Tea Party member Ruben LeBlanc and state Rep. Fred Mills, R-Parks, share their thoughts today on several important issues with residents of Senate District 22. The Daily Iberian asked the St. Martinville and Greater Iberia Chambers of Commerce to each identify the top three issues its membership would like to see the next state senator address.

Reducing taxes

LeBlanc, who has no party affiliation, said he would move to eliminate state income and property taxes. He also said he would work to keep more revenue from the oil and gas industry in the state.

Mills said he has worked to reduce taxes and will continue to do so.

“I voted and supported the Stelly Tax repeal that saved our state taxpayers $300 million annually,” Mills said. “I was proud to lead the charge on the elimination of a property tax in Hospital Service District No. 2 in St. Martin Parish.”

Offshore drilling

and the moratorium

LeBlanc said he is a supporter of “Drill baby drill.” He would like to see Louisiana be the safest oil-and-gas-producing state with little to no federal interference.

“We can keep the industry in the best shape at the state level,” LeBlanc said. “The governor should have gone to the Legislature for a unified voice and lifted the moratorium from the state level with the warning to the federal government that any further intrusions in the state’s affairs will be received as a breach of peace and actions will be taken accordingly.”

Mills said he intends to continue working with our congressional delegation, state leadership, local officials and industry to “bring back regulatory common sense.” Mills called this issue the “most imperative on the table.”

“This next session, I will introduce legislation to create (a U.S.) Highway 90 Workers Commission to focus on (the) national importance of this transportation route,” Mills said.

Economic

development

LeBlanc supports buying locally and the elimination of the “self-employment tax” to spur economic development in the district.

“If they have more of what they worked for then that prosperity will circulate around the community six or seven times,” LeBlanc said. “Sending money to Baton Rouge or Washington and hoping to get some back is like hiring illegal aliens and watching them send their money home.”

Mills said doing more to support existing businesses is important. He points to his involvement in creating the St. Martin Industrial Park as supporting economic development and job creation.

“Right in our own backyard we have so many wonderful opportunities,” Mills said.

ARA potential

LeBlanc said he would move to get cruise ships to use the Port of Iberia.

“The airport and the Gulf (of Mexico) could complement each other for both destinations and transportation as well as interstate commerce,” LeBlanc said.

Mills said he will do all he can to make sure this “prized asset” of the district is promoted, marketed and leveraged for development.

“We are in a global economic market with specific criteria for business,” Mills said. “I will work with our local officials to ensure that all industry requests for proposals that are submitted on a state level filter back down to Acadiana Regional Airport when it is in our best interests.”

Future of TIF districts

LeBlanc said he supports repealing tax increment finance districts “ASAP” and called them “garbage.”

“The government has spent everything it collects already and wants to now use up the tax revenues from our children and future generations,” LeBlanc said. “This is an example of what is wrong and why we should not keep sending people without a proper understanding of the Constitution to make decisions for us.”

Mills said he would continue to support commercial and industrial development in the district.

“The key to reaching our potential in the TIF district also hinges on creating financing partnerships with our local banks and potential investors,” Mills said. “It is imperative that we create a one-stop shop that sets us apart from our competition.”

Interests of Iberia

and St. Martin

LeBlanc said if elected he would promote the area and the foods and services for which it is famous.

“I don’t plan to vote for ‘pet projects’ for the benefit of a few, while the good of the whole state suffers,” LeBlanc said. “Also, I will work with local communities to help bring more constitutionally minded people to the table.”

Mills said he will continue to reach out to everyone for the benefit of the whole district.

“As a state representative, I have worked cooperatively with everyone,” Mills said. “I am a consensus builder. I plan to offer my leadership skills to prioritize our interests as a district and unite our legislative delegation to work as a team for our success.”

Friday: Champagne and Groner.