DeVillier on Louisiana’s 2019 ‘fiscal cliff’

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As many have heard, Louisiana is facing an approximately $600 million shortfall this year. This “fiscal cliff” is created due to the temporary 1 percent sales tax increase and suspension of tax exemptions expiring combined with a continued growth in state spending.
Since 2015, $1.38 billion in temporary taxes, $1 billion in permanent taxes, and tens of millions in new fees have been raised! During this time the state budget grew by $5.2 billion. Our state sales tax is temporarily at 5 percent and is set to sunset back to 4 percent in FY 2019.
My vision for our state is to build trust and transparency in government, stop the outward migration of Louisiana citizens, better educate our children, and repair our crumbling infrastructure. This could be considered priority based budgeting, or in my opinion, a common-sense approach.
We need budget and spending reform more then ever in Louisiana. Last year conservatives in the House tried to slow the growth of government by spending 98 percent of estimated state revenue. This “stand still” budget approach would have cut the present “fiscal cliff” by $264 million.
We need to reform our legal climate and address pension debt. We need to focus on pro-growth policies and create better job opportunities. We need to consider the true role of government by understanding what essential services government must provide to fulfill its purpose and be transparent in what these services cost! Cuts must be properly, not politically, prioritized.
We all realize the difficult situation we are in this year. We saw it coming last year. We look forward to having discussions with the administration about fiscal reform and our spending priorities. It is our goal to figure out a plan that works well for the taxpayers and our state’s future instead of just satisfying government. This has been done in other states with success, and it didn’t require causing mass panic with the public.
In the coming days I will be sending a survey to the voters of District 41. Please take a few minutes and answer the questions. Last year 94 percent of those who answered the survey felt the government spends to much money with 74 percent saying to cut government.
Thank you for allowing me to service District 4.
Rep. Phillip DeVillier