Louisiana
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.
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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.”
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 3, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Mega Millions numbers from March 3 drawing
07-21-53-54-62, Mega Ball: 16
Check Mega Millions payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 3 drawing
6-8-3
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 3 drawing
3-6-7-4
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 3 drawing
0-8-3-2-0
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.
Louisiana
Brother of Louisiana mayor accused of raping 16-year-old has a hauntingly similar criminal past
The brother of Louisiana mayor Misty Roberts — accused of raping her son’s teenage friend — is facing child sex crimes of his own.
Brandon Lee Roberts, 39, was accused of raping a teen girl and assaulting a young woman over the course of several years, KALB reported.
The alleged sexual abuse began when one of the victims was as young as 13, according to Beauregard Parish Sheriff Mark Herford.
He was arrested in October.
That comes years after his big sister – ex-mayor of DeRidder, 43-year-old Misty Roberts – allegedly got hot and heavy with her son’s 16-year-old friend at a drunken party at their home.
Roberts was allegedly caught in the tryst by her own kids.
She was arrested months later, and is currently on trial for rape charges.
The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.
Here’s a look at March 2, 2026, results for each game:
Winning Powerball numbers from March 2 drawing
02-17-18-38-62, Powerball: 20, Power Play: 2
Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 3 numbers from March 2 drawing
3-9-9
Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 4 numbers from March 2 drawing
4-1-1-0
Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.
Winning Pick 5 numbers from March 2 drawing
0-5-2-9-5
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.
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