Issue Position: Louisiana State Budget

Issue Position

I need to learn more about Louisiana's gaming taxation laws, and laws governing collection and disposition of fees (LA RS 27:92 & 93; RS 27:204; RS 27:270, etc.)
Currently, the majority of gaming tax revenue is remitted to the State's General Fund. Monies are appropriated from the fund each year at the direction of the legislature and used to pay for public education, public retirement systems, non-discretionary spending, and state capital improvements, among other things. I believe that "non-discretionary" spending should be subject to rigorous review, debate, and prioritization against other governmental functions.
Commercial casino gaming consumer spending in Louisiana in 2016 and 2017 was $2,537,612,213 and $2,561,260,151, respectively. This indicates an increase in consumer spending at casinos of 0.93% during this time. During those same two years, commercial casino direct gaming tax revenue was only $604,827,209 and $602,458,550, respectively, indicating a decrease in tax revenue of 0.93%. I believe that the formula for gaming taxation needs to be more closely monitored by the State Legislature, the Louisiana Gaming Control Board, and its associated entities as set forth in State law.
I support rigorous review, debate, and prioritization of state "non-discretionary" spending against other governmental functions. According to LABI, hundreds of millions of dollars in Louisiana's budget divert State General Funds for a specific purpose, leaving higher education and healthcare exposed for reductions during times of deficit. This is simply unacceptable.

Source