La. House Backs Tax Bills, But Far Short Of Edwards’ Request

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Lawmakers in the Louisiana House have agreed to a package of tax bills that would raise more than $220 million for next year's budget.

That reaches slightly more than one-third of the $600 million sought by Gov. John Bel Edwards to stop what he describes as deep cuts to health care, education and public safety programs.

The majority-Republican House tax committee has stalled many other measures sought by the Democratic governor, particularly income tax changes that could hit middle- and upper-income residents.

The biggest-ticket bill passed Thursday by the House would raise taxes on health care organizations known as HMOs.

Other measures to generate smaller pools of revenue would lessen a tax break for homeowners and change the calculation of interest on tax overpayments.

The bills head to the Senate.

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