Louisiana governor Bobby Jindal will no longer pursue completely eliminating Louisiana’s income tax this session, although he remains committed to pushing forward a plan that will gradually eliminate the income tax. From his speech as prepared for delivery yesterday:
And here is what I’ve heard from you, and from the people of Louisiana – yes, we do want to get rid of the income tax, but Governor you’re moving too fast, and we aren’t sure that your plan is the best way to do it.
So I’ve thought about that. It certainly wasn’t the reaction I was hoping to hear.
And I’m now going to give you my response, and it’s not going to be the kind of response people are accustomed to hearing from politicians.
Here is my response – OK, I hear you.
So I am now going to park my tax plan.
Now, to be clear, I still like my plan, but I recognize that success requires give and take.
And I recognize that in this instance I need to be the one who gives…so that we can have the chance to achieve success.
But I’m not going to pout, I’m not going to take my ball and go home.
Already, several of you have filed plans that phase out the income tax.
So, let’s work together to pass a bill this session to get rid of our state income tax.
Louisiana politicos were doubtful that Jindal would be able to pull off eliminating the income tax in one fell swoop; it appears they were right. But if he is able to pass a bill that gradually lowers the income tax and then finally eliminates it, he can point to that as a result achieved.