Louisiana Senate Bill SB213

Louisiana 2019 Regular Session

• Introduced: 3/27/19
• Refer: 3/27/19
• Refer: 4/8/19

Caption

Provides relative to tax and tax renewal elections in parishes within certain populations. (gov sig)

Impact

The bill introduces a change in the existing taxation process by requiring a localized approval for parish taxes impacting specific municipalities. This reflects an effort to uphold local governance by ensuring that residents directly affected by tax decisions have the power to approve or reject such measures. However, the bill excludes taxes that fund critical services such as law enforcement and emergency medical services from needing local approval, implying an acknowledgment of the importance of these services at a parish level.

Summary

Senate Bill 213, proposed by Senator White, addresses the procedures for tax and tax renewal elections specifically in parishes with populations over 400,000. The bill stipulates that for a tax or tax renewal to be effective within a municipality in these parishes, it must be approved by a majority of the municipal voters participating in the election. This measure is meant to ensure that local electors have a direct say in taxation that may impact them, thereby enhancing local control over fiscal matters.

Sentiment

Debate around SB 213 appears to reflect a mix of support and contention. Proponents believe that empowering local voters can lead to more responsive governance and taxation aligned with the communities' needs. Conversely, some critics argue that the bill could complicate the tax renewal process, potentially disrupting essential funding for parishes while risking a fragmentation of financial management across larger populations.

Contention

Key points of contention include concerns over the bill's potential impact on tax revenues for essential services and whether the requirement for local approval may deter voters from participating in elections. Critics worry that the bill may allow for disproportionate influence from motivated voter blocs, leading to inequities in how services are funded across different regions, particularly in densely populated urban areas.