Rolfe McCollister: 20 wishes for BR in 2026

This is my “wish list” for the new year. Most will require us to think differently and disrupt the status quo mentality of doing things “the way we’ve always done them.” Turning these into reality is a long shot for some, but I remain a dreamer. I’m 70 and tired of waiting. Sadly, many have abandoned hope and moved on, as I note in two reports that follow. It’s time to take some risks and go for it.

My wish is for …

1. BREC to hire an innovative and experienced leader to take East Baton Rouge parks to the next level.
2. Sasaki to unveil a creative and inspiring Plan Baton Rouge III for our downtown riverfront, one that will set us apart, attract tourists, and be enjoyed and embraced by the community.
3. Sasaki to work with the community to develop a master plan for City-Brooks Park and the lakes, including options for management and development, which would be presented to BREC
4. Our city-parish government to evolve, innovate and utilize public-private partnerships and technology/AI to improve services and create efficiencies. And, for the leadership to have the courage to tackle much-needed reforms to the retirement system and civil service rules.
5. The mayor, sheriff and district attorney, along with members of the Metro Council, Baton Rouge Economic Partnership and EBR School Board, joining forces to demand fair, accurate and equitable property assessments from our tax assessor, Brian Wilson. Also, their collective voice insisting that property-tax-receiving agencies roll back millages to maintain voter confidence.
6. Adopting a fair and equitable funding mechanism for parishwide constitutional offices, such as district attorney and coroner.
7. Creating a public rating system for our judicial branch that voters can consult at election time. I would prefer that we move to a merit-based, appointed system of judges.
8. An extensive audit of the Baton Rouge Council on Aging’s funding, expenses and operations, comparing the results to other “best in class” peers in other cities. I believe COA’s budget has grown 4x since its last tax passed, and its tax will be up for renewal this year.
9. The mayor to create the position of “inspector general” to investigate whistleblower allegations of fraud, abuse or corruption.
10. Privatizing the CATS bus system and exploring vouchers for ride-share firms and even the use of driverless taxis.
11. Fixing the traffic disaster on College Drive and widening Lee Drive from Perkins to Highland Road. (50 years overdue)
12. Encouraging owner Rick Hartley to sell Esplanade Mall on Corporate Boulevard at College Drive to someone who will renovate and develop this eyesore by the interstate. Otherwise, the city should condemn the abandoned and blighted portions of the property.
13. Reviewing the sign ordinances for portable signs/flags and establishing fines that are enforceable. This includes the ordinance for abandoned business signs.
14. An evaluation of parking meter revenues and enforcement downtown—comparing the past 10 years with other cities—and an exploration of privatization.
15. Synchronized traffic signals in Baton Rouge. I don’t care what former Mayor Sharon Weston Broome or Fred Raiford says; it is not complete.
16. Growing support for entrepreneurs through NexusLA, LSU Innovation Park, and The Alliance.
17. The spirit of volunteerism and service in Baton Rouge to further grow through nonprofits, our faith community, and First Tuesday.
18. Support for school choice in our parish to expand, including approval of a new independent system in St. George.
19. An annual report co-produced by the city-parish and the Greater Baton Rouge Economic Partnership listing every authorized economic development district in the parish and showing revenues, expenses, staffing, salaries, board members and activities, along with impact. It would be made public and appear online.
20. More people to have the courage to take a stand on local issues they are passionate about and to speak truth to power. Convince friends to join them. There is strength in numbers, but also be willing to stand alone. We can all start by simply voting in elections.

Is Louisiana more important than Greenland?

Reading that President Donald Trump had appointed Gov. Jeff Landry as an envoy to Greenland—a position Trump says Landry called him to solicit—I thought of a Native American proverb: “Never follow a leader who is more in love with power than people.”

Landry claims this appointment won’t affect his job as governor, but how can he be addressing Louisiana’s problems while dealing with Greenland? Louisiana has plenty of problems he was elected—and is paid—to handle.

Some argue that Revised Statutes 42:61 and 42:63 apply and prohibit him from accepting this position. I also heard that Attorney General Liz Murrill issued an opinion stating it was not allowed—paid or unpaid. So will Landry choose to work for Trump—or for Louisianans—or simply break the law? And will our AG file suit to enforce the law?

Louisiana’s problems are significant enough to warrant Landry’s undivided attention, given our low rankings on many national lists—specifically, two recent reports. The first was an Axios report analyzing interstate moves by Atlas Van Lines into states versus those moving out. Louisiana recorded the highest share of outbound moves for the second year in a row—both under Landry.

The second, from the National Taxpayers Union Federation, ranks states by the number of taxpayers moving in or out each year, based on IRS data. Again, Louisiana was the worst among Southern states and ranked 45th, at the bottom with California, New York, Illinois, Massachusetts and New Jersey—all blue states. The top states attracting the most new residents were Florida, Texas, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Tennessee—all red states like Louisiana.

This report shows how often a taxpayer moves in or out of a state. Florida gains a new taxpayer every 2 minutes, 9 seconds. California loses one every 1 minute, 44 seconds. Louisiana loses a taxpayer every 20 minutes, 26 seconds—roughly three an hour and 70 per day.

Kudos to the governor and LED Secretary Susan Bourgeois on the announced economic development projects. However, these two reports rely on current data, despite the tens of billions in industrial construction we have seen and enjoyed over the past several years.

Fact is, you can’t build a strong state by losing taxpayers and your workforce year after year. Our last period of positive in-migration was 2008-2015. Governor: Is your plan to recruit all 57,000 residents of Greenland to pack up and move to Louisiana to offset our losses in your first two years?

Get serious. Neither you nor Trump will obtain Greenland from Denmark. This is a publicity stunt at best (and I am sure you will get on Fox)—and simply a waste of your time and U.S. tax dollars when we have real challenges in Louisiana.

State champs

Congratulations to The Dunham Tigers for reaching the Superdome and bringing home the state championship trophy. Hats off to head coach Neil Weiner, his assistant coaches and the team—and to Dunham’s Steve Eagleton, the faculty and student body. The Tigers made the Capital Region proud. And a special salute to Dunham quarterback Elijah Haven, named the Louisiana Gatorade Football Player of the Year.