Homeowners tax credit bill killed, no relief for low-income homeowners

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — A bill designed to save Louisiana residents money on their homeowner’s insurance is dead at the state legislature.

As the legislative session winds down to Thursday’s adjournment, the House vetoed Senate Bill 235, which would have assisted low-income homeowners in tax credits.

Senator Royce Duplessis, who sponsored the bill, called it unfortunate.

“I can assure you that the people of Louisiana would have wanted this bill to pass,” Duplessis said. “And if the people of Louisiana had a voice and a vote, they would have passed it overwhelmingly. So, unfortunately, another good policy was shot down by justifications that are not good enough.”

Families of four making less than $64,000 could have been eligible to claim up to $2,000 in a tax credit. Those making less than $25,000 would receive a cash rebate to help cover their insurance costs.

Housing Louisiana President Andreanecia Morris says this was an immediate need to help people, especially as we see population loss.

“We’re seeing thousands of people leave Louisiana, some voluntarily and some not voluntarily,” Morris said. “A lot of people gotten a notice just in the last few weeks and have seen their insurance rate for the second, third, fourth year in a row, significantly increase.”

Originally the bill was capped at $10 million but the House dropped it, capping it at $1 million.

Morris calls it a slap in the face to the people who, time and time again, are told to be resilient after a storm.

“People are tired of that word being applied to them by leaders who could make their communities resilient, who could put resilient systems in place so that they don’t have to just roll with the punches,” said Morris.

Duplessis said he will continue to fight for insurance relief.

“We’re going to continue to have conversations and work on solutions to try to bring relief to people,” Duplessis said. “But we are getting towards the final hours of the session. So, we’re going to continue to have conversations to see what could potentially be.”

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