Well, howdy there, Internet people, it's Bell again.

So today, we're going to talk about taxing the poor to feed the rich in Louisiana.

Louisiana has altered its tax code, and the big change is that income and corporate taxes were reduced and sales tax was increased. People might see that as a

wash, but who ends up paying a higher percentage of their income? Those who live paycheck to paycheck.

Surprise, the rich went again. Already before they passed the changes, the lowest 20% of income earners in the state paid the

highest percentage of their incomes in state and local taxes. According to the Institute on

Taxation and Economic Policy, the lowest 20% paid 13.1% of their family income to state and local taxes. Keep in mind,

over the last 10 years, Louisiana's poverty rate has fluctuated between 18.6% and 20.2%. So the

lowest 20% of income earners are families making less than $18,800 per year.

The legislature approved a flat income tax of 3%, which created a $1.3 billion cut in revenue for the state.

Now the corporate tax rate is going to be a flat 5.5%. The companies in the

top tax bracket were paying 7.5%. So the companies, with the most income, get a hefty cut in their

tax rate. They also got rid of a 0.275% franchise tax,

which generated about half a billion for the state.

The state's sales tax was going to be at 4%

when a temporary addition of almost half a percent went away next year. Instead of the reduction,

it will now go up to 5%. Republican Representative Julie Emerson said, quote, income tax is a mandate.

You have to pay it. You get punished for making more money. Then added that, quote, sales tax is a choice. I know that

sounds very strange, but the logic is that you don't have to spend money. And this is where the problem

arises. Those with lower incomes don't get to save money. They spend their money because they have to. They're

barely making ends meet. It's expensive to be poor. It's not a choice for them. So the rich

will pay lower income tax and save it, or in the case of a lot of companies, send the money

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