Governor Jindal Talks About His Tax Reform Plan in Monroe

Governor Bobby Jindal addressed a crowd at the Monroe Civic Center Friday focusing on his plan to eliminate the state's income tax this legislative session.
Jindal says he wants to make Louisiana a better place to raise families -- and wants the state to grow the jobs to keep those families here.  That's why he says eliminating the state's income tax will be his top priority this upcoming legislative session. 
"Our state sales tax would still be lower than our neighboring states, 24th lowest in the country, lower than MS, AR and in TX, people would have more money to go shopping, use on their house, cars, clothing"
 Jindal says there's no downside to eliminating the state's income tax.  He says it's too complex and is unfair
 "Folks that are criticizing this, they don't want to pay their fair share, the average person doesn't have lawyers and lobbyists.  In 2011 we actually gave money back to companies .. corporate income tax, that makes no sense"
 The governor says eliminating income taxes would:
-make everyone pay their fair share
-give more control to the taxpayer
-make la the best place to start a business
-bring more stability in funding for government services
 Jindal adds that food, prescription drugs and utilities would be protected from increased sales taxes.
"Over the last decade, 60% of the new jobs created in 9 states that had no income tax, those states grew faster than the rest of the country.. that's what we want for Louisiana."
Monroe Chamber of Commerce President Sue Nicholson says her group will be watching the legislation closely, and will issue their position as more information becomes available during the session
"Louisiana's tax code is pretty complex, anything we can do to simplify that is an intriguing opportunity" said Sue Nicholson with the Monroe Chamber of Commerce.
 State Senator Mike Walworth says the tax plan sounds like a good idea -- but he wants to see more details, as well
 "It's a big deal over in TX we all know that .... but haven't seen the legislation yet that's gonna make a lot of difference" said Sen. Mike Walsworth.
 The legislative session is set to begin April 8.