Louisiana

Landry’s plan could overhaul Louisiana’s overly-complex tax system – Washington Examiner

Published

1 year ago

October 21, 2024

Landry’s plan could overhaul Louisiana’s overly-complex tax system – Washington Examiner

(The Center Square) — The Louisiana Legislature could soon contemplate the state’s most comprehensive tax overhaul in decades.

The package from Gov. Jeff Landry — dubbed the “Louisiana Forward” initiative — includes 10 bills intended to simplify and modernize the state’s tax system while spurring economic growth.

“This plan seeks to attract investment, while protecting low income earners, our middle class, and our seniors,” Landry said at a recent news conference. “A plan that will fix Louisiana to compete for new jobs, greater wages and produce a thriving economy in a new Industrial South.”

The proposal seeks to eliminate what Landry calls “uncompetitive taxes,” such as the franchise and inventory taxes. Recent testimony from Richard Nelson, the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Revenue, said that the reform intends to broaden the tax base by eliminating various tax preferences and lowering rates, making Louisiana’s tax system more competitive both nationally and regionally.

One of the key elements of the package is a move toward a simpler, flat income tax structure with fewer carveouts, aiming to streamline the state’s complex tax code. By reducing the number of deductions and exemptions, the state hopes to create a more equitable system that promotes fairness and predictability.

The income tax reform proposes a flat 3% individual income tax rate, with standard deductions of $12,500 for single filers and $25,000 for joint filers.

It includes a $12,000 retirement income exemption but repeals the additional $1,000 deduction for seniors, the blind, and dependents, as well as deductions for net capital gains and certain business expenses. Seniors could see an extra 0.2% tax rate reduction and doubled standard deductions if constitutional changes are approved.

“The plan has something for everyone,” Nelson said. “There’s the increase in standard deduction, and the flat rate which makes it better for everyone.”

Landry’s proposal also calls for giving the state legislature greater spending flexibility by removing the restrictions on how specific funds are used, thereby unlocking revenues for broader use. Additionally, the plan accelerates state debt payments, freeing up recurring general fund revenue for other uses.

A significant part of the proposal includes a “sales tax cleanup,” which mandates local tax exemptions for prescription drugs and manufacturing machinery, aligning them with state policies. Additionally, the package would move exemptions out of the complex definitions section of Louisiana’s tax code into more transparent exemption provisions.

Among the notable changes is the redirection of 0.03% of sales tax from the Louisiana Tourism Promotion District to the state’s general fund, providing more flexibility in the state’s budgeting process. Other proposals make permanent a partial sales tax exemption on business utilities, while consolidating related exemptions in areas such as medical, agricultural, and educational materials.

The estimated fiscal impact of these sales tax reforms ranges between $840 million and $860 million, according to the Louisiana Department of Revenue.

One of the most forward-looking components of the package involves modernizing how the state handles the taxation of digital products. With a growing number of transactions moving from physical goods to digital formats,

Louisiana’s current tax law lacks clarity on how to address this shift. The reform package seeks to expand the state and local tax base to include the sale of digital products and services.

This would cover items such as digital books, audiovisual works, computer software access services, and information services, according to the LDOR. Under the proposed rules, the sales tax would apply when taxpayers download, access, or use digital products.

The inclusion of digital products is projected to bring in an additional $90 million to $120 million annually, making it a significant revenue generator in an increasingly digital economy.

Several elements of Landry’s package will require constitutional amendments, meaning they will have to be approved by voters in a statewide referendum. These include eliminating certain taxes and adjusting how state funds can be spent. While the proposed reforms have the potential to unlock significant economic growth, they have not been without scrutiny.

According to Invest in Louisiana, Landry’s tax reform plan could worsen the deficit and threaten essential programs and public services, particularly in education and health care, which he aims to shield from budget cuts.

CLICK HERE TO READ MORE FROM THE WASHINGTON EXAMINER

The Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy warns that the proposal would shift the tax burden onto the middle class, especially if it doesn’t effectively address the budget shortfall, potentially leading to higher tax rates.

“The income-tax cut would cost the state more than $1.1 billion per year in lost revenue,” Invest in Louisiana stated, using data from the Institute for Taxation and Economic Policy. “The largest share of the tax cut would go to the top 1% of Louisiana income earners.”

