We all know the state of Louisiana is facing a looming budget deficit. It's predicted the budget shortfall for next fiscal year could be as high as two billion dollars. To stop the budget shortfall from affecting education in Louisiana, one state senator is proposing raising the state income tax on middle and upper income taxpayers. You may recall, the middle and upper income got somewhat of a tax break when parts of the so called Stelly Plan were repealed. If those parts of the Stelly Plan are reinstated, then middle and upper income residents would see their income taxes go up. Some political observers don't see this happening. That's because Governor Bobby Jindal has made it clear he's opposed to any tax increases. But without them, higher education as usual, will take the brunt of the budget cuts. With that in mind, would you be willing to pay higher income taxes to offset cuts to higher education?
"Would you be willing to pay higher income taxes to offset cuts to higher education?"
H#@@ NO!
Obama and his momma Pelosi and the other pussycats have already done this to us so called "middle to upper incomers", and now this? All i can say to this pathetic gesture is "GO BOBBY GO"!!
Posted by: AWAKENED | October 19, 2010 at 05:49 AM
One should never fix a short term problem with a long term solution. The deficit is short term (fiscal) and raising taxes is long term (forever).
Absolutely not.
Posted by: Nick Carson | October 19, 2010 at 07:07 AM
Can anybody manage money in our State goverment? We don't need more taxes. We need sommeone who who can manage the budget. They are wasting money in every area of our state. If they would just corral the waste we could be the riches state in the union. Com on man! Do your job and bite the bullet, starting with all elected officialls. There is plenty of waste to recover starting right there. To answer your question: Please no more on the backs of working people, Please.
Posted by: Harry Potter | October 19, 2010 at 07:08 AM
And we will just raise taxes on "middle and upper income taxpayers."
Unbelievable.
Posted by: Nick Carson | October 19, 2010 at 07:11 AM
Oh wait - I just remembered! All of the taxes from gambling, er I mean gaming revenues were promised to go to education in order to get that pushed through! How about we make good on this promise just for a little while, correct the education budget, and after that we can go back to funneling this money to whomever or wherever it is currently going.
Posted by: Nick Carson | October 19, 2010 at 07:36 AM
I dislike sliding into such coarse language, but when are the idiots in government going to get the message - The electorate is sick of higher taxes and more government spending!!
From the feds to local government - tighten your belts just like the citizenry is having to do!! Just a side note: In some cases we are even paying local taxes so some officials can subsidize their personal incomes. Oh, I forgot, "It has all been paid back and will never happen again."
Posted by: Rick Montz | October 19, 2010 at 08:40 AM
NOT NO BUT HELL NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Posted by: Buck | October 19, 2010 at 08:46 AM
Render unto Caesar , that which is Caesar's
CAESAR IS DEAD ! Anyone POLITICIAN CARE to join him ?
NO MORE TAXES ! CUT the BUDGET , LIve within your means , NO MORE WASTEFUL , UNNECESSARY ENTITLEMENTS !
The BUCK has left the building
Posted by: Lucifer and Lucy - Don't Live in Kissaska | October 19, 2010 at 09:13 AM
Just my two cents worth...exactly what is considered HIGHER EDUCATION? high school? or college? If it is high school well then perhaps the schools could spend a little less, and as Nick pointed out the money that is supposed to come from Gaming should actually be spent on education.
Now if it is college, well then HECK NO, if you want to go to college, it is plain and simple YOU either pay, get a scholarship or join the military for 6 years or the peace corps for 6 years. But you do not use my taxes to pay for someone else to go to college.
Posted by: Bad American | October 19, 2010 at 09:52 AM
I join my fellow bloggers in a resounding "NO!" to the proposition of a tax increase. Louisiana does not have a funding problem...we have a spending problem. Cut budgets across the board and curtail the reckless spending and we wouldn't be having this discussion. To those who say that other budgets are exempt from cuts so they are "forced" to make the cuts in education I say "change the law"...NOW!! Like most of us, I'm in no mood for excuses. Politicians either need to comply with the wishes of the citizens or we're going to replace you...starting in about 2 weeks.
Posted by: Mike | October 19, 2010 at 11:52 AM
Not no, but hell no. The person proposing this needs to lose his office.
Posted by: Scott | October 19, 2010 at 12:07 PM
I think that you would be hard pressed to find any one that would be in favor of raising taxes. But it would be impossible to find some one in favor of raising taxes to aid a university that is building an $8,500,000 fieldhouse.
