John Bel Edwards’s budget proposals call for increasing taxes this year. His administration believes that Louisianians are willing to pay more taxes if they think it’s going to transportation, health care, or education.
It brought a response from the Louisiana chapter of Americans for Prosperity.
BATON ROUGE – Today, Americans for Prosperity – Louisiana State Director John Kay issued the following statement on Governor John Bel Edwards’ legislative agenda:
“Governor Edwards’ plan for tax reform is nothing more than the latest verse in the tax and spend song and dance we have become so familiar with in Baton Rouge. The governor and legislature owe it to the citizens of this state to individually vet and debate every part of the budget in an open and public setting. Before ever raising another tax, legislators should open up the entire budget for cuts and eliminate corporate welfare, such as the $181 million film tax credit handout to Hollywood.”
The statement was reported by The Advocate’s Elizabeth Crisp.
Virginia-based AFP urging #lalege to reject gas tax hike. La. Survey found residents largely support increase. https://t.co/hcNdwaYWE5 pic.twitter.com/A3sDscsQ7P
— Elizabeth Crisp (@elizabethcrisp) March 29, 2017
Which led to a clash with AFP’s James Lee and John Kay.
My experience, as a Louisianan on the ground talking 2 Louisianans, is that changes as soon as they find out how $ is spent
— James Lee (@JamesLeeBR) March 29, 2017
Not defensive, just setting record straight. AFP-LA policy comes from here in LA, implying otherwise is deeply misleading.
— James Lee (@JamesLeeBR) March 29, 2017
Louisiana run AFP chapter by a lifelong citizen, as you know. In fact, I suffered through the August floods personally
— John Kay (@JohnKayJr) March 29, 2017
pointing out that this is an organization run by Louisianans, not a group without a presence or personal buy-in to LA policy
— John Kay (@JohnKayJr) March 29, 2017
Yep. I am aware. Never said otherwise. The call to action is posted on AFP's main, Virginia-based page. Thanks!
— Elizabeth Crisp (@elizabethcrisp) March 29, 2017
What the AFP workers are hearing are exactly what The Hayride is hearing from Louisianians, there is no appetite for a tax increase. The results from Saturday’s special elections also show there is no appetite for a tax increase among voters. Every candidate backed by JBE and who would not take a stand against tax increases got beat.
John Bel Edwards’s proposals are an insult to these hard-working people. The state needs to have an honest debate that puts everything up for cuts. JBE won’t have that.
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