Jindal now seems willing to back a plan — any plan — that repeals the state income tax.
Jindal officials promise to get their revenue estimates right this time, but their budget already is balanced on one-time money that may not materialize.
“I just don’t believe that’s a prudent thing to do,” said state Rep. Joel Robideaux, commenting on proposals to phase out income tax on a pay-as-you-go basis.
Kleckley says the House may still pass a revamp of the tax system. He notes that four legislators have put forward competing measures: “All of them may be incorporated into the governor’s plan, or pieces of them can be used.” But until the revenue estimates stabilize, Kleckley says the Jindal plan doesn't even have the support to survive a committee vote.
A year ago Jindal was on a "second honeymoon. He was flying as high as a kite," said state Rep. Jeff Arnold, D-Algiers.
State Rep. Jerome “Dee” Richard is filing a bill to repeal all tax exemptions not embedded in the state constitution.
Father Michael notes that financial inequality is at its worst level since the 1920s and prays that Congress will find the courage to attack the federal debt in a way that includes tax increases on the wealthy, not just cuts that hit middle-class and poor Americans hardest.
CBS irked some locals by defiling Andrew Jackson's statue with the logo of its show "The Talk" during Super Bowl week. Now it has stirred controversy by seeking a film industry tax break for those broadcasts from the French Quarter. Bottom line: the broadcaster is probably entitled to the tax break.
Economists say there must be winners and losers if the plan is revenue-neutral. Will businesses pay more?
The governor's broad-brush explanation lacked details to determine who would pay more.