By: Public Information Office Staff
A proposal by the governor for a two-month tax amnesty period during Fiscal Year 2009-2010 could mean up to $150 million in back tax collections for the state if previous tax amnesty programs are any indication. The last program—conducted in 2001—collected more than $192 million in back taxes. About $300 million in tax collections and interest since then remain outstanding.
The proposed amnesty program would cover all tax periods since the last amnesty–July 1, 2001, through December 30, 2008. During the proposed two-month amnesty period, the state would waive all penalties owed on unpaid taxes and half of the accrued interest for any taxpayer who pays 100% of the owed tax and the remaining 50% of the owed interest.
Eligible taxpayers for this amnesty period would include those with an existing tax liability, those who did not file a required return or report, and those who understated or omitted any tax liability on a filed return.
The tax amnesty would not apply to motor fuel inspection fees, inspection and supervision fees collected on behalf of the Public Service Commission, motor fuels taxes, or penalties not associated with a tax. The program would exclude taxpayers under criminal investigation by the Department of Revenue and taxpayers against whom a civil fraud penalty has already been asserted.
The proposed tax amnesty program would generate one-time revenue and would not affect the 2009-2010 operating budget.
Legislation to enact the program will be proposed during the 2009 Regular Legislative Session.
Tax Amnesty Proposal
Posted by team member on 10:48 AM
March 04, 2009
SPECIAL LEGISLATIVE ELECTIONS
Posted by team member on 10:43 AM
By: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
Qualifying ended February 13 to fill the vacancies in state House District 97 and Senate District 24.
In House District 97, six candidates qualified to fill the vacancy created by the election of former House member J. P. Morrell to the state Senate. They are Jared Brossett, Oliver "Vishop OC: Coleman, Leroy Doucette, Ambrose Pratt, "Nik" Richard, and Dalton Savwoir. All candidates are Democrats with the exception of Coleman who is a Republican.
Five candidates qualified to run for the Senate seat vacated by Don Cravins, Jr. They are the former senator's mother, Patricia "Pat" Cravins, state Rep. Elbert Guillory, Quincy Richard, Jr., Lincoln "Link" Savoie, and Kelly Scott. Mr. Savoie is the only Republican in the race. The remaining candidates are Democrats.
Former Senator Cravins resigned to serve as director of the U.S. Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship in Washington, D.C.
The primary election date for both legislative seats is Saturday, April 4, with the general election on Saturday, May 2.
Improved Ballot Systems Needed To Provide For Overseas Military Voting
Posted by team member on 12:02 PM
February 11, 2009
By: Office of Public Information Staff
A new report released last month concludes that half the states need to improve their ballot systems to give overseas military time to vote.
The report, "Make Voting Work," found that 16 states and the District of Columbia do not give overseas military personnel enough time to vote, and another three states cut it so closely that their ballots are also at risk. In Alabama, which needs the longest time among states to send and receive ballots, it takes 88 days to cast an overseas military vote. Alabama requires three mailings: first, from a soldier requesting a ballot, again when the state sends it, and once more to send in the ballot.
The states that process an overseas military vote in the shortest time are Arizona, Kansas, New Mexico and Rhode Island, with just eight days needed to complete the voting process, according to the report. These states are among 19 that allow completed ballots to be returned by fax or e-mail.
To read the full report online, go to this link .
Tucker Appoints Cromer Vice Chair of Civil Law Committee in Lorusso's Absence
Posted by team member on 6:34 PM
February 04, 2009
By: Sheila McCant, Public Information Officer
House Speaker Jim Tucker today appointed state Rep. George Gregory Cromer as the temporary vice chairman of the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee.
Cromer will serve while state Rep. Nick Lorusso, who has been ordered to active duty in the U.S. Army Reserves, is out of state.
Lorusso has served as vice chair of the committee since last year. Cromer is a member of the committee.
