forgotston.com

The “Roads Scholar” was in Jefferson Parish on Wednesday regaling the citizens with his exploits.

According to a report by WVUE-TV in New Orleans ( story here), “The Roads Scholar” made the following pronouncements:

Governor Bobby Jindal said …that he will veto any tax increases lawmakers approve during the upcoming legislative session. (emphasis mine)

Jindal said he expects some lawmakers to try to raise taxes given the state’s money problems.

“The Scholar” really knows how to string words together. Unfortunately, they don’t always have much meaning.

Being a “conservative” “The Scholar” will certainly conserve a lot of ink in the veto pen as there will be no taxes to veto.

New taxes and tax increases are prohibited by the state constitution from even being considered, much less enacted, during the “upcoming legislative session.”

Taxes vs. fees

When it comes to extracting money from the citizens, “The Scholar”, apparently, differentiates between “taxes” and “fees” when it comes to raising money for state government.  As a practical matter, in Louisiana that is a difference with a distinction.

“The Scholar” opposes tax increases, but supports fee increases which CAN be raised in the upcoming legislative session.

For example, “The Scholar” supports the current increases in the cost of our driver’s license, college tuition and charges for use of the state parks and historic sites among other involuntary extractions from our wallets.

Suggestion

It would benefit The Scholar’s postgraduate education if between church services and fundraisers he would take a few minutes to skim through the Louisiana Constitution of 1974.

If he does, the next time he entertains us, he may actually enlighten us.

A tip of the hat to a member of the Crack Mullet Research Team who caught the comments.

C.B.