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Special session ends: A breakdown of what passed in final hours
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BATON ROUGE - Louisiana’s lawmakers wrapped up a special legislative session Wednesday night at 6 p.m. aimed at balancing this year’s budget. Decisions on several tax proposals that could help get the state treasury back in decent shape went down to the wire as the debate ended in a flurry of activity. While this year's budget is rebalanced, there is plenty of work to be done for next year.
WHAT PASSED:
-Increase Louisiana's 4-cent sales tax by another penny on every dollar spent, starting April 1, without many of the exemptions allowed on the other four pennies of the tax. Revenue raised: $215 million for this year's budget and $883 million annually. House Bill 62.
-Lessen state sales tax exemptions, including on business utilities and on the purchase of manufacturing equipment. Revenue raised: About $80 million for this year's budget and about $400 million annually. House Bill 61.
-Allow sales taxes to be charged at certain events at Louisiana domed stadiums and baseball facilities starting April 1, like music concerts, not for athletic events. Revenue raised: Uncertain. Senate Bill 22.
-Boost the cigarette tax from 86 cents per pack to $1.08, starting April 1. Revenue raised: $11 million for this year's budget and $46 million annually. House Bill 14.
-Change what businesses can deduct from their income for tax purposes. Revenue raised: Uncertain. House Bill 55.
-Increase the rates charged on liquor, wine and beer, starting April 1. Revenue raised: $4.7 million for this year's budget and $19.2 million annually. House Bill 27.
-Charge a state sales tax on hotel rooms booked through short-term rental sites like Airbnb. Revenue raised: Uncertain. House Bill 59.
-Reinstate a 2.5 percent state car rental tax that expired four years ago, starting April 1. Revenue raised: $800,000 for this year's budget and $5 million for the state annually. House Bill 39.
-Renew the state telecommunications tax that expires April 1. Revenue raised: $600,000 in state general fund for this year's budget and $2.2 million annually. House Bill 72.
-Provide a method for collecting state sales tax from online retailers. Revenue raised: Uncertain. House Bill 30.
-Cap the amount a vendor can receive as compensation for timely filing and payment of state sales taxes, starting April 1. Revenue raised: $1.6 million for this year's budget and $6.4 million annually. House Bill 43.
-Reduce the discount rate a business receives for timely filing and payment of state alcohol taxes, starting April 1. Revenue raised: $94,000 for this year's budget and $375,000 annually. House Bill 28.
-Reduce the discount rate for tobacco dealers for expenses related to tax collection, starting April 1. Revenue raised: $275,000 in state general fund for this year's budget and $1.1 million for state general fund annually. House Bill 18.
-Lessen a tax break given to insurance companies. Revenue raised: $8 million in the 2016-17 and 2017-18 budget years. House Bill 87.
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WHAT FAILED:
-Charge corporate franchise tax on more businesses, starting Jan. 1, 2017. Revenue raised: $10 million in the 2016-17 budget year, $89 million in 2017-18 and $94 million after that. House Bill 19.
-Reduce the tax credit businesses can receive from the state for paying local property taxes on their inventory. Revenue raised: About $50 million annually. House Bill 46.
The regular session will begins on Monday.
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