Louisiana voters approved just three of eight proposed constitutional amendments Tuesday night, all aimed at reducing the burden on taxpayers.  Red River voters approved of two of the eight amendments.

Veterans with disabilities will now pay less for property taxes after voters approved Amendment 2 by nearly 73%. Those with a 100% service-connected disability rating or a 100% unemployability rating from the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs and their spouses will no longer be required to pay any parish property taxes on their homestead if they live there.

On Amendment 2, 65% of Red River voters gave their approval.

Veterans with disability ratings between 70% and 99% and their spouses are also now eligible for a property tax exemption up to $120,000, while those with ratings of 50% to 69% and their spouses will get a property tax break up to $100,000 of the homestead’s value. The previous exemption was capped at $75,000, or $150,000 in certain parishes.

Nearly 75% of voters also supported Amendment 4 to allow local water districts, municipalities and other political subdivisions to reduce customer bills for water use if charges stem from damage outside of a customer’s control.

Red River voters followed the statewide trend with 65% of them voting in favor of Amendment 4.

The change follows many other states that offer permissive flexibility to water utilities to help customers during floods, ice storms, and other natural disasters. Louisiana law previously prohibited the state, local governments and other political subdivisions from crediting residents or businesses for charges related to infrastructure problems that have plagued the state in the wake of a series of catastrophic storms in recent years.

Louisiana voters also approved Amendment 8 with a much closer vote of 55% to 45% to remove a constitutional requirement for certain disabled homeowners eligible for a tax break to annually certify their income.

Red River voted No on #8.  The tally was 54% in opposition.

The change applies to property tax rates that are frozen for permanently or totally disabled homeowners with annual incomes of no more than $100,000, though that figure is set to increase with inflation starting in 2026. Louisiana law previously required all who receive special property tax breaks to recertify their income yearly with the assessor, with the exception of those age 65 and older.

The Center Square contributed to this report.

---

To report an issue or typo with this article – CLICK HERE