In previous posts, the Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee made candidate endorsements for the 2020 election and explained in detail each proposed amendment to the state constitution. Here are JPDEC’s latest recommendations, starting with the amendments:

#1, Statement About Abortion and the LA Constitution – NO. It reinforces no exceptions in banning abortions -- including rape, incest or the health of the mother. It’s also unnecessary as various abortion cases are determined in the federal legal system.

#2, New Method of Determining Property Taxes for Oil/Gas Wells – NO. The change is risky – would likely result in less revenue from wells, putting basic services at risk or causing other taxes to go up, or both.

#3, Using Rainy Day Fund for Disaster Recovery – NO. The fund has served well as a cushion against revenue downturns and should be kept to its intended purpose.

#4, Legislative-Based Formula to Limit State Spending – NO. This would restrict already limited options to square the budget and would put at risk allocations for education, early childhood learning and health care.

#5, Local Govt. Options in Lieu of Taxes to Incent Manufacturing – NO. Another risky proposition that might spur development short-term but mean significantly less revenue long-term. Most local tax assessors adamantly oppose this.

#6, Raise to $100,000 Income Eligibility for Homestead Exemption – NO. This would also mean less revenue, benefit a limited number of people, and violate the intended purpose of freezing taxes for those with modest fixed income.

#7, Put Unclaimed Private Property into State Treasurer Trust Fund – NO. A solution in search of a problem. The Unclaimed Property Program has never had more claims than collections in any year and provides millions to the state general fund.

Ballot Proposal, Allow Sports Betting in Jefferson Parish – YES. This would give the state and the parish the ability to regulate wagering – and tax it.

Millage Renewal, Jefferson Parish Office of the Inspector General – YES. Money well spent – the inspector general is a watchdog for government transparency, integrity and accountability, plus an outlet for citizens to report wrongdoing.