Collection:LPB

Genre: Panel

Place Covered: Louisiana

Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority

Date Issued: 2017-07-26

Duration: 00:57:51

Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | Tax exemptions | Industrial Tax Exemption Program | ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT | Local governments

Contributors:

• Erwin, Barry Host
• Gautreaux, Kevin Producer
• Spires, Kelly Producer
• Nosacka, Steve Interviewee
• Landry, Rob Interviewee
• Hanley, Dianne Interviewee
• White, Karen Day Speaker
• Grigsby, Kathryn Speaker
• Knapp, Adam Speaker
• Lafont, Vic Speaker
• Posey, Cynthia Speaker
• Gauff, Lucien Speaker
• Gauff, Ray Speaker
• French, Jason Speaker
• Morris, Norman Speaker
• Wascom, Kathy Speaker
• Wilson, Aaron Speaker
• Reap-Curiel, Rhonda Speaker
• Basen, Alix Speaker
• Hill, Naomi Speaker
• Singelton, Rene Speaker
• Andry, Jeff Speaker
• Pierson, Don Panelist
• Bagert, Broderick Panelist
• Bowser, Gregory Panelist
• Aguillard, Wendy Panelist

This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from July 26, 2017, features Barry Erwin leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP), which allows new and expanding businesses to be exempt from paying local property taxes for up to ten years. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with Gramercy Mayor Steve Nosacka, Rob Landry of the Louisiana Chemical Association, and Dianne Hanley of Together Baton Rouge. The audience members then discuss the following topics: the pros and cons of ITEP; accountability for the program; their concerns over the loss of money for public education; and job creation. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are: Secretary Don Pierson of the Louisiana Department of Economic Development; Broderick Bagert of Together Baton Rouge; Gregory Bowser, the president of the Louisiana Chemical Association; and Calcasieu Parish Tax Assessor Wendy Aguillard. They discuss: the Edwards Administration’s changes to ITEP; misconceptions about the parishes that receive the highest amount of industrial tax exemptions; the ITEP benefits going to existing companies; the possibility of eliminating the Board of Commerce and Industry and allowing local governments to make decisions about tax exemptions; the technological changes in manufacturing; the involvement of businesses in the community; and whether now is the right time to increase the tax burden on industry.