In the coming months, Louisiana citizens will have the opportunity to vote on six new amendments to the Louisiana Constitution; one in particular could have a significant impact on the Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS).
Five new amendments will be on the ballot on October 22: “Reducing the Financial Liability of State Retirement Systems,” “Protecting the Patient’s Compensation Fund,” “Managing the Budget Stabilization ‘Rainy Day’ Fund,” “Updating the Census Change in a New Orleans Tax Sales Law” and “Funding TOPS and Sustaining Cigarette Tax education.”
Members of the student body also share Holloway’s view of the amendment.
“In my opinion, the ‘Funding TOPS and Sustaining Cigarette Tax Revenue’ amendment would prove to be a beneficial permanent change,” said Kayla McCaleb, a freshman majoring in elementary education. “TOPS is responsible for providing many students with an opportunity to receive a college education. The more money the fund gets, the more students will get a chance at an problems.”
Students, on the other hand, are focused primarily on the fact that TOPS would be receiving more money from the Millennium Trust than the fact that a cigarette tax would become permanent.
“I personally think it’s a great idea,” said James Fox, a freshman majoring in music performance. “The tax won’t be enough to cause harm to the tobacco companies, yet [the amendment] will definitely begin to bring more back to the students and hopefully better the chances for students to acquire their