Letter: Jindal tax plan would hurt business

I hope our state legislators will defeat Gov. Bobby Jindal’s proposed state sales tax hike. Presidential candidate Mitt Romney told us how the Republican Party does not care for the poorer 47 percent of the population, and now we know our governor is of the same thinking and not really out to reform the way the party thinks. Gov. Jindal brags about all the great industry that he has attracted to Louisiana under our current tax structure, and now he says it is a hindrance to attract industry.

He was against raising taxes on cigarettes, now he is for it. I wonder if his tax proposal is really to do his rich corporate friends a favor, so they will contribute to his future political campaigns, at the expense of the vast number of poor and working people in our state.

Additionally, from my point of view as a retailer, it will encourage many consumers, especially for major financial purchases, to shop on line from out-of-state vendors to save the exorbitant sales tax. This hurts local retail workers and local sales tax collections.

I hope the state legislators will defeat Gov. Jindal’s injurious tax proposal.

For the record, I am a registered Republican.

DAVID RUBENSTEIN

merchant

New Orleans

Comments

1) Comment by DMJ - 18/02/2013

Texas has high property taxes. Anyone think the good people of the various parishes and municipalities will vote to raise their own property taxes? Me neither. Anyone think our Republican-led state legislature will raise property taxes statewide? Me neither.

2) Comment by agagent - 18/02/2013

Romney said 47% who do not pay income taxes will likely vote for Obama and that is likely to be true. Many who are not paying any taxes called for higher taxes on the rich, in their warped view of fairness, even if it hurt the economy. The tax base is shrinking as dependency on the government increases. States with no income taxes are more competitive in attracting new businesses and new jobs. For example, we are currently losing jobs to Texas.

3) Comment by DMJ - 18/02/2013

"I wonder if his tax proposal is really to do his rich corporate friends a favor, so they will contribute to his future political campaigns, at the expense of the vast number of poor and working people in our state." You think?

4) Comment by swinham - 18/02/2013

Mr. Rubenstein makes good points about the effect of increased sales taxes on business, particularly on big ticket items. However, he should know the governor has now backed away from everything but elimination of income and franchise taxes. The legislature will be left with the sole responsibility for making up the difference through taxes, cuts in spending, or a combination of both. Governor Jindal can wash his hands of the whole thing by pointing out he has suggested many alternatives and if the legislature picks the wrong ones, it's their problem. Unfortunately, it will actually be OUR PROBLEM.

5) Comment by jdk944 - 18/02/2013

Mr. Rubenstein, so you are a "so called" Registered Republican who doesn't even get what Mitt Romney said about the 47% correct!! Really?? Takes care of any credibility you have on the topic you wrote on!!

6) Comment by arin - 18/02/2013

You people really do not listen or do research.

7) Comment by Bighug - 18/02/2013

I was also a Repulican at one time. When people like Jindal and the Tea Party took over, I registered as an Independent.