A bill pending in the Legislature would authorize a $185 million expansion of the Convention Center, financing of a private hotel, and conversion of the World Trade Center site to a riverfront park. Mayor Mitch Landrieu envisions an attraction on par with the Gateway Arch in St. Louis.
Aide to governor warned that Washington-based group would score measure as a tax increase.
“The will wasn’t there to prolong the agony,” said Rep. Joel Robideaux, R-Lafayette, about legislators' decision to table the tax bills.
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.
