The Shreveport City Council approved the 2021 budget at its meeting on Tuesday.
The final budget includes an appropriation of "$250,000 per Council district to be used at Council discretion for initiatives to improve their Council districts."
Presumably these funds totaling $1,750,000 can be used for streets, special programs, and even self laudatory statues.
Several legal scholars have questioned the legality of this appropriation. These concerns are based on the Shreveport City Charter and the Louisiana Constitution.
Reportedly this issue has been addressed to Shreveport city attorney Ron Lattiere.
John came to Shreveport in January of 1977 when he was transferred to Barksdale AFB.
He’s been active in Shreveport politics since deciding to make Shreveport his home.
John practiced law for 40 years and he now monitors local politics. He regularly attends Shreveport City Council and Caddo Parish Commission meetings.
John is published weekly in The Inquisitor, bi-monthly in The Forum News, and frequently in the Shreveport Times.
He enjoys addressing civic groups on local government issues and elections.