(The Center Square) – Shreveport’s elected leaders maintain that local economic development decision-making is the purview of the City Council and mayor, not lawmakers in Baton Rouge.
The council is opposed to House Bill 674 and Senate Bill 170 that would increase the Legislature’s control over local decisions.
“It appears that that takes away our local power and entrusting us to make decisions,” said Tabatha Taylor, council chairwoman.
Chance McNeely, the city’s lobbyist in Baton Rouge, provided an assessment at Tuesday’s regular meeting about Legislative actions affecting Shreveport.
HB674 would grant state officials more oversight and participation in city or parish economic development project negotiations. Rep. Tammy Phelps, a Democrat from Shreveport, introduced the measure. Phelps announced her candidacy to run for Shreveport mayor in the November general election, as one of five candidates challenging first-term Republican incumbent Mayor Tom Arceneaux.
“Economic development for Shreveport has never come from south of Alexandria,” said council member Grayson Boucher.
Meanwhile, Sen. Thomas Pressly, a Republican from Shreveport, authored SB170 that would make appointments to the Caddo-Bossier Parishes Port Commission subject to Senate confirmation. The port is governed by a commission who are appointed by city and parish governments to serve six-year terms.
“It makes them subject to Senate confirmation, which is unusual,” McNeely said.
Boucher opposes the bill, arguing it bypasses the council’s sole discretion in approving appointments.
“It actually kind of circumvents, I don’t want to say authority, but our involvement as a council in that, and says you’re not good enough to approve this person,” he said.
McNeely provided an update around the state’s capital outlay budget process. The Senate will take up “the money bills” in May, when Shreveport could learn the fate of its project submissions, he said.
The city has submitted approximately $181 million worth of capital outlay projects for transportation and roadway upgrade; parks, recreation, and community facilities improvements; water and drainage infrastructure; and public safety and lighting enhancements across the city.
There’s also a $50 million ask for a major expansion at Shreveport Regional Airport to support growth and operations.
