Unions Oppose La. Tax Break Extensions

The state's two largest teachers unions and a budget watchdog group are opposing Gov. Bobby Jindal's plans to seek extensions of several business tax breaks.Jindal wants the Legislature to continue the state's Quality Jobs Program, which gives tax rebates to companies that create new jobs with specific wage and benefit levels. He also wants to extend tax credits for companies that conduct research and development in Louisiana, firms that commercialize technology developed at Louisiana colleges and digital media developers.

The Times-Picayune reports that the Louisiana Federation of Teachers says the proposal sends the wrong message when Jindal also said public school financing would be frozen next year. The Louisiana Association of Educators and the Louisiana Budget Project also weighed in against the tax break extensions.

Jindal says the tax breaks help Louisiana compete for jobs.