What changes would the constitutional amendments bring about on the November ballot

Early voting begins Saturday and while there are a few local elections there are four constitutional amendments on everyone’s ballot. Public Affairs Research Council President Robert Travis Scott said Amendment One would streamline sales tax collection in the state.

“Create a single authority that will come together, protect the locals’ interest, and do the sales collection and remittance back to the right government authorities. That’s really what it does,” said Scott.

Amendment Two is one that will impact all taxpayers in the state. Scott said this amendment is considered real tax reform because it removes the ability to deduct federal taxes paid on your state taxes.

“But in doing that it also lowers the rates of taxation so you’re going to have a much simpler, more fair, more stable kind of tax system if pass number two,” said Scott.

Scott said Amendment Three applies to about five levee districts in the state, however, it requires a statewide vote to allow those districts created after 2006 but before October of 2021 to levy an annual tax not to exceed five mills to that will go towards maintaining levees.

“Basically, it boils down to a sort of localized sales tax when you get right down to it. But it really only affects five levee districts in southern Louisiana,” said Scott.

Amendment Four allows the governor to transfer more dedicated funds to fix a state budget deficit. Scott said currently five percent of dedicated funds can be redirected, a vote in favor of the amendment raises it to ten percent.

“People who are in favor of it say it will help protect vital programs in the state and people who would not be happy with this amendment would say well it just sets you up to spend more money than you really have,” said Scott.

Early voting continues until November 6^th with the exclusion of Sunday, October 31^st and the election is November 13^th.