Business Report Executive Editor JR Ball says if Baton Rouge politicians have learned anything in their unending quest for more of our money it’s this: Voters have a hard time saying “no” to a tax dedicated for the elderly, veterans, first responders, or that’s paid by someone else.
“Who cares if independent taxing authorities and an ever-growing amount of locked down money creates massive budget inefficiency, voter-selected winners and losers, and—ultimately—higher taxes?” Ball writes in his latest column.
Republicans who typically complain about “tax-and-spend liberals” tend to have zero problems taxing and spending when it comes to defense at home or abroad, Ball says. So, it should come as little surprise that Metro Councilman Matt Watson—a tax-adverse Republican—is pushing a dedicated 8-mill property tax in incorporated Baton Rouge to increase the pay of city police officers.
The tax will generate $14.9 million in its first year if approved. But Ball argues that figure would likely rise annually due to growth in the city and the almost guaranteed millage roll-forward every four years. The homestead exemption would not apply.
The money will bump new officers’ pay to $40,800 from $32,900. Veterans would get a small bump. Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso, also a regular rejecter of tax proposals, is pretty much onboard with the tax plan, saying, “It’s hard to go against public safety. Right now, I think we’re getting close to a crisis with not being able to attract good policemen.”
Mayor Pro Tem Scott Wilson is the council’s only voice of public dissent on the tax plan so far, Ball notes. Other council members support Watson’s tax plan but admit that money also is needed for mental health services, a new prison, accessible healthcare, drainage and economic development in north Baton Rouge.
“In short, every council member—other than Wilson—seems good with the concept of hiking taxes … the trick, apparently, is finding the right taxes to hike,” Ball writes. “Let’s cut to the chase: Who’s against giving police officers more money? No one. But are we willing to risk the long-term financial health of Baton Rouge and the parish with yet another dedicated tax that—among other things—will put an additional strain on a city-parish retirement system already struggling to make ends meet?”
Still, Ball says he’s more than willing to jump on the back-the-blue bandwagon as long as a few questions are first answered. Among them: Why isn’t there enough general fund money to cover the cost of these raises?
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