On Tuesday, the State Senate had an opportunity to give us a significant State Personal Income Tax break with SB 87 by Sen. Buddy Shaw, R-Shreveport.

Instead they followed the dictates of Governor Bobby Jindal and loaded-up SB 87 with a “poison pill” amendment (to repeal the entire State Personal Income Tax) which is the same as killing our tax break.

It’s an old trick by our elected representatives, but it is an effective one. They will give you all types of excuses, but the bottom-line is unless Governor Jindal backs off of his opposition to the tax break, it’s dead.

The “poison pill” amendment passed by one vote 19 to 18. Thus, every vote in favor of the amendment was the fatal vote.

The names of those who voted for the “poison pill” amendment are as follows:

Senators Alario, Broome, Cassidy, Chaisson, Dorsey, Nick Gautreaux, Gray, Hebert, Heitmeier, Jackson, LaFleur, Marionneaux, McPherson, Murray, Nevers, Scalise, Shepherd, Smith, Thompson

The legislation was finally approved by the Senate and sent to the House where it will die a slow death.

C.B.