Dear Friends:

As I campaign across the state before the October 20 primary, I’m telling the people of Louisiana that it’s time for a bold new beginning to make our state what it should be.

I’m sick and tired of our low rankings among the other states on quality-of-life measures. We’re 49th among “Most Livable States” 44th in high school graduation, 46th in health care, 41st in per-capita income.

We have one of the worst highway systems in the nation and a long reputation as a place where people with power corrupt our government for their own ends.  Our problems have been magnified by Hurricanes Katrina and Rita.

Coastal erosion and bungling by the Army Corps of Engineers have left South Louisiana vulnerable to more devastation from hurricanes. And the federal government, which pledged to do “whatever it takes” to rebuild New Orleans, continues to shortchange our state and our people.

Huge amounts of money will be required to move Louisiana forward. Our $14 billion backlog in highway construction grows every year. Stopping coastal erosion will cost even more. Meanwhile, however, Louisiana ranks 11th in the nation in taxes paid per capita, and many of our people struggle to pay for property insurance and health care.

Louisiana doesn’t have to be this way. We can claim our rightful place as one of the treasures of the nation, a state with more opportunity for our people and attractive to new employers.

I have a plan to move Louisiana forward – the only real fiscal plan you’ll hear from any candidate for Governor.

I’ll invest in our people, in our infrastructure, and in building a new economy with more opportunity for all.

It starts with eliminating the state income tax, on both individuals and businesses. This will immediately put $3.1 billion back into the pockets of Louisiana citizens and businesses, to spend as they wish. Each dollar spent circulates through our economy at least five times. This will be the largest tax cut in the history of Louisiana and will spark a huge economic boom that we’ll all benefit from.

I’ll replace that revenue with a 6-percent fee on all oil and gas processed in the state, modernizing the 1921 system that collects taxes only on minerals produced on state land. This will insure that countries such as Venezuela, Kuwait and Saudi Arabia pay their fair share for using our land, marshes and offshore waters.

We’ll get rid of the current severance tax and still have $1.7 billion left over EACH year to devote to improving schools, rebuilding Louisiana, fixing our roads and improving health care.

If you want more of the same…if you think we can build a great state by tinkering around the edges with minor changes…then you should vote for another candidate for Governor.

But if you share my bold vision for a Louisiana that invests in its people, infrastructure and new opportunities with a modern economy, I’ll be pleased to have your support.

Sincerely,

Foster Campbell