Apparently ‘sin’ taxes on cigarettes is the answer to Louisiana’s budget woes according to The Advocate and Representative Karen Peterson, Democrat, who has introduced HB 75.
The Advocate has gone so far as to claim that ‘sin’ taxes are literally political taxes, in that cuts to education in our state are less desirable than charging ‘sinners’ more taxes. Quite humorous given The Advocate’s disdain for anything Christian in political races. How convenient!
Did The Advocate notice that another legislator, Democrat Senator Cheryl Gray, introduced SB 226 designed to spend the first $250,000 of the cigarette ‘sin’ tax annually on technology?
It’s no coincidence that Rep. Peterson and Sen. Gray are working together on tax and spend projects. Just last year they joined forces in a joint press conference to discuss projects that Peterson would locate funding for and Gray would quickly spend. A great team of democrat tax and spend liberals!
The problem with any tax that is levied or raised is that it gives the false assumption there will be more money to pay down debt. The truth is that it gives lawmakers the impetus to spend more money proven by the Peterson-Gray spendthrift duo.
Any knowledgeable person is aware that government budgets must be spent in their entirety in order for an agency to receive funding the following year. There is always a frenzy to spend ‘the last of this year’s budget’ by agencies between October and December so they can re-justify their budget for the following year.
It’s simple: If you spend less, then you have proved you need less to operate. This is never the goal of an agency.
While sugarplums are dancing in their heads over increased tax dollars, we the people, are still looking for government spending to be streamlined. We are not desiring more taxes, but less taxes, less spending, less government.
A new concept: Senator Jack Donahue, Republican, has introduced SB 261 intended to streamline state government. This bill is more in line with the thinking of voters. It calls for streamlining, eliminating, privatizing, consolidating, and outsourcing, if necessary, governmental agency’s functions in order to be more effective and to cut spending.
Alas, a voice of reason!
SB 261 further provides that an assessment be made of governmental agencies to ensure they are meeting or exceeding performance standards to meet the needs of Louisiana residents. Accountability . . . a refreshing concept!
Cost efficiency, alternative resources and specific guidelines would be required in order to measure the efficiency of programs, services, functions and agency activities. It calls for a Commission designed to streamline government functions and expenditures. Bravo!
No wonder The Advocate endorses a ‘sin’ tax – they endorse our spendthrift liberal tax and spend Mayor, Kip Holden, as well as his bond issue to tax millions of dollars for generations to come. Perhaps they should take a lesson from Senator Donahue and line up with taxpayers who long for true leadership and direction that cries out for government reform vs more spending and taxes?
If we continue to do the same thing, we will get the same result.
Until next time,
Red Stick Republican
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