Its unfortunate that skin color, as in race, has become a deciding vote factor for several members of the Shreveport City Council.
Retiring City Councilman John Nickelson recently said this: “Racial gerrymandering is wrong, no matter whom it disenfranchises. But our city’s collective challenge is to look past skin color when we choose our leaders.” He is right, but that is easily said and not so easily done.
Today, our faith in the judicial system has been renewed. For the SPOA members who have had to endure this life-changing persecution, you have our utmost respect. The political atmosphere of this country and this state should never be the motivation for any elected official, including the district attorney of Caddo Parish.
Civil rights groups recently filed a lawsuit against Louisiana after the Louisiana Legislature overturned Governor Edwards’ veto of a state redistricting map that didn’t follow law and create a second majority Black congressional district in Louisiana. A similar situation may be playing out in Shreveport after Tuesday’s City Council meeting. The council voted to accept a redistricting map that recognizes five majority Black districts and two majority White districts. In other words, 77% of the nine seats on the dais would be majority Black districts and with only 33% of the seats representing White majority districts.
Long before Juneteenth became a nationally recognized holiday, long before Juneteenth became a marketing and political tool for some, and long before Juneteenth became an organizing and “rally around the community” affair, there were those of us who celebrated this “day” as a family day.
If ever you wanted to see a poorly drafted resolution, then go to Resolution 989 of 2022 of the Shreveport City Council. It certainly wins the prize!
There has traditionally been a love-hate relationship between unions and corporate entities, especially in the deep South, where right-to-work laws are prevalent. Right-to-work laws are laws that are enacted by some states that guarantee that no individual can be forced as a condition of employment to join or pay dues or fees to a labor union. Louisiana is a right-to-work state.
The Shreveport City Council must send the Louisiana Secretary of State a new council redistricting plan by 4:30 p.m. on June 22.
At a time in our country’s history where divisiveness and polarized groups are more prevalent than ever, one must wonder what is the overall health of our nation.
The three local jurisdictions which levy a sales tax each showed a modest gain in May over a year ago. The city of Shreveport received $12,863,414, 3.0% over May 2021. The Caddo Parish School Board tallied a 7% jump at $$8,664,305. Caddo law enforcement's sum of $2,016,498 surpassed last year by 6.8%. The applicable rates are 2.75%, 1.5% and 0.35% for the three governmental bodies just above in the order shown.
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