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 unadd...
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