2021-0115
INTRODUCED BY: JULIA FISHER-PERRIER, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT VII
BETH A. BILLINGS, COUNCILWOMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION A
HOLLY FONSECA, COUNCILWOMAN-AT-LARGE, DIVISION B
LA SANDRA DARENSBOURG GORDON, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT I
MARY K. CLULEE, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT II
DICK GIBBS, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT III
NICKY DUFRENE, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT IV
MARILYN B. BELLOCK, COUNCILWOMAN, DISTRICT V
BOB FISHER, COUNCILMAN, DISTRICT VI
MATTHEW JEWELL, PARISH PRESIDENT
RESOLUTION NO.
Title
A resolution strongly opposing Senate Bill No. 226, a measure that seeks to create and establish the Southeast Louisiana Taxing District and authorizes the levy of a sales and use tax to reimburse the state for the costs associated with the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) infrastructure improvements.
Body
WHEREAS, following the devastation of Hurricane Katrina, the United States Congress authorized the construction of the HSDRRS, a 100-year level risk reduction system, including levees, floodwalls, pumping stations, and canal closure structures; and,
WHEREAS, projects implemented from this system, though located in parishes in southeast Louisiana, provided protection to the entire State of Louisiana, as such, the burden of the costs associated with this system should remain the responsibility of the State, as originally agreed upon, and should not be shifted to constituents and businesses; and,
WHEREAS, upon authorization from Congress, the State of Louisiana contractually obligated to a cost-share for HSDRRS in the approximate amount of $1.2 billion plus interest; and,
WHEREAS, as a result of the efforts of Congressmen Garret Graves, Cedric Richmond, and Steve Scalise, the State was able to secure language in the 2020 Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) that allows the State to save over $600 million in accrued interest plus more than $800 million in future interest that would have otherwise been due on the system if left unaddressed; and,
WHEREAS, the State of Louisiana, the proper party and legally obligated entity, should absorb the costs associated with the system, not the five parishes (Orleans, Jefferson, St. Bernard, St. Charles, and Plaquemines) in which the structures of the systems are located; and,
WHEREAS, the Parish Council and Parish President are in opposition of Senate Bill No. 226 which would essentially shift the burden of the costs of a system that provides long-term protection for the assets of an entire State to the families and businesses of the southeast parishes.
NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED, THAT WE, THE MEMBERS OF THE ST. CHARLES PARISH COUNCIL AND THE PARISH PRESIDENT, do hereby strongly oppose Senate Bill No. 226, a measure that seeks to create and establish the Southeast Louisiana Taxing District and authorizes the levy of a sales and use tax to reimburse the state for the costs associated with the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) infrastructure improvements.
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be forwarded to Governor John Bel Edwards, Senator Gary L. Smith, Jr., Senator Edward J. “Ed” Price, Senator Troy Carter, Representative Gregory A. Miller, Representative Randal L. Gaines, Representative Joseph A. Stagni, State Senate President Patrick Page Cortez, and Speaker of the House of Representatives Clay Schexnayder.
The foregoing resolution having been submitted to a vote, the vote thereon was as follows:
And the resolution was declared adopted this day of , 2021, to become effective five (5) days after publication in the Official Journal.
2021-0115 Oppose SB 226_levy sales & use tax_HSDRRS.docx
CHAIRMAN:
SECRETARY:
DLVD/PARISH PRESIDENT:
APPROVED : DISAPPROVED:
PARISH PRESIDENT:
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