Columnist Geoff Daily explores Lafayette’s economy and government, providing critical commentary about what’s working and what’s not.
In total, the one mayor-president, five city council members, five parish council members and nine school board members we’re electing will decide how $5 billion will be spent in our community over the next four years.
Years of kicking the infrastructure can down the road has finally caught up with us.
Some want to claim that the only thing preventing us from fixing our flooding issues is a shift in priorities. But the reality is that the parish can’t afford to fix its drainage system without more revenue.
The mayor-president believes Lafayette is in its best financial position ever. His optimism overlooks flatlining property tax revenue.
Lafayette’s retail sales are on the rise after a string of bad years. But we still have a long way to go.
An improving unemployment rate offers an incomplete picture. Fewer people aren’t unemployed. Fewer people are working.
Walmart’s decision shines a light on serious issues with no easy answers.
Recent headlines indicate 2018 might be the year our economy started recovering. But there’s ample evidence that any optimism should be guarded given the situation our economy’s in.
The mayor-president has accused the library system of defrauding taxpayers to the tune of $21 million dollars. Unfortunately for his credibility, the facts don’t back up his claims.
Mayor-President Robideaux wants to rededicate $18 million from the library’s fund balance to pave roads and clean coulees, but there are hidden costs that must be accounted for.
New county-level economic data from the federal government paints a scary and precise picture of Lafayette’s economic decline.
With big news at Waitr bookending our first year publishing, beginning with its blockbuster sale to a Texas billionaire and ending with CEO Chris Meaux ringing the Nasdaq bell, 2018 has been a year of extremes.
Get it first. Sign up for our free newsletters. Learn more »