TIFS

Much interest has been generated by proposed local "TIFS" or tax increment funding.  The Tea Party of Lafayette and The Pelican Institute will be presenting an evening with Randall O'Toole, senior