22-03-2025
Louisiana Commissioner calls constitutional amendment #2 ‘foolish'
SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS) — Louisiana Commissioner Foster Campbell calls the upcoming constitutional amendment #2 'foolish' to fund teacher pay raises by destroying a savings account that benefits public and private schools.
Louisiana voters will vote on four amendments on March 29. However, Louisiana Public Service Commissioner Campbell says Amendment #2 is 'irresponsible' and will 'destroy' the savings account that has funded schools for over 30 years.
According to an independent study, 'Amendment two would double the standard individual income tax deduction for anyone 65 and older and lower the cap on the overall individual income tax rate that can be charged.'
According to Campbell, he helped allocate $500,000 of casino tax revenue to create the Bossier Educational Excellence Fund 'BEEF.'
Campbell says thanks to BEEF, the Bossier Parish School Board helped secure the casino revenue to invest each year towards classrooms that need essential supplies to pay for computers, art supplies, and other classroom enhancements.
Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana states, 'A vote yes would rewrite large portions of the Louisiana Constitution article dealing with revenue collections, the state budget process, savings accounts, and taxation rules.' A no vote would keep the current rules and limitations on tax breaks.
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Campbell says, 'BEEF was my model for the Louisiana Educational Excellence Fund. With help from my fellow Democrat Randy Ewing and Republican colleagues, including John Hainkel and Jay Dardenne, the Legislature dedicated $1 billion of the $4-billion Tobacco Settlement to the EEF.'
He says the BEEF fund now has a balance of $482 million, which will help pay for classroom essentials each year.
Additionally, Campbell states, 'During my 27-year Senate tenure, I recognized the challenges faced by our teachers and voted for every teacher pay raise. Our teachers today need better pay, but it is foolish to fund raises by destroying a savings account that yields continuing benefits each year for school children in our public and private schools.'
He ends the news release telling voters, 'Don't fool with a good thing.'
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