Give those responsible for running the parish bus system credit for being quick to recognize a fortuitous opportunity, says Business Report Executive Editor JR Ball in his latest column. Once it became clear that a crime fighting committee—comprised of politicians and public safety professionals—was fumbling away its chance to get a much-discussed tax proposal on the April ballot, the board that oversees the Capital Area Transportation System acted within 24 hours to fill the void. “I’m not sure which is more amazing: a crime committee—at work for months to address what East Baton Rouge Parish residents consistently say is a top priority—utterly failing to honor its pledge to get a proposal before the voters in April, or the CATS board being clever enough and nimble enough to pounce on the ballot opening,” Ball writes. “Either way, it’s a serendipitous development for a bus system facing a $2.1 million operating deficit that could shutter the bus system by the end of July, say CATS officials at every opportunity.” Get Ball’s take on the proposed CATS tax and the chances of its passage by reading the full column here; and send your comments to editors@businessreport.com.
Today’s poll question: If the polls were open today, would you vote for the proposed CATS tax?
