re: LA sales tax is highest in the nation

Higher sales taxes and lower property taxes makes sense for LA because of our tourist industry. Everybody who visits pays taxes to us instead of only the ones who live here.

Here in Montana, we have no sales tax (Whitefish has a 3% resort tax, only such kind in the state) and our income tax is 6.9%

That's the thing...they're not making that much off of oil and gas taxes. The state gave more tax credits to industry than it actually took in for taxes.

Oh, industry also doesn't pay as much sales tax as the rest of us because of the state's "further processing exception" and they don't pay a dime in property taxes to the state in their first 10 years of plant operation. And then the income tax credits kick in. It's bullshite. They have a giant industrial tax base they could tap into, but instead they'd rather float the bill to the people by a sales tax increase.

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I'm so sick of this myth. I've driven through all but 4 states now. Trust me, our roads are better than the national average.

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This seems like a nonsense statement to me. I haven't been to nearly that many states but every one I've been in has better roads on average. Our neighbors Texas and Mississippi are far better. I have very little experience in Arkansas but those few were better than the north Louisiana roads I just got off of. Alabama and Florida are at least a little better. The areas I've driven in Oregon, Washington (minimal), Alaska, and Rhode Island are better. The area of Massachusetts I spent time in (Seakonk) was about on par with Louisiana, probably marginally better but the signage was far worse.

I honestly think that much of this is due to the ground/soil composition of south Louisiana. My understanding is that most of Louisiana South of about Alexandria is primarily deposition buildup and is considerably less stable of a base for roads than most of the country. I find the roads in much of North Louisiana are better than south Louisiana and seem to require much less maintenance/repair.

State taxes are collected 3 major ways:

1. Sales taxes
2. Income taxes
3. Property taxes

There are some cities with a 4th tax of a local income tax, too.

For your comparisons, I offer what Alabama's are: (estimates)

1. Sales tax = 9%
2. income tax = ~5%
3. Property tax = (lowest in country)~ $400- $1400 on a $200k house, depending on municipality. Car tags and taxes= $100 on $15k car.

Sales tax is so high because property tax is the bottom three lowest every year.

La has the highest homestead exemption in the nation, making it the lowest tax burdened state when it comes to property taxes.

Care to enlighten on your specific tax burden (or Orleans)? How about some substance instead of a whiny retard comeback.

You know who you can give credit . Dear sweet Mary,.

Good roads and a stellar education system are expensive.