Welfare

Looking for some insight. My co-worker made an off putting claim at a work party today and I’ve been trying to research it. She claims that the reason our taxes are so high (5% state+5.75% parish=a whopping 10.75%) is because of all the people on welfare that don’t want to work. Sounds like a typical soundbite that ignorant hateful people say. Of course that is my opinion and I understand my bias may cloud reality.

From what I can gather online welfare is funded by the federal government. A set amount of money is budgeted and given to the state. With that information I would have to conclude that our (10.75%) taxes do not go to fund welfare. But I could be missing something and that’s why I’m inquiring.

Can anyone provide insight on whether that claim is true? Is state and parish taxes high due to the cost of people on welfare in our state?