09/2012 - Tax Break or Tax Broken: Louisiana’s Tax Exemptions Survey

Tax Break or Tax Broken: Louisiana’s Tax Exemptions

1. Louisiana offers numerous tax breaks to both individuals and corporations, many with the intention of encouraging economic development and creating jobs. How important do you think reducing taxes on businesses is to the economy?

Louisiana offers numerous tax breaks to both individuals and corporations, many with the intention of encouraging economic development and creating jobs. How important do you think reducing taxes on businesses is to the economy? Very important

Somewhat important

Slightly important

Not at all important

Don’t know/Refused

2. And how important do you think providing tax incentives for companies to open or expand new facilities in Louisiana is to the economy?

And how important do you think providing tax incentives for companies to open or expand new facilities in Louisiana is to the economy? Very important

Somewhat important

Slightly important

Not at all important

Don’t know/Refused

3. State law does not require agencies that administer tax credits to track their return on investment. Lawmakers do receive periodic indicators of a tax credit’s performance from the Legislative Auditor. Which of the following best represents your opinion:

State law does not require agencies that administer tax credits to track their return on investment. Lawmakers do receive periodic indicators of a tax credit’s performance from the Legislative Auditor. Which of the following best represents your opinion: I would support a law that required agencies that administer tax credits to track their return on investment, even if it duplicates some of the work of the Legislative Auditor.

I oppose creating a new law to track the return on investment of tax credits since it duplicates something that is already partially being done.

4. The state offers Film Tax Credits to attract movie makers to Louisiana. Since the expansion of the credit in 2002, an estimated 118 films were produced in the state up from only one film in 2002. But a recent economic analysis indicates that for every dollar of revenue the state received, the state paid out more than $7 in credits.
Which of the following best represents your opinion on the film tax credit:

The state offers Film Tax Credits to attract movie makers to Louisiana. Since the expansion of the credit in 2002, an estimated 118 films were produced in the state up from only one film in 2002. But a recent economic analysis indicates that for every dollar of revenue the state received, the state paid out more than $7 in credits. Which of the following best represents your opinion on the film tax credit: it should be eliminated, despite attracting business to the state.

it should remain the same since it generates jobs.

it should be reduced so that the state doesn’t pay out as much.

5. Currently it takes a two-thirds vote of both houses in Louisiana’s legislature to repeal or reduce a tax credit while cuts to spending require a majority. Would you favor changing this?

Currently it takes a two-thirds vote of both houses in Louisiana’s legislature to repeal or reduce a tax credit while cuts to spending require a majority. Would you favor changing this? Yes

6. Here is a list of things that state government might do to improve the economy within the state of Louisiana. Please check how important you think each item is to the overall state economy. Very important, somewhat important, slightly important, not at all important.

Investing in research and development:

Here is a list of things that state government might do to improve the economy within the state of Louisiana. Please check how important you think each item is to the overall state economy. Very important, somewhat important, slightly important, not at all important. Investing in research and development: Very important

Somewhat important

Slightly important

Not at all important

Don't Know/Refused

7. What about the state sales tax, would you say that the state sales tax is too high and needs to be reduced, too low and needs to be increased, or just about right?

What about the state sales tax, would you say that the state sales tax is too high and needs to be reduced, too low and needs to be increased, or just about right? Too high and need to be reduced

Too low and need to be increased

Just about right

Don't Know/Refused

8. What about local property taxes, would you say local property taxes are too high and need to be reduced, too low and need to be increased, or just about right?

What about local property taxes, would you say local property taxes are too high and need to be reduced, too low and need to be increased, or just about right? Too high and need to be reduced

Too low and need to be increased

Just about right

Don't know/Refused