After Oil Industry Endorsement, Vitter Backs End To Solar Tax Credits

"In an era where staunch opposition to raising taxes on anything is a defining principle of the Republican Party, the GOP gubernatorial nominee in Louisiana found one industry he believes doesn’t pay enough in taxes: solar energy.

Sen. David Vitter (R-LA), who last month won a spot in Louisiana’s upcoming gubernatorial run-off, made an appearance late last week on the SportsChat radio show out of Acadiana. When the discussion turned to policy, the host asked Vitter to name an example of somewhere he’d like to cut the deficit. The Louisiana Republican pointed to encouraging solar panels as an example of government excess.

'We have some tax credits that are really giveaways and spending items by another name. For instance, the solar tax credit. That’s a check from the taxpayers for folks to buy solar panels,' Vitter said. 'It’s really a spending program and it’s a big check. I don’t think the state taxpayer should be in the business of buying folks solar panels, mostly folks who are perfectly well off.'"

Scott Keyes reports for Climate Progress November 9, 2015.

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