If Mr. McNeese could see what is going on, he would be a very sad man. We kick students out of housing and make them walk long, hazardous, distances to class. These are our future tax payers. Look how we treat them.
Who needs great nurses? We got football.
Hooray...we got a new volleyball coach!
ATHLETES ROCK
Posted by: GUMP | October 19, 2010 at 01:13 PM
NO MORE TAXES. If students want a college education then do it the old fashioned way. Work and pay for it yourself. It may take a littl longer to get that degree but you will appreciate it more and be less inclined to party rather than study when you are paying the bill.
Yes, I know college is expensive but if you truely want the degree you will work for it rather than expecting others to pay for it.
Posted by: Monica | October 19, 2010 at 01:26 PM
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION...this is all I hear.
Ok people,, one more time...YOU voted for the casino's, You voted for all the idiots who work for our state, that control our money, etc, etc.,
Seriously,,,if YOU went to one of our trust-worth and honest city or state officials,,(example) Mayor, District Att, police jury, etc., and asked them to help you in any way, shape or form,, do you really think they will give you money, help with your home, feed you kids, fix your car, or hell, buy you a car, pay for doctor bills,,,what do you think they would do? Pay it? HELL NO.
So why do you people vote for these idiots. Because you know one of them, related to one of them, dated one of them.
You are the idiot for that one vote you gave that person, so SHUT THE HELL UP AND STOP COMPLAINING ON SOMETHING YOU ALL DID
Posted by: HAHA to you idiots | October 19, 2010 at 01:43 PM
income tax should not be raised even for education. LA's education is FULL of fat in Baton Rouge and can trim more than enough to pay for this. ABSOLUTELY NO on tax increase for any reason
Posted by: jcm | October 19, 2010 at 05:14 PM
no i would not support raising taxes to pay for higher education, its hard enough for graduates to find a job, i think high school should be extended 2 years to allow students to graduate with an associates degree.
Posted by: roger | October 19, 2010 at 05:16 PM
No we should not have to pay more taxes let tthe government employees take a cut in pay. If they cant pay the bills something is wrong.
Posted by: Gay Mahaffey | October 19, 2010 at 05:17 PM
Les Miles makes 3.75 million dollars and we are seriously talking about cutting education or raising taxes. Exactly what are the priorities in this state. Last time I looked at LSU's mission statement, making the football coach rich wasn't mentioned. Oddly enough it was all about education!
Posted by: T | October 19, 2010 at 05:22 PM
So far total agreement in all the resounding NO'S to any tax increases. Our state lawmakers in many positions have pork fat special projects everywhere, cut those first. I am tired of working for my whole check to go for someone else's education, for buildings on a campus, for supporting sports of which I have never been involved. To pay for someone else's medical care when I can barely pay for insurance to cover my health care. NO ONE handed me anything free, have worked for my whole life, not lived off of someone else. I paid my college tuition to get a degree, let all of them pay for that tuition by hard work. Cut medicare , it should only be for those that are truly unable to help themselves. Way too many on medicare using ER's for regular visits that they get for free anyhow at regular doctors. Way too many on welfare that should be off of it. Welfare is creating and has created a way to live immorally,heck, you can get that free money by lying, having illegitimate kids, living together unmarried, etc. Sick of all this.
Posted by: janice fontenot | October 19, 2010 at 05:28 PM
NO TAX FOR HIGHER EDUCATION,STOP GIVEN FREE RIDES FOR MEN AND WOMEN THAT GOES TO SCHOOL JUST TO PLAY SPORT. HOW ABOUT STAFF MEMBER THAT HAS CHILDREN AND ONLY PAY VERY LITTLE DUE TO THE FACT THEIR PARENTS ARE ON STAFF AND GET A BREAK. WHEN DOES THE MEN AND WOMEN PAYS BACK THE SCHOOL FOR 4 YEARS FREE RIDE AT SCHOOL. WHEN A FORMER JOCK COMES TO MSU WE TREAT THEM LIKE THEY ARE SPECIAL BUT THEY USE THE SYSTEM TO GET A FREE EDUCATION. WHEN HARD WORKIN PARENTS CAN NOT GET A GRANT FOR THEIR CHILDREN HOW ABOUT SENDING STUDENT TO WATCH A PLAY IN CHINA. NO TAX FOR HIGHER EDUCATION
Posted by: billy | October 19, 2010 at 05:31 PM
Live like the rest of us do ! Within your bugget! Or resign your position! No excusses. CUT GOVERMENT DOWN TO SIZE, Before we the people throw your Butts in the street!
Posted by: Charlie | October 19, 2010 at 08:23 PM