Some good tax news finally

[Alan S]

NEW ORLEANS -- It hasn't changed since 1982: Louisiana's homestead exemption, which says homeowners don't have to pay taxes on the first $75,000 of a home's value.

"We think inflation has deteriorated the value of the homestead exemption,” said Alario, who represents Westwego. “People's tax bills have gone up consequently, so we think it ought to be some adjustment."

Alario wants to increase the exemption, which he says homeowners deserve. Past efforts have failed, but Alario plans to try again by introducing a bill during the legislative session in April.

"It ought to be somewhere between $150,000 - $160,000,” he said. “We're hoping to find some compromise to make it work and people will get some fair adjustment in this basis."

The story goes on to tell about support of an online petition that's spreading quickly. I guess those things do get used, even though I usually delete them from my email box.

[kensafishin]

I hope this goes statewide.

[kbrance07]

I heard the same thing the other day on the radio. A group named "For Better Louisiana" ( I think) stated that Louisiana has the highest Home Stead Exemption in the country and it would not be a good idea to raise it at this time as the tax burden would be passed onto small and large business.

[fishin couillon]

I got the email at work the other day. My co worker said he couldn't get it signed for 30 mins. due to everybody tryin to submit their signatures. You know how these state politicians are, they give you a break in one place and raise taxes/fees in another. Trust me, they won't be losing money if they do that.

[BARRY J]

I would rather the homestead exemption go away and lower the millage. That way, everybody would pay some. The way it is now, businesses pay the majority of taxes, that is why no one wants to move their company here. Have you ever noticed the large trucks on the road with local company names on the doors and out of state license plates?

[Alan S]

<TABLE WIDTH="90%" CELLSPACING=0 CELLPADDING=0 ALIGN=CENTER><TR><TD>Quote, originally posted by BARRY J &raquo;</TD></TR><TR><TD CLASS="quote"> The way it is now, businesses pay the majority of taxes, that is why no one wants to move their company here.</TD></TR></TABLE>

LA is only 1 of 2 states that is LOSING people (population is falling) because of kids graduating and moving out of state. And this has been going on LONG before Katrina. If the businesses can't make it here, they'll move where it's more business friendly.

[fishin couillon]

Yeah, people keep moving and they keep taxing us more. They know everything........