MANDEVILLE, LA – Leaders of the Republican Party Executive Committee (RPEC) of St. Tammany Parish are urging GOP lawmakers to continue resisting revenue-generating measures proposed by Gov. John Bel Edwards in the ongoing Special Session.
"Our legislators are under a great deal of pressure from a variety of sources," said RPEC Chairman Larry Frieman. "We have been monitoring legislative action since the first Special Session began in February, and are encouraged that most in our delegation have stood firm in opposition to taxes. As the second Special Session enters its final days, we ask them to continue holding the line. As Republicans, they were elected to represent conservative principles, and most are trying to do exactly that in the face of extraordinary pressure. Our message to them is simply this: We understand what you're dealing with but will stand behind you as you hold the line. The St. Tammany RPEC will fully support any member of the House and Senate who resists the external pressure and votes no to these oppressive and unnecessary tax increases."
House Concurrent Resolution 11, authored by Representative John Schroder in the first Special Session, created a task force to develop recommendations for long-term tax reform and budget changes. The taskforce will provide their suggestions by Sept 1. This deadline is early enough to educate the legislature and the public on their recommendations prior to the 2017 fiscal session.
The St. Tammany RPEC believes that before additional tax raising measures are passed in this special session, the legislature should wait until the above mentioned task force reports its findings and recommendations. This would allow the legislature to make meaningful structural changes to our tax system for greater long-term fiscal stability for our state.
The 19 members of the RPEC were elected in March, with five at-large members and 14 district seats. The RPEC exists under statute, and its missions are voter education, registration, and participation.
