Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2012-09-26

Duration: 00:58:10

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Tax exemptions | Tax reform | Taxes | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT

Contributors:

• Courtney, Beth Host
• Scott, Robert Travis Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Robideaux, Joel Interviewee
• Mathis, Tim Interviewee
• Wesley, Erin Monroe Interviewee
• Zito, Tommy Speaker
• Stewart, Alma Speaker
• Wascom, Kathy Speaker
• Torres, Felix Speaker
• Torres, Ellie Speaker
• Toodi, Uday Speaker
• Farris, William, Jr. Speaker
• Landry, Judy Speaker
• Thomas, Matt Speaker
• Bertolette, William Speaker
• Losey, Gary Speaker
• French, Brad Speaker
• Robideaux, Joel Panelist
• Moller, Jan Panelist
• Moret, Stephen Panelist
• DeCuir, Jason Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from September 26, 2012, features Robert Travis Scott leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the ongoing review of the state’s tax exemptions. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with State Representative Joel Robideaux, Tim Mathis of the Louisiana Budget Project, and Erin Monroe Wesley of the Louisiana Industrial Development Executives Association. The audience members then discuss whether the state has too many tax exemptions, which tax exemptions should be eliminated, and business tax incentives. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: State Representative Joel Robideaux, the chairman of the Revenue Study Commission; Jan Moller, director of the Louisiana Budget Project; Secretary Stephen Moret of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development; and Jason DeCuir, Assistant Secretary for the Louisiana Department of Revenue. They discuss: the best possible outcome of the review of the state’s tax exemptions; the need to simplify Louisiana’s tax code; industrial tax exemptions; justifying tax exemptions when the state is cutting vital services, like health care and higher education; severance tax exemptions; business incentives for economic development; the state’s enterprise zone; the tax exemptions they would like to see eliminated; and tracking the impact of tax exemptions. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Robert Travis Scott