Will Easley Says Vote ‘Yes’ Saturday for Lower Taxes

Four Candidates, Two Propositions On Election Ballot

CENTRAL — Two anti-tax propositions and four candidates will appear on the ballot in Central this Saturday.

Central school board member Will Easley is urging Central voters to vote ‘Yes’ for a proposition on Saturday’s general election ballot that will reduce sales taxes paid by local residents.

Likewise, local realtor Clarence Fruge has asked voters to support Proposition No. 1, an amendment to the Louisiana Constitution, which would ban property transfer taxes in the future.

In addition, Chas Roemer and Donald Songy are seeking a BESE seat, and Drs. Shannon Cooper and Beau Clark are running for Coroner.

Central 1/2-Cent Sales Tax

In May 2008, Central voters approved new property taxes and a new 1/2-cent sales taxes for construction of a $55 million school complex and Life Safety Code improvements to existing schools in Central.

The school board issued bonds, or debt, which are funded by the taxes.  The property tax will automatically expire when the bonds are paid off.  However, the sales tax will continue on indefinitely into the future. Will Easley said that was never the school board’s intent.  So the school board has a proposition on the ballot to repeal the 1/2-cent sales tax when the school complex is paid off.  All seven members of the Central School Board support the proposition.

Proposition No. 1

Louisiana voters across the state will vote on a constitutional amendment to prohibit the imposition of a real estate transfer tax in Louisiana.  Such a tax is not currently being imposed.

BESE Board

Voters will also choose a member to represent the Sixth District on the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education.  The runoff candidates are Republican Chas Roemer and Democrat Donald Songy.

Roemer is backed by business organizations and favors major reforms in state education policy.  Songy is backed by teachers organizations.

Parish Coroner Election

The other race on the ballot is for Parish Coroner.  The runoff candidates are Dr. Beau Clark and incumbent Dr. Shannon Cooper.