Special session begins to address $1 billion fiscal cliff

The fifth special session since John Bel Edwards became Louisiana’s governor began on Monday for legislatures who are tasked with addressing the state’s $1 billion fiscal cliff.
According to WAFB, after the first day of the session, “tensions are already flaring at the capitol.”
The television station reported that during a committee hearing Tuesday, “lawmakers vented their frustrations about the scope of options that they have to address the state’s projected $1 billion fiscal cliff.”
Representative Kenny Harvard (R) said, “This is all I have to work with. We are in a limited session right, and I want to try to fix the problem.”
The state is set to go off the fiscal cliff starting July 1, 2018 when a penny of the state sales tax is no longer collected.
WAFB reported, “State legislators are considering a handful of taxes to fill in at least part of the budget hole.” Some of those ideas “are directly from the task force, including changes to the income tax.”
However, accroding to WAFB, “Those ideas are facing push back from Republicans and are likely dead on arrival.”
Duirng the meeting on Tuesday, Rep. Ted James (D) said, “I sat here, and I heard you say I want real tax reform. They gave this as an idea of real tax reform. I am not in the business of punting my responsibility.”
Rep. Havard, however, suggested modifying the state sales tax, removing or reducing certain exemptions, including those that help industry.
In reference to Havard’s suggestion, Rep Barry Ivey (R) said, “I’m concerned about the message that this would send if we put this as permanent policy.”
However, Havard then said, “We can train monkeys to sit down here and push no and yes, and they don’t have to do anything.”
Voting on tax bills could start anytime this week.
According to WAFB, “some bills did gain momentum at the capitol Tuesday, but their impact on the current budget shortfall is limited at best.”
The TV news station also reported that “House Republicans are backing bills aimed at restricting state spending.”
Republicans would “also would like to see a new budget transparency website.” Bills regarding this matter have made it through committee and are headed to the House floor for discussion.