Progressive vision for Louisiana
Homestead Exemption- One of the greatest laws on the books! However the rise in inflation has caused the values of our homes to rise but our incomes haven't kept pace. We need to raise the $75,000 exemption to $100,000. Over sixty percent of the homes in Louisiana do not pay property tax. I believe there should be a minimum tax placed on all homeowners. Nobody likes a tax increase I understand that. Many Parish budgets are being crippled by the rising costs of energy, the outflow of people, and other associated expenses. We all receive service from the local government agencies in one form or another. I believe we should pay something for those services.
Our Young Adults-Create jobs with real work experience, hands on training, development of self confidence, and most importantly put money in their pockets. Young adults ages 18-20 can volunteer to join the Louisiana Security Workforce for a two year hitch. They can work with local parishes, city governments, local and state law enforcement as interns, or wherever there's a need! In the event of natural disaster the Governor will have up to a 5,000 member trained workforce just hours away from initiating mitigating efforts. After two years in the program anyone wanting to go back to school to earn a college degree will be eligible for TOPS as prescribed in the Louisiana Constitution of 1974.
Insurance Reform- First and foremost the Insurance Industry needs to understand that their actions are having a negative impact on Louisiana. The outrageous premiums some insurance companies are levying on their customers needs to stop. Citizens are risk of losing their homes due to premiums that have doubled. Businesses too are feeling the crunch. We need economic development in Louisiana. Driving business away does no one any good. They're in the business of risk. I'm sorry they had to pay, they lost. Louisianans faithfully paid their premiums. The lack of properly exercising their fiduciary responsibility and treatment of policy holders of some Insurance companies after the storm is unacceptable. I will deal with these unscrupulous companies with an iron fist. I have zero tolerance for any business that would choose to shortchange Louisianans so blatantly. I would propose legislation that would help Louisiana residents and businesses in a time of a natural disaster. When an individual's home or business is damaged from a hurricane or other natural disaster which is in an area declared as a disaster area the following provisions would take place. The first $50,000 of the damage claim check will go directly to the homeowner or individual. Any remaining damage claim money would go to the mortgage company. This money is to get the repairs underway as quick as possible. When we have a mortgage we sign a contract not only to repay the debt but also keep the property in good repair. If an individual or business fails to honor the agreement between the mortgage company and themselves a strict and harsh penalty will be imposed. Although the residence or place of business is ours in principle the mortgage company has an investment that needs protection also.
State minimum wage- If the Feds don't want to do it, we have do it for the people of Louisiana. Increase minimum wage to $7.00 statewide on all current full time positions.
New employees would fall under federal guidelines for 180 days before being elevated to the Louisiana standard. Businesses would only pay state tax, state unemployment tax, and worker's compensation rates on the wages prior to the passing of the Bill for two years. After such they will pay taxes and insurance on the prevailing wages they paid. I will work with the Federal Government to have the federal side of taxes and insurance fall under the same provisions.
Teachers- Two years ago I developed a plan to give educators in Louisiana a sizable pay increase that would pretty much be painless to taxpayers. The plan was called "A penny for a Teacher". I submitted the plan to the Governor's office and was pleasantly thanked and told it would be passed on. Unfortunately nothing ever happened. In a nutshell the plan called for one penny to be tacked on to everything we buy up to one dollar at any particular purchasing event. You do the math! If we have three million consumers in this state and we all buy an average of one hundred items a week that's three million dollars a week! Multiply that by 52 and the number is near 160 million dollars annually. Visitors to the state and people crossing through on our highways will all contribute pushing these numbers higher.
Alternate Energy Sources- Develop a team of engineers from the Universities and Colleges across Louisiana to find and develop alternative fuels. We'll use our most precious assets, Engineers raised and educated in Louisiana. Working with private investors and the Federal Government Louisiana will lead the way in providing technology the world will seek. I will propose that the state own and operate a refinery making gasoline and diesel to supplement the demand of our country needs. The gasoline made by this refinery will help drive down the cost at the pump as the goal of the refinery is to make an affordable product and enough money to maintain reliability. Every investor wants a return. The return will come in lower prices at the pump along with the creation of five hundred high paying jobs and economic development sprouting up around the plant.
Law Enforcement Officers and Fire Protection- As I have mentioned these people along with teachers are the keystone to our society. It's time and long overdue that we pay these folks like our lives depend on it. If there's a will there's a way, and these people will be paid! Working together with State Lawmakers we will find the money and appropriate it as such.
Education- The children of Louisiana are the future of Louisiana. We need to make sure they have the tools to compete and be successful in their lives. Louisiana children are no different than children anywhere else. As Governor I will take a comprehensive look at what the top states in education are doing. Working with the top educators in Louisiana we'll develop an aggressive plan to integrate proven and successful practices into our educational system.
Senior Citizens- They took care of us when we were young, they help build this state. Let's help them. Most seniors live on fixed incomes. Fluctuations in energy prices have a ripple effect on everything we buy. Thus in most cases shrinking their available income causing them to make some tough financial decisions. It sickens me to think they have to make choices, medication or air conditioning/heat. Let's help them out! When a senior citizen reaches the age of 60 all sales taxes will be reduced 50% on every purchase under $10,000. At age 65 all sales taxes will be forgiven except on major purchases over $10,000. At age 70 all sales taxes will be forgiven for the remainder of their life. Also, when a senior hits the age of 62 hunting and fishing licenses shall be free.
