SHOULD CADDO COMMISSION EXTEND TAX BREAK TO ENTITY HIRING ILLEGAL MIGRANTS?

The Caddo Commission is considering providing more tax breaks to T & A Truck Stop in Hosston, Louisiana.

This drama has been playing out for the last three commission meetings--two work sessions and one regular meeting.

Commissioner Chris Kracman, the commissioner for the district in which the truck stop is located, opposes two measures before the Commission to provide additional tax breaks to the developer. Kracman's extensive research is very commendable and supportive of his position.

Unfortunately, many commissioners have bought into the argument of an "implied promise". Of course, the vote is easy for them because it’s not their ox being gored. In other words, it’s not their problem because the truck stop is not in their backyard.

The developer promised that the truck stop would create 20 or so jobs. Presumably, these were to be jobs to "legals",--those that are American citizens or those with green cards.
A recent I.C.E. raid at the truck stop resulted in seven illegal aliens being detained and deported. These persons took the jobs of local Hosston residents who could have been employed, including (legal) minorities in the Hosston area.

This incident should prompt an audit of the truck stop records to ascertain if all of the representations made by the developer to receive the existing tax breaks have been satisfied. The illegal hiring of these persons may be a violation of all the developers agreements and negate the existing breaks much less the granting of additional ones.

The majority of the commissioners supporting these two pending matters may consider this to be an isolated incident and not of relevance. However, the upcoming votes will be setting precedents that will likely have long term negative consequences.