Yesterday the School Board had a special call meeting to vote on this resolution.
WHEREAS, providing predictability and uniformity in sales tax collection by harmonizing state and local interpretation and application of tax law concerning the imposition, assessment and collection of such tax can greatly advance the ability of Caddo Parish to compete for such projects;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Caddo Parish School Board that:
In connection with an economic development project located in Caddo Parish, that will provide at least 370 jobs meeting wage and benefit requirements of the Louisiana Quality Jobs Program (presently $14.50/hr with a health care benefit) and a capital investment of at least $20 Million, the Caddo Parish School Board agrees to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development, and the business providing such jobs and payroll, in which the Caddo Parish School Board concurs, for the purposes of local sales tax levy and assessment, in the determination of the Louisiana Department of Revenue with regard to state sales tax levy and collection with respect to the business.
I put it in the smallest font, because I can't believe many people want to read it. It is very vague and simply is a way for a prospective business to measure the willingness of local governing bodies to exempt them from taxes. I'm all for it if the business is not going to use anything that is paid for by taxes; police, fire department, roads, trash collection, water, education-schools, all forms of government. I am likely forgetting somethings.
Remember this is being asked of a school system that had to cut about $12 million dollars this year. We closed several elementary schools and middle schools and move the 7th and 8th graders into high schools to save money. We increased the teacher/pupil ratio; even refused to say that we will follow state law in regard to the teacher/pupil ratio. And we laid off over 300 school based employees. Now we are going to agree to not collect taxes from a business. Next year's budget is projected to have a $30 million shortfall. So just how will we deal with that?
I have 2 videos where Board Members Crawford and Rachal give their thoughts about granting tax exemptions to big companies. Bonita Crawford seemed unsure whether any businesses had been granted tax exemptions in Caddo; though she had voted on several of them.
Is it wrong to believe that these 2 are all talk?
It seems that no matter what they believe or say, their ultimate goal is to vote with the majority or as I call it "the herd."
Their votes really tell all.
I certainly hope that next year when we are faced with dramatic cuts, that the public remembers how easily 9 board members gave away tax dollars.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110824/NEWS04/108240318/Caddo-board-voices-support-potential-business
Resolution in Support of Economic Development Initiative
WHEREAS, to promote economic development, the Caddo Parish School Board desires to enhance the attractiveness of Caddo Parish as a location for the development of new businesses and expansion of existing businesses; andWHEREAS, providing predictability and uniformity in sales tax collection by harmonizing state and local interpretation and application of tax law concerning the imposition, assessment and collection of such tax can greatly advance the ability of Caddo Parish to compete for such projects;
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED by the Caddo Parish School Board that:
In connection with an economic development project located in Caddo Parish, that will provide at least 370 jobs meeting wage and benefit requirements of the Louisiana Quality Jobs Program (presently $14.50/hr with a health care benefit) and a capital investment of at least $20 Million, the Caddo Parish School Board agrees to enter into a Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with the State of Louisiana, Department of Economic Development, and the business providing such jobs and payroll, in which the Caddo Parish School Board concurs, for the purposes of local sales tax levy and assessment, in the determination of the Louisiana Department of Revenue with regard to state sales tax levy and collection with respect to the business.
I put it in the smallest font, because I can't believe many people want to read it. It is very vague and simply is a way for a prospective business to measure the willingness of local governing bodies to exempt them from taxes. I'm all for it if the business is not going to use anything that is paid for by taxes; police, fire department, roads, trash collection, water, education-schools, all forms of government. I am likely forgetting somethings.
Remember this is being asked of a school system that had to cut about $12 million dollars this year. We closed several elementary schools and middle schools and move the 7th and 8th graders into high schools to save money. We increased the teacher/pupil ratio; even refused to say that we will follow state law in regard to the teacher/pupil ratio. And we laid off over 300 school based employees. Now we are going to agree to not collect taxes from a business. Next year's budget is projected to have a $30 million shortfall. So just how will we deal with that?
I have 2 videos where Board Members Crawford and Rachal give their thoughts about granting tax exemptions to big companies. Bonita Crawford seemed unsure whether any businesses had been granted tax exemptions in Caddo; though she had voted on several of them.
When it was time to vote, how would you guess Crawford and Rachal would vote?
Is it wrong to believe that these 2 are all talk?
It seems that no matter what they believe or say, their ultimate goal is to vote with the majority or as I call it "the herd."
Their votes really tell all.
I certainly hope that next year when we are faced with dramatic cuts, that the public remembers how easily 9 board members gave away tax dollars.
http://www.shreveporttimes.com/article/20110824/NEWS04/108240318/Caddo-board-voices-support-potential-business
I thought surely that they were voting with you, however I guess they decided that since they could go back on their word- they may as well just roll with it!!! I wish they realized what sacrifices and stress their decisions put on us on the front line. And- the long term pitfalls that will ensue because of their refusal to stand for something and fall for anything. Oversize classes- scheduling nightmares- staff stretched so thin that week two feels like week 34! Many of us will be working 16 hour days to help make up to the students what their votes over the last year have cost the students. Many teachers will be forced to return to college to pursue a job that will pay enough to support a family and allow reasonable preparation to perform job requirements. Being in the classroom these days is like being an ER doctor without supplies or equipment to assess whether a patient has cancer until said patient is in stage 5 and then having to tell them it is too late for treatment. Hope they sleep well, because I can't! I would love to select a classroom for each one of them to teach in for ONE WEEK! Although, I wouldn't do that to the students!
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