Should the Caddo Commission fund $32,500 to a FOR PROFIT arena football team that not only plays its home games in Bossier City but also has its offices in Bossier City?
The Louisiana Rouxgaroux is owned by Shreveporter Keith Carter and his team has now played three of its scheduled seven home games.
This funding request was the subject of a healthy discussion by the Caddo Commission this past Monday at its work session. The questions raised outnumbered the answers given by the team’s consultant, former Caddo Commissioner Lyndon Johnson, at the meeting.
Many more questions have been raised by the local media, including KEEL Radis’ Erin McCarty and Settletalk.
A public records request by Settletalk should be answered by this next Tuesday. “Should” is the operative word. The Caddo Commission administration has a very poor track record of timely responses to this request. The administration's response will be published in Settletalk.
The question requested the names and amounts of funding the Commission has provided to FOR PROFIT entities in the past 10 years. FUNDING, not tax breaks, is the direct question.
The Commission will hold a public hearing on the proposed funding at its April 9 meeting. A vote on the proposal can occur that day.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.