFL-CIO, which represents union workers.
The United States Treasury Department estimated in 2013 that preventing worker misclassification would generate $8.32 billion in federal revenue over 10 years. The Louisiana legislative auditor has said misclassification cost Louisiana at least $9 million from 2014 through 2018, though the actual number could be much higher. Over the past two years, the Workforce Commission conducted 19 audits that identified 1,100 misclassified workers and $18.5 million in unreported wages, officials said.
The LWC does not get state tax dollars to support its enforcement efforts. Dejoie said additional funds to hire more auditors and a full-time attorney or two would help.
Louisiana also is the only state in the nation that requires employers who break classification rules to get a warning on their first offense. The penalties, which start at $250 per employee per day, are not as severe as other states, officials said.
State Sen. Troy Carter, who chairs the committee focused on labor and industrial relations, has proposed a bill for the upcoming session that would eliminate the first-offense warning letter and stiffen penalties for employers who “knowingly and willingly” violate classification laws.
Carter said better enforcement would “level the playing field” for employers while paying for itself by allowing the LWC to collect more fines and interest.

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ST. MARY NOW

Franklin Banner-Tribune
P.O. Box 566, Franklin, LA 70538
Phone: 337-828-3706
Fax: 337-828-2874

Morgan City Review
1014 Front Street, Morgan City, LA 70380
Phone: 985-384-8370
Fax: 985-384-4255