JOHN E. SETTLE JR
Goodness, the "pass a resolution" telling other government entities/officials what to do has bitten the Shreveport City Council, or at least two of its members.
Council member Tabatha Taylor has sponsored Resolution 48 calling upon the federal government to take action on student loans. Obviously the Council has NO jurisdiction on the federal student loan program.
Taylor also wants the council to pass Resolution 50 urging adoption of a House Bill on expungement. This is an issue for the state legislator, NOT the city council.
Councilman John Nickelson has sponsored Resolution 52 to thank President Biden on accepting Ukranian refugees. This is a presidential/federal issue.
Leaving aside the merits of these resolutions, the focus of Taylor, Nickelson and the other council members should focus on matters within the Council's jurisdiction.
Council members would not be appreciative of a resolution by the Caddo Commission or the state legislature advising what action the council should take.
Taylor and Nickelson teamed up to pass a six month liquor license moratorium and an ordinance that basically decriminalizes simple possession of marijuana. These ARE matters that the city charter contemplates.
If Taylor and Nickelson feel compelled to pass resolutions, a good place to start would be to urge the Pekins' administration to enforce the rules on nonclassified city employees and the requirement to take Personal Time Off to handle duties outside the scope of their city job.
Another resolution that would be great for either or both of them to sponsor would be to urge the Louisiana Legislative Auditor to timely complete its audit of Shreveport city government finances.
The council should stay in its lane when passing resolutions and especially those that deal with other government entities and officials. Simply put, grandstanding should not become a part of the city council agenda.
Hopefully these three resolutions will NOT be passed by the Council tomorrow--Tuesday.