Amendment could fix loophole in taxes

Early voting starts Oct 10 for the fall election and the election ballot will have an amendment to the Louisiana Constitution that affects all parishes in the state of Louisiana. 

Amendment No. 4 is a Constitutional Amendment that (if approved by a majority of voters) would clarify the state law to read “Out of State Companies” are not tax exempt from property taxes. 

In 2014, West Carroll Parish was ordered by the court to refund $407,031.74, and East Carroll was ordered to pay $120,372.46 that was being held in escrow to Memphis Light & Gas, due to a four-year lawsuit, ruling in their favor.

These were ad valorem taxes Memphis Light & Gas owed for storing gas in West Carroll and East Carroll Parish from 2009 to 2013.  The 2nd Circuit Court ruled that the Louisiana Constitution did not clarify who was tax exempt.

The proposed constitutional amendment No 4, which was put on the ballot through the work of State Representative Charles “Bubba” Chaney of Rayville states:  

“Do you support an amendment to specify that the ad valorem property tax exemption for public lands and other public property shall not apply to land or property owned by another state or a political subdivision of another state?”

“It is very important that the voters of Louisiana understand how crucial it is this amendment passes,” Richland Parish Assessor Lee Brown said. “Voting yes will amend the Louisiana Constitution and protect our Parishes.  If the amendment fails, parishes are subject to lose ad valorem taxes.”