Source link

Louisiana

57-foot-tall homemade Christmas tree lights up Kinder

Published

3 hours ago

December 25, 2025

Press Room

57-foot-tall homemade Christmas tree lights up Kinder

LAKE CHARLES, La. (KPLC) – Two Kinder men decided not to get a tree, but instead to build one of the largest Christmas trees the state of Louisiana has ever seen.

Kaleb Deaton and Donnie Domingue wanted a tree as big as they could imagine.

“Last year, we had a tree we built that was 20 feet, and this year we wanted to bring something special to the table. We came up with this 57-foot tree. We had all the supplies,” Deaton said.

The 57-foot-tall tree is lit up in their backyard, believed to be one of the largest man-made Christmas trees in Louisiana’s history

The tree is dressed with 20,000 bulbs connected to over a mile of wire and topped with an 8-foot star.

“I have some little girls, and I just love putting smiles on their faces,” Deaton said. “It’s just warming, and I wanted to do something special for them this year. Like I said, Donnie is a fabricator, and we put our heads together, and we just made it happen.”

They say they’ve been planning how big they were going to make the tree since last year.

“Our first plan was actually a 150-foot tree,” Domingue said.

It was a work in progress to be able to build the massive Christmas tree.

“It took an army to be able to put this thing up,” Deaton said. “I have a Treco in the back that has a lot of horsepower; it had to lift this baby up and Donnie’s welding machine.”

(KPLC)

They say it looks like lots of welding, cutting, and grinding.

Since the Christmas tree has been up in Kinder, hundreds of people have come out to enjoy the holiday spectacle. They say being able to bring Christmas cheer to the area of Kinder is fulfilling.

“Oh, it’s great seeing people come line up down my driveway. I live on a dead-end road, and it’s awesome to come out and see everybody here with us. Having people talk on Facebook about what joy it’s brought to them, it’s been great,” Deaton said.

They’re already coming up with ideas on how to top next year’s tree

“We got something special, we are not going to let that out just yet, but we got something we talked about earlier. You’ll be here next year,” Deaton said.

The tree will be lit up and on display in Kinder until Jan. 6.

Source link

Louisiana

Cuban families in Louisiana celebrate Christmas with traditional lechon feast

Published

15 hours ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

Cuban families in Louisiana celebrate Christmas with traditional lechon feast

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – For many Cuban families in Louisiana, Christmas means gathering for a traditional lechon, a pig roast that serves as the centerpiece of their holiday celebration.

Vivian Nieto, owner of Churro’s Cafe in Metairie, said the Cuban tradition parallels Louisiana’s French Acadian cochon de lait but uses distinct seasonings and preparation methods.

“The Cuban use, basically, is the garlic, the naranja agria, and salt,” Nieto said. “If you don’t add anything else, that would be perfect.”

Traditional mojo marinade starts with citrus and garlic

The marinade, called mojo, always starts with garlic and citrus, specifically bitter orange juice known in Spanish as naranja agria. Nieto adds cumin and oregano to the base mixture.

At her Cuban restaurant, Nieto uses a Boston butt instead of a whole pig and lets it marinate overnight.

“I remember when I was a kid, the night before, they cleaned, they marinated,” Nieto said. “In our family, we exposed our babies early to the big pig that gets seasoned and marinated the night before.”

Pig roasted all day on Christmas Eve

Like the Acadian cochon, the lechon is roasted all day on Christmas Eve. Nieto said the taste testing during preparation bonds families together.

“Not too many people realize how tight is Cuba with New Orleans,” Nieto said. “The food, you respond deeply.”

The pork is served with congri, black beans and rice with onions and garlic, and yuca.

Nieto said she finds deep joy in making food that connects Cuban culture across generations.

See a spelling or grammar error in our story? Click Here to report it. Please include the headline.

Subscribe to the Fox 8 YouTube channel.

Source link

Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Mega Millions, Pick 3 results for Dec. 23, 2025

Published

1 day ago

December 24, 2025

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Dec. 23, 2025, results for each game:

Winning Mega Millions numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

15-37-38-41-64, Mega Ball: 21

Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

3-1-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

4-6-9-2

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Dec. 23 drawing

9-0-4-5-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

Source link