Notes And Quotes From The Louisiana Legislature

BATON ROUGE, La. (AP) — Louisiana's lawmakers will do an in-depth review of tax breaks in state law after the legislative session ends, to determine whether they believe they should remain on the books or whether they siphon off too much money with too little benefit for the state.

Sen. Jack Donahue's proposal (Senate Concurrent Resolution 103) to create a review commission received final passage Sunday with a 38-0 Senate vote.

The panel will use economic modeling to determine the impact of each tax break, identify low-performing or antiquated tax breaks and recommend which ones should be reduced or eliminated.

Donahue, R-Mandeville, and other supporters of the review panel said they wanted to determine if the state actually gets enough of a return from the billions of dollars in tax breaks or if they should be removed to generate more money for health care services and public colleges.

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In other legislative action:

—The sale of dogs and cats will be banned from roadsides, flea markets, public parks and public playgrounds, under a proposal (House Bill 231) by Rep. Tony Ligi, R-Kenner, that received final legislative passage. Several municipalities around the state have enacted similar local ordinances. Violation will carry up to a $250 fine the first time, then up to $1,000 for subsequent offenses. The measure heads to the governor.

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QUOTE:

"I don't think anybody wants to listen to this again."

--Rep. Karen St. Germain, D-Pierre Part, refusing to again debate whether tolls should remain on a Mississippi River bridge in the New Orleans area.

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Online:

Louisiana Legislature: www.legis.la.gov