(The Center Square) — The Caddo Parish Commission spent two hours in its weekly meeting discussing its response to President Donald Trump’s agenda and whether to send letters to the White House opposing his policies.
Commissioners are divided on the proposed resolutions, which seek to oppose Trump’s policies on tariffs, cuts to the federal workforce and budgets by the U.S. Department of Government Efficiency.
The three resolutions ultimately did not pass after sparking heated and emotional testimonies from commission members.
Issues at the national level are now making their way into local government, which didn’t sit well with some commissioners, including Commissioner John-Paul Young.
“When we put resolutions about national issues on our agenda, they’re not really agenda items in my opinion, because agenda means things that need to be done and these are not things we are tasked with doing,” said Young.
“We have a reputation to live up to. And this just did not happen in 2025 when the new administration came in,” said Epperson, who proposed the resolutions.
Commissioner Ken Epperson called for a verbal vote as he sought to introduce Resolutions 18, 19 and 20 to the Caddo Commission. All three newly proposed resolutions opposed mass firings of federal employees, cuts to national aid programs, and tariffs against trading partners. If the resolutions passed, they would be forwarded to the Trump administration.
“May 14, 2024, President Biden initiated $18 billion worth of tariffs against China for electric vehicles, semiconductors, solar cells, batteries, steel, aluminum, and medical products. I don’t recall this body sending up a resolution back then,” said Commissioner Ed Lazarus of District 11.
The regular session was filled with members holding different opinions regarding national issues some for and some against the resolutions presented.
“I think we don’t do this enough, and I’ve expressed this before. The only way people in politics at whatever level will hear our voice is that we get the local people involved. It is time for citizens and voters to stand up against this tyranny,” Commissioner Roy Burrell said in support of the three resolutions. “When those who have benefitted the most, those with privileges stand by blindly and see our democracy destroyed.”
Waste and whether or not it is being handled correctly within the current administration was a topic amongst all commissioners.
Commissioner Victor Thomas said, “We all recognize that there is waste but it is not what’s being done, it’s how it’s being done. When you do these things, you have to inform people. You have to prepare them.”
“Don’t cut waste and then put it on those who are most vulnerable,” Burrell added.
However, residents in the regular session’s public hearing were divided as well.
“If their jobs aren’t needed, they need to go.” said resident Nancy Treadwelll. “I don’t oppose cutting national aid because 95% of it is fraud and waste. I don’t oppose these tariffs because there is a specific reason for them.”
Tony Williams, with the Caddo Community Action Agency, thought differently.
“Elon Musk has not been elected by the citizens,” Williams said. “What I see today in Washington D.C. is not smart… Vote to pass these resolutions.”
Resolution 18, opposing the mass firing of federal employees, received five opposed, six in favor, and one absent.
Resolution 19, opposing cuts to national aid programs, received five opposed, six in favor, and one absent.
Resolution 20, opposing tariffs against trading partners, received five opposed, six in favor, and one absent.
After Epperson called a verbal vote, all three resolutions did not pass.
