Cigarette, alcohol taxes among bills passed by House Ways & Means Committee
BATON ROUGE - Gov. John Bel Edwards' tax proposals have started moving in the Louisiana House, though it remains unclear which ones can win enough support from House Republicans and which ones will hit roadblocks.
The House Ways and Means Committee advanced more than 30 tax measures Tuesday - including many pushed by the Democratic governor - to the full House for consideration.
The committee didn't put its stamp of approval on each, however. Instead, lawmakers backed some measures and indicated their disapproval of others even as they sent the bills to the House floor.
Edwards is proposing a state sales tax hike, increased taxes on businesses and boosted taxes on cigarettes and alcohol to help balance Louisiana's budget.
The full House is expected to start voting on tax bills Thursday.
It's tax day in House Ways&Means. Already 20mins past start time, no meeting yet #lalege https://t.co/6NV8Lg3X33 pic.twitter.com/2S6d4yPV2e
— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 23, 2016
A 20-cent cigarette tax was one of the first items to pass, set to generate an estimated $46 million a year for the state.
20cent cigarette tax passes, $46mill a year #lalege @WBRZ
— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 23, 2016
Another so-called "sin tax" on alcohol was soon to follow, passing successfully.
If it passes, alcohol tax could raise $27mill a yr. 25cent hike on booze litter, 6cent on 6-pack beer#lalege
— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 23, 2016Trending News
Also, Louisiana residents could see the death of the "honor system" when it comes to reporting taxes on internet purchases.
Bill seeking to close internet sales tax loophole passes #lalege https://t.co/HTRg0KVC2T
— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 23, 2016
Income tax bills presented by Walt Leger did not pass.
Legers income tax bracket bills just failed HB32-34 #lalege
— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 23, 2016
Leger's repeal of federal income tax deduction HB31 did pass. Requires vote of people #lalege
— Mark Armstrong (@TV_MarkA) February 23, 2016
All of the activity from the committee can be viewed by clicking here. The bills will move next to the full Louisiana House for approval.