Residents Push Back Against Tax Money for Football Team

A hot debate is raging in Shreveport about giving tax dollars to the Louisiana Rouxgaroux football team. The team is asking the Caddo Parish Commission for $32,000.

Many people in the area are up in arms about this proposal to give tax money to a "for-profit" business with limited information about what the money is to be used for. The team is not obligated to pay the money back.

Parish Commissioners asked questions about this proposal that was presented to the panel by former Commissioner Lyndon B. Johnson. He was asked if the Bossier Police Jury is also chipping in money. He told the panel, the Bossier crew was waiting on Caddo to act. But KEEL News checked the Police Jury agenda and there is no mention of any public funding for the Rouxgaroux.

Is It Legal to Give Tax Dollars to For-Profit Businesses?

Commission attorney Donna Frazier told the Commission state law does allow this kind of transaction as long as the return on the investment meets the outlay of tax money. Supporters say the sales taxes and hotel and motel tax dollars will likely meet this obligation.

What Was the Vote of the Commission?

Caddo Commissioners John Atkins, Chris Kracman, Ken Epperson, and Ed Lazarus voted against this funding. All of them apparently have issues with using tax money to fund a private business. Other concerns deal with the fact that the team plays in Bossier and the team HQ is in Bossier. The other 8 Commissioners voted to support this idea. Commissioner Grace Anne Blake tells KEEL News her vote does not mean she supports this funding. But she does want to hear more about the proposal. This measure does have to lay over until the next meeting before it can be passed.

At least one business owner says he is considering a lawsuit if this measure passes. He does not think this funding would be legal.