I believe when folks have “skin in the game” they take more of an interest. I also believe we should share the burden for government with more stakeholders—not less—and that business already carries more than its share in Louisiana.
That is why I believe the Legislature and Gov. Bobby Jindal should leave the homestead exemption as it is.
In 1982 [the last time it was raised], Louisiana had the highest homestead exemption in the nation, and still today, we hold that title at the $75,000 level. According to the Public Affairs Research Council, 83% of all homes were fully covered by the homestead in 1991; 67% of the homes in 2001; and 46% of homes today. That means more of those who benefit from local services are contributing—and hopefully more concerned about where their tax dollars are going. That’s a good thing.
But if we raise the homestead exemption, even a little each year, fewer folks pay, pushing the burden more heavily onto those above the line, which means businesses and higher valued homes. Either that or it results in lower revenue for local governments.
According to PAR, the Minnesota Taxpayers Association’s “50-State Property Tax Study 2008” reports that Louisiana ranks 10th among the states in property tax burden on businesses. Also, the Louisiana Tax Commission data for 2008 shows that businesses paid more than 80% of property taxes in the state. We don’t need to increase that burden by raising the homestead.
Fact is, Louisiana property taxes are among the lowest in the nation. In 2006, Louisiana ranked 46th nationally, with collections at $582 per capita. Louisiana homeowners still get the best deal in the country when it comes to an exemption, and we don’t need to discourage business and industry from expanding here—or locating a new company in Louisiana.
Bottom line: The homestead is fine as it is, and the governor and Legislature need to stay focused on the bigger challenges.
Wish list
There are a lot of issues facing the Legislature and governor, including major deficits. There will be tough decisions, but here are a few of the issues on my “wish list.”
• Higher education. This is key to the future and a knowledge-based economy. I hope LSU’s flagship status is recognized and funded accordingly. That has always been a battle in a parochial Legislature.
I also hope the Legislature will get out of the business of approving tuition.
And related to this, the Legislature needs to free up the dedications so higher ed and health care don’t take the brunt of the pain with every budget shortfall.
• Commission on Streamlining Government. This is long overdue. This will shrink government, and with more looming deficits it is a necessity to protect areas like higher education. This is about changing the way we have operated for decades—and it needs to happen now.
• Civil service overhaul. Quit using fear and the memory of Huey Long to operate government in the 21st century. Free up cabinet executives and managers to do their jobs. Civil service rules are as outdated as tenure in an elementary school. Ridiculous.
• Lawsuit abuse reform. We are ranked 49th on “lawsuit climate” in a study by the U.S. Chamber. That’s not good for attracting business. Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch [llaw.org] claims our system costs the average Louisiana family more than $2,500 a year.
• School board reform. [See my May 5 column, “Education gains under assault,” or read it online here for details.]
Free speech, California style
I don’t understand why the Miss USA and Miss California pageant folks are so worked up over Carrie Prejean’s answer regarding same-sex marriage during the recent Miss USA pageant. If you don’t want an honest answer, don’t ask the question.
Prejean, participating as Miss California, was asked by judge Perez Hilton if she supported the legalization of same-sex marriage. She said she believed marriage should be between a man and a woman. He asked. She answered. Then all hell broke loose.
Despite having received high scores throughout the night, Miss California suddenly came up second. Perez Hilton then proceeded to vilify her on his national blog. [Hilton is pathetic. Have you seen his blog? He mostly trashes people and is crude and lewd.]
The irony was pageant officials started attacking Prejean for using their event as a forum to promote her agenda. So how did she arrange for the host to randomly draw this question for her to answer? And it seems like Hilton, who is gay, was the one trying to push an agenda on the national stage by submitting the controversial question. Why don’t the organizers attack him—or would that be politically incorrect?
He asked, probably hoping the contestant would endorse his position on the national stage—and then he could crown her Miss USA. Headline next day: Miss USA supports gay marriage. BOOM! Prejean burst his bubble and stood up for what she believed in—traditional marriage between a man and a woman.
Since then, Prejean has been attacked and criticized for saying what she believes. That’s absurd. Most folks don’t have the courage to stand up for what they believe in. Others tried to find reasons to take her Miss California crown away—but Donald Trump stepped in and ruled that she will continue her reign. He noted that Prejean’s answer to the question on same-sex marriage was the same as President Obama’s.
I wonder if Perez Hilton has trashed Obama on his blog.
Worried about Gill
Did someone at the Times-Picayune newsroom hide James Gill’s medication—or is his age just taking its toll? A recent column he wrote has me wondering if it’s time for his check-up.
Gill seemed a little upset with the Legislature, calling them “gutless” and referring to one Senate committee as “weasels.” [OK, I’ve called legislators worse than that.]
But I began to wonder about his state of mind when he praised Rep. Karen Carter Peterson and then former Gov. Edwin Edwards as role models. [Did I read that right?]
What had me most concerned was when he wrote, “Nobody is going to brag on former Gov. Edwin Edwards, who remains in the federal pen. But anyone who dealt with Edwards in his heyday will aver that, if he told you something to your face, you could believe it.”
Well, that’s pretty much bragging on Edwards. And it wasn’t exactly true when it came to Edwards’ judge and jury hearing the former governor claim his innocence. Get some rest, Jimmy.
Improved ranking
In the past, Louisiana has often been referred to as a banana republic or third-world country. But Sen. Robert Adley was crying in Advocate reporter Mark Lambert’s beer recently and seemed to give the state a promotion. He said, “Transparency is gone. Checks and balances are gone. I’m beginning to believe I’m sitting in a communist state.”
Assuming he meant the Soviet Union, that means we have gone from banana republic to world superpower. Hey, we improved our status.
Fact is, Adley never had a problem with a dictatorship as long as he was the dictator.
