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LCD hears push to increase 5¢ telecommunications tax as fund receipts dip
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Summary
A prerecorded public comment urged the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) to consider increasing the 5¢ monthly telecommunications tax to generate more services for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard‑of‑hearing people.
A prerecorded public comment urged the Louisiana Commission for the Deaf (LCD) to consider increasing the 5¢ monthly telecommunications tax to generate more services for Deaf, DeafBlind and hard‑of‑hearing people.
"Cell phone users here in Louisiana have a specific tax that is removed at 5¢ monthly, and that has accrued funds that go to the state revenue, averaging about 5,000,000 annually," said Dan Araby in a video the board viewed at its meeting.
The commission discussed whether changing the tax would require state legislation. Chairperson Dr. Delgado asked whether the commission wanted the senator present to advise on next steps; Senator Mohammed (on camera) said staff would need to "go back and look at the actual law, the statue," and that an increase would likely require legislative action.
Interim Director Janine Broussard presented the fund's recent receipts and expenditures. She said LCD collected about $3.6 million the prior year and that, "for fiscal year 2025 ... we only have collected 2.979 around million dollars," representing roughly a $600,000 reduction from recent annual averages.
Broussard said expenditures were still being finalized for the just‑closed fiscal year. She noted preliminary expenditures of about $3.052 million and that the commission has a carryforward balance from prior years of roughly $6.0 million. "This is a number just as of right now," she said, adding that final closeout figures should be available in about a month.
Board members asked staff to gather the statutory history and annual receipts before considering next steps. Interim Director Bruce Hall offered to compile historical data and provide it to the senators and the commission at a future meeting.
No vote was taken on changing the tax; the board's immediate action was to request research and a formal report back to the commission.
Why it matters: The telecommunications fund supports services used by Deaf and hard‑of‑hearing Louisianans. A decline in annual receipts combined with near‑yearly expenditures could reduce available program dollars unless the legislature or the commission alters funding or spending plans.
What’s next: Staff will assemble historical receipts, the statute that established the 5¢ levy, and expenditure detail for the commission and the senators for further consideration.
