About Candidate
Michael was born and raised in Bedico. Graduated from Ponchatoula High class of 1978. He attended Central Texas College where he earned a degree in Applied Technology.
Michael worked in the oil field and Shipyard before joining the Army in 1984. He served as a US Army Paratrooper for 22 years. He held every leadership position from Team Chief to Company First Sergeant. During which time he had multiple combat deployments including Desert Storm and the Afghanistan War earning the Bronze Star. After retiring from the Army in 2007 Michael moved back to Bedico. Since 2007 Michael has been working for a major Communications company that is leading the way bringing Broadband internet to the rural areas of the North Shore.
He has been happily married for 33 years to Kyong "Hea-Suk" Chatellier. They have two Children, Michael and Claudia.
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My Mission
Attract new businesses and high paying jobs.
Taxes
An effective tax system unleashes growth and lowers barrier for individuals and companies from a code that is fair, flat, and simple.
Furthermore, taxes shouldn’t take more than necessary to fund the core functions of government. Below is a snapshot of current law and how it could improve:
Reduce Personal Income Tax Rate, Broaden Base
Eliminating the federal tax deduction for state taxpayers would benefit Louisianans—Louisiana is only one of two states that allows a full deduction.
Doing so would free up revenue and could allow lawmakers to reduce the state personal income tax and eliminate the lowest tax bracket, providing $1.145 billion tax relief.
Use Tax Code to Attract Businesses into Louisiana
To become attractive to new businesses and solidify in-state businesses, Louisiana must compete not only regionally, but globally. And it can.
Flattening or eliminating the corporate income tax, which at eight percent, is the highest in the region but only makes up three percent of general fund revenue, would go a long way to helping Louisiana become more competitive.
Repealing of the Franchise Tax could also draw in business. Our Franchise tax is the second highest in the national—only 16 states even have a Franchise Tax—but only contributes 1.2 percent of general fund revenue.
How Tax Reform Can Help Louisiana
Repealing the Corporate Income Tax and flattening the Personal Income Tax could spur an increase of $1 billion or more annually (in GDP output). And by leveling the playing field for all businesses and individuals and not favoring those special interests, more businesses and individuals will flock to the state in search of prosperity and opportunity.
I have a plan that incrementally reduces your personal income tax to 0 over five years. Year one it flattens the
personal and corporate income taxes to 3.5% rates, and makes other changes that will kickstart the economy into
immediate growth and increase the number of available jobs in the state.
The problems we face aren’t a surprise to you. You know this is the kind of change we need in Baton Rouge. But with the
election around the corner, we need candidates to know it, too. I am that candidate.
When it comes to technology advancements, government often gets in the way. Rules and regulations make it difficult for innovators to improve our lives. Louisiana often lags behind in embracing new technology stifling innovation and job creation while also hurting consumers in the process.
THE PROBLEM
• Like many sectors of the state, Louisiana is stuck in a protectionist mindset. Entrenched special interests lobby the government for more regulation. As a result, new and innovative businesses are often not able to compete or even operate in the state.
• Like its roads and bridges, Louisiana lags behind in technology infrastructure. Meaning that many companies, which were to build in Louisiana, don’t have the tools needed to set up shop.
• If one technology company comes to a state, more often follow. But if Louisiana can’t attract the first companies with a solid regulatory environment, there is little to be done to jumpstart that ecosystem.
THE SOLUTIONS
• Establish a culture of light touch government regulation, allowing new companies to innovate without asking the government for permission.
• Create statewide regulatory frameworks as seen in other states for industries such as ridesharing, home-sharing, and micro-transportation,
• Remove barriers to high speed internet deployment so both urban and rural Louisianans have access to reliable, inexpensive, and quick internet services.
• Utilize current technologies to make government more transparent and efficient for the citizens of Louisiana.
• Allow existing industries to employ new technological advancements. One example is the expansion telemedicine, allowing rural communities access to healthcare.
• Ensure that technology is utilized in schools so students are ready for the 21st century economy.
Adopt best practices of states that constantly rank in the top 5 in education.
Our failed Education system is a roadblock in Louisiana's future.
Louisiana spends the most per student in the Southeast for some of the lowest educational outcomes:
We need to look at states like Texas and North Carolina that spend less per student yet continually rank in the top 10.
Yes, the 2023 Regular Session made significant actions on education bills. Louisiana is still in the bottom ten states nationally for student achievement. While improving in some areas, Louisiana is far from done.
It is imperative we elect legislators that will make these efforts to accelerate student learning and expand educational options for its school-age children a top priority.
I will continue that fight to improve our failing education system through all available means. That includes school choice, both public and private, Charter Schools, and Homeschooling.
School Choice and Educational Freedom
Lawmakers in the state House of Representatives passed two bills that would have expanded school choice and educational freedom, allowing state dollars to “follow the child” to a family-selected school. House Bill 9 by Representative Rhonda Butler would have created an education scholarship program for children with disabilities, allowing them to use state funds that would have otherwise funded their education in a public school at a state-approved private school or to design a home-based program using state-approved education service providers. That bill was passed 94-3 and reported favorably by the Senate Education Committee but was not advanced to the full Senate for a vote.
These bills along with others would have expanded public school choice and the ability for families to transfer from one public school to another within their school system or across district lines.
Louisiana, we deserve better!
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