[StBernard] Why the Homestead Exemption Must Go - nonsense

[Westley Annis]

Jer,

I would not eliminate the Homestead Exemption without reducing taxes some
place, making it "revenue neutral", to use the popular term.

But, my point is still, the Homestead Exemption is becoming a farce. Local
governments have found ways around it and the higher it gets, the more they
will use these alternative methods to tax you and also ask Baton Rouge for
help, which leads to more problems.

The more they turn to Baton Rouge, the more power the state legislature has
over local government. Do you really want someone from Shreveport making
decisions about what happens in St. Bernard?

See the next email, my reply to John, for a few more details.

Westley

-----Original Message-----

Jer Responds:

This is utter non-sense and tripe about the notion of any elimination of
homestead exemption.

If you can't think of one simple reason here's one (and many): 

The people love their homestead exemption. The younger ones don't quite
understand, but for most older citizens, it's not only a way of life, it's
the only golden parachute they have as they leave the workforce where for
most, incomes have dwindled and for many without social security and haven't
put in their sufficient, obligated number of quarters, they won't get their
income (as many spouses weren't in the workforce from before 1980 or so.
Thus when their spouse is not around any longer, this is their "tax break".
For those who work, they get continuous tax breaks. None for the social
security side. And now, that OB1 has eliminated "cost of living/inflationary
help to supplement their SS for the next few years, nothing is needed most
to give them a hand.

When one who has a steady income starts to disturb the "sacred cow" enjoyed
by the seniors, it's a sign of desensitivity about their welfare.

I'd also argue that it not only needs to stay alive, but needs to be
increased to allow for the severe inflation over the past 40 yrs which has
kept it at such a low rate at 75K presently. Many lawmakers and their
constituents agree to this. Perhaps there is an agreement to be reached at
somewhere between $150K and 75K for the time being until the economy fully
recovers.

Touching the homestead exemption for the poor, elderly and unemployed in St.
Bernard and other communities in Louisiana would be the equivalent to
depriving them of equality attainment in America. Louisiana has one of the
lowest per capita incomes in the country. Removing it is not only a slap in
the face, but would help exacerbate more elderly in the struggle to stay
afloat with already high-taxation in the country and more. We can't compare
this state to other, more prosperous and households who make more money
because it cannot be matched with homeowners who don't have the same
education and opportunities as the more affluent states.

Don't go there.

If taxation must come, it must not be on the backs of the elderly and
disadvantaged who have little say of their future.

We can see the frustration and how disturbing it is already in any
discussion which affects the seniors. One good gauge to notice is the
elderly who went to arms practically at the townhouse meetings recently.
They know that Changing America in the direction of fooling with their
social security future and other financial matters which affect them will
lead to a "gray army" that would literally bite at the chance to change
politicians who believe in that type of nonsense..

...and the notion that Louisiana's homestead exemption elimination would be
removed from one of the last vestiges of relief that they'll receive in
taxation abomination.

No more rhetoric. It's the holy grail that won't be taken away lightly.

=---jer--=