re: Did JBE create the financial shortfall?

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From a college /university stand point, Louisiana has entirely too(FIFY) many 4 year college's. Look at the number of junior colleges our neighbors have. They are operated at a much cheaper rate and allows students to get their BS classes out of the way. Tennessee is making JC tuition free for in state students and they do not have a state tax. Maybe we should elect some of them down here, instead of all the idiots we have, Democrats and Republicans! !!

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While TN doesn't have a a typical state income tax, it does have other revenue streams. Tennessee state government does not impose tax on wages earned but rather, taxes individuals on dividends and bond interests if the total amount exceeds $1250 for single filers ($2500 for married couples) it is called a Halls Tax. The tax rate is 6% I believe.

Additionally they still have a state corporate income tax, and tourism brought in $3.8 billion just last year. There is a tourism tax in the state that offsets the personal income tax that we pay in Louisiana. The towns of Gatlinburg and Pigeon Forge alone bring in the majority of that. As for the free JC, it is essentially set up like TOPs is. Make the grades in the correct courses in High School, and get state paid tuition. Note that I did not say "free" tuition. However, since they limit it to 2 year colleges, they are saving money compared to TOPS since we pay for all four years.

Edited to fix a typo!