A package of economic development incentives backed by Gov. Bobby Jindal cleared a state Senate committee Monday after a few tweaks.
The proposals include a more business-friendly approach to calculating taxes, a payroll rebate and a tax break on moving expenses for corporate headquarter relocations.
Among the biggest changes that the Senate Committee on Revenue and Fiscal Affairs made was to bar the gambling industry from qualifying for the tax perks.
State Sen. J.P. Morrell, D-New Orleans, initially was met with silence when he asked why the state would not want to give Harrah’s an incentive to move its headquarters to Louisiana.
Finally, state Sen. Neil Riser, the committee’s chairman, offered to answer the question.
Riser, R-Columbia, said no expansion of gambling is wanted.
“It’s nice to know even though we are cash strapped and have no money, we can be selective,” Morrell said.
