There has been a lot of motion, but little action when it comes to addressing the tax that people in Louisiana have been saddled with on their Homeowners’ Insurance policies to pay for the debt of the Citizens Fund Insurance. We know that the state is anticipating a surplus from the 2005-06 Fiscal Year and a revenue windfall in the 2006-07 Fiscal Year. The question is how to use that money to eliminate the excessive tax on homeowners. I’ve heard all kinds of reasons from legislators and others why the surplus money can’t be used to pay off the bonded debt. So I’ve come up with a plan of action.
Forget the bonds. Forget what a surplus can and can’t be used to fund. Simply give the citizens their money back.
During the 2007 Regular Session, enact tax credits or rebates to anyone who has been forced to pay the extra tax. The credits can be in the form of Personal Income Tax or other taxes owed the state (dollar for dollar) retroactive to January, 2006. For those who owe no state taxes, but still are paying the homeowners’ tax, they can simply submit an application to the Louisiana Department of Revenue proving that they paid the homeowners’ tax and receive a dollar for dollar rebate from the state.
Bottom-line surpluses belong to the people. They should be used to benefit the people and not just government.
Finally, while the legislators are in the section of the law dealing with the personal income tax credit, they can reinstate the casualty loss deduction for Hurricanes Katrina and Rita victims that was taken away by the “Stelly Plan.”.
If you like my plan, let the governor and legislators know. If you don’t like my plan, come up with one of your own. But let’s stop the motion and start the action.
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