Saying they have “unfinished business,” Gov. John Bel Edwards called on lawmakers today to raise millions of dollars more in taxes aimed at closing budget holes and stopping cuts to health care services and education programs.
Edwards spoke to a joint session of the House and Senate on the first full day of his second special session in five months, laying out his case for $600 million in taxes for the financial year that begins July 1.
“We still have a real mess on our hands, and the longer we put off cleaning up that mess, the more damage we do and the more problems we create for ourselves down the line,” Edwards said.
The Democratic governor is proposing increased income taxes on middle- and upper-income earners, scaled back tax break programs and boosted business taxes.
It’s Edwards’ second special session on taxes since taking office in January. Fatigued lawmakers are questioning whether they’ll support additional tax changes after the litany of tax hikes passed earlier this year, which raised more than $1.2 billion for next year’s budget.
“The people who sent us here expect us to finish the job,” Edwards told lawmakers.
Some Republicans, particularly in the House, are saying they don’t intend to boost taxes further.
“If it takes money out of someone’s pocket, I’m not for raising taxes on individuals or entities in this session period,” said Rep. Lance Harris, R-Alexandria, chairman of the House GOP delegation.
