Much like some other local politicians, Caddo Commissioner Roy Burrell seemingly can't live without a public paycheck.

At practically every meeting of the Commission, Burrell brings up his past service as an elected official on the public dole. And he frequently likes to mix in national politics in his long-winded monologues which have no relevance to Commission business.

Burrell has served eight indistinguishable years on the Shreveport City Council. He also served eight non-descript years in the House of Representatives.

Burrell has now been on the Caddo Parish payroll for four years and he will start a new term in Jan. His paycheck as a commissioner is the highest paid to any part-time Louisiana elected official. And like most of the Democrats on the Commission, Burrell has traveled many times in the past four years to events on the taxpayer's dime.

In 2019 it was expected that then Commissioner Jerome Bowman would requalify to seek another term on the Commission. At the last-minute Burrell qualified for the seat--and Jerome did not because of outstanding ethics fines. In effect Burrell slid into the Commission seat as a surprise and unchallenged candidate.

Burrell qualified in for the Nov. election, and he was not opposed. Unfortunately, recent information that has come to light may have prevented his qualification. The failure to file income tax returns--both state and/or federal--can be grounds for an election challenge. It has now been discovered that Burrell has not filed state income for 2019-2022.

Burrell's service on the Commission has been uninspiring to say the least. And even more so his tenure as president for the last year. Many questioned his committee appointments and his public statements as president that did not reflect the consensus of the Commission. Most recently he stated on a podcast that at the next Caddo Commission food giveaway that recipients of food boxes should be required to show voter registration cards and/or proof of voting.

Burrell is now wants to be elected to the Democrat State Central Committee. His failure to pay taxes does not disqualify him for this seat since it is not a public position. Nonetheless voters should consider if the Democrat Party needs non-taxpayers on its governing body.

Unfortunately, the parish must suffer through another four years (maybe eight if he seeks a third term) of Burell on the Commission. No doubt Burrell will now attempt to replace Steven Jackson with long- winded self-serving monologues that only serve to add hot air to the Commission meetings.

Thankfully Burrell will have little support from his fellow Commissioners in his next term, especially the new ones taking the oath on Jan. 8. Its time, long past time, for Burrell to fade into the sunset like the pre-historic dinosaurs.