Montoucet: Budget ‘a major problem’

During an interview Tuesday, District 42 state Rep. Jack Montoucet took a lighthearted moment to address a rumor that had been circulating regarding his future.

“I’d like to announce that I will not be going to work at the DA’s office,” laughed Montoucet, D-Crowley, who was an ardent supporter of Keith Stutes’ victorious campaign. “I’m not a lawyer and I’m probably not qualified to be a janitor over there. I guess that was speculation on the part of the people who saw me at several of Keith’s functions.”

He became serious, however, when discussing Louisiana’s budget woes which were described by an article on the Bayou Buzz website as being “a wayward mess.” 

During an interview following the 2014 Legislative Session, Montoucet was highly critical of Jindal’s practice of removing money from an agency’s trust funds to plug the holes in budget of another agency that was having budget problems.

“This was just a short-term fix,” said Montoucet at the time. “No concern for future problems and, believe me, they will arise.”

Montoucet’s prediction has come true. The state is now faced with a deficit estimated to be between $1.2 and $1.6 billion.

“This is a major problem the state is facing and we have gotten here just so that the governor can say he didn’t raise taxes,” the reprepresentative said.

Montoucet believes that one way to boost the state’s economy is to cease — even if temporarily — the tax exemptions which are being given to big corporations in Louisiana. He estimated the money that is being saved by these companies is approximately $600 million. 

“I tried to pass a bill about this during last year’s sesssion and it didn’t garner much support,” he said. “What some people don’t realize is that this wouldn’t be a tax increase. It would be simply getting them to pay the taxes that they would have paid before being given all these breaks by this administration.”

Montoucet said that with the budget facing the turmoil that it presently is, it would only seem fair to remove the tax exemptions from these companies that call Louisiana home.

“And I’d have no problem giving these tax breaks back to them if we can get the budget repaired,” he said. “During times like these, there is no reason that they shouldn’t pay their fair share. We have a school system that may lose $300 million this year.”

Asked about Jindal’s opposition to multiple lawsuits against the oil industry which are aimed at getting them to repair the state’s damaged coastline, Montoucet simply replied, “Look how much the oil industry gave to his last election.”

With the district attorney rumors officially dispelled, Montoucet, who has been honored as the Rural Legislator of the Year recently, said that his commitment to the people of District 42 is what drives him. 

“This is the job I want,” he said. “I’m going to seek re-election to one more term next year. After that it’s probably going to be time for me to go away.”