A vote for the amendment is a vote against any new fees for real estate transactions.
There is evidently some confusion among voters over the proposed constitutional amendment on Saturday's ballot that would prevent local or state government from imposing additional fees (read, taxes) on the sale of real estate. From Facebook status updates to tweets, we've come across several instances of voters thrown by the wording of the measure, which begins, "To prohibit the levy of new taxes or fees ..." We've even encountered a few conspiracy theories running along the lines of, "The wording is intentionally confusing ..."
But the measure is simple, actually: A vote for the amendment is a vote against any new fees for real estate transactions. A yes vote means "no new taxes." Simple, right?
Here's the proposition in its entirety:
To prohibit the levy of new taxes or fees upon the sale or transfer of immovable property, including documentary transaction taxes or fees, or any other tax or fee, by the state or any of its political subdivisions after November 30, 2011.
City-Parish President Joey Durel acknowledges the confusion in an email to supporters today:
I am writing today to urge you to vote against the home Transfer Tax this Saturday, by voting "yes." A "yes" vote prohibits any transfer tax from being imposed. It is confusing on the ballot, so be careful. A "no" vote allows this tax to be imposed, and a "YES" vote prevents it.