A series exploring the highs and lows of Lafayette’s economy, providing critical commentary about what’s working and what’s not.
Projecting historically big increases in sales tax revenue, he is championing a quarter billion dollar increase in the city’s five-year capital outlay plan, including $132 million of new debt.
The lack of engagement might be forgivable if the proposal was amazing, but it’s not. We need to start over from scratch.
The marriage that is consolidated government is crumbling before our eyes, with both the City and Parish Councils failing to follow the fundamentals of healthy relationships. Something’s got to change.
The American Rescue Plan Act is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to make our community better, one we can’t afford to waste.
Most of the Protect the City Committee’s attention has been focused on how consolidation isn’t working for the city. But consolidation is hurting not just the city but the rest of the parish as well.
Since consolidation, the city of Lafayette has spent more than $100 million propping up the parish’s perpetually faltering finances. $100 million can buy a lot of opportunity.
The past and current mayor-president have used loopholes to appoint unqualified directors for LUS and LUS Fiber without the City Council’s approval.
Rather than contribute constructively to the important community dialog about the future of consolidated government, Guillory chose to pollute the waters by twisting the truth to fit his preferred narrative. The city and parish of Lafayette deserve better.
Discussions around deconsolidating Lafayette Consolidated Government aren’t just the academic musings of the chattering class. They’re about making local government more responsive to its citizens.
A generational challenge has no easy solutions. But there are opportunities to pivot using what we already have at our disposal.
Few will admit it out loud: What has been Lafayette’s most important economic sector will likely never recover the ground it lost.
Lost in the rancor is consideration of the positive impact that a mask mandate will have on Lafayette’s businesses.
Get it first. Sign up for our free newsletter.