Some Legislators Disappointed As No Bills Passed To Reform State’s Tax Structure

Heading into the 2017 legislative session, lawmakers talked about reforming Louisiana’s tax structure with $1.3 billion in temporary taxes set to expire next year. But lawmakers will not pass any legislation this year dealing with the fiscal cliff. Baton Rouge Representative Barry Ivey expresses his frustration.

“I can assure you that no one is more disappointed than me that we have solved no problems.”

Since legislators failed to pass any tax reform measures in this session, the governor might call for a special session next year to address what would be a one-billion dollar budget deficit. But Ivey doesn’t see any real tax reform changes coming in a special session.

“If the will does not exist now, it will not exist in a special session. With that, my prediction is going off the fiscal cliff is absolutely inevitable in my opinion.”

Representative Julie Stokes of Metairie and Ivey both proposed a flat income tax. Both bills passed the House, but too late in the process for them to gain any traction in the senate. Stokes says Louisiana will continue to have constant budget deficits, unless Republicans and Democrats come together.

“I can’t tell you that there is a way within the current political environment that we can get reform and get revenue for the people that want it.”