PAR Releases New Commentary on Tax Reform

January 8, 2018

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PAR Releases New Commentary on Tax Reform

Dear PAR Members & Friends:

The Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana has released a commentary, Reach for the Best Option: A highly recommended initiative should anchor Louisiana's 2018 tax reform debate.

Now is the time to move forward with a Louisiana state income tax reform that truly creates greater simplicity, stability and lower rates. The Governor and the Legislature should work together to support passage of a constitutional amendment that would eliminate or limit the federal tax deduction for state filers while lowering income tax rates. The potential Congressional reform of federal income taxation is all the more reason to move ahead with this state reform. This move is in the best interests of Louisiana taxpayers and the state's fiscal outlook.

The expiration of temporary taxes in July 2018 -- mainly the 5th percent of the sales tax -- will represent approximately $1.1 billion less in annual state tax revenue. The Governor yesterday announced his plan for dealing with this looming "fiscal cliff" and establishing a new sales and income tax structure in Louisiana. The appropriate duty of the Governor is to propose a specific plan to the Legislature and to call a special session in February to address it, which now is his stated intention. That's progress.

To access the full commentary, simply click here.

Latest from Senator Bill Cassidy

Louisiana Leaders Praise Cassidy's Work to Preserve Historic Tax Credit

Louisiana leaders are praising U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (R-LA) for his work to preserve the Historic Tax Credit in tax reform. Since 2002, the provision has facilitated at least 782 projects in Louisiana, encouraging more than $2.5 billion in private rehabilitation investments and creating more than 38,000 jobs in the state.

Read more here.

OPED: Cassidy, Scalise: In Passing a Tax Cut,

Republicans Helped Louisiana

U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and U.S. House Majority Whip Steve Scalise (R-LA) authored the following op-ed in the Times-Picayune highlighting how the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act benefits Louisiana.

In Passing a Tax Cut, Republicans Helped Louisiana

Senator Bill Cassidy and Representative Steve Scalise

The Times-Picayune | December 21, 2017

http://www.nola.com/opinions/index.ssf/2017/

12/republican_tax_cut_bill.html#incart_river_index

You've probably been hearing a lot about tax reform lately, and we wanted to take this opportunity to update you on the action we have taken in Congress to save you money, grow our economy, and create good jobs here in Louisiana and throughout the nation. Wednesday (Dec. 20), Congress sent the Tax Cuts and Jobs Act to President Trump's desk, keeping our promise to make bold, conservative tax reform a reality before Christmas.

Here's the bottom line: This reform puts more money into the pockets of hard-working families, creates more jobs at higher wages and gets our economy growing again.

Read more here.

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One-to-One from LA 1 Coalition

Click below for updates on State Moves Forward on Phase 2 Segment E, Coalition and Port Officials Press for LA 1 Funding in Washington, Gov. Edwards Prioritizes LA 1 Project in Letter on State Infrastructure Needs and more from their newsletter!

Read More Here

Louisiana Flood Risk Coalition

Dear Chamber Members:

The National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) is scheduled for reauthorization by Congress, January 19th of this year; however that date will undoubtedly be extended.

To avoid the unfortunate events that followed Biggert-Waters 2012, the Louisiana Flood Risk Coalition (LFRC) was established in 2016 to advocate for reform of the NFIP to protect our citizens participating in the NFIP and to develop responsible floodplain management within coastal and riverine communities. The LFRC is comprised of levee districts spread across Louisiana, working to ensure that the NFIP is both sustainable and fiscally responsible in helping to mitigate flood loss.

Read the full letter here

This Week Around Louisiana

The Chesapeake Group is hired by the Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce to lobby in Baton Rouge on behalf of the business community in our region

Happy New Year!

I hope everyone had a safe holiday season and started the week off right, rested and ready to hit 2018 running.

The links below are a few of the other highlights in news from around Louisiana for the week ending January 5, 2018

UNDER PRESSURE

BY CAROLINE GRUESKIN and DAVID MITCHELL

| The Advocate

ALFORD: They said it in 2017

January 2, 2018 By Jeremy Alford

Jeff Landry releases guidelines for religious expression in public schools

By Wilborn P. Nobles III |

NOLA.com | The Times-Picayune

LA Creel program federally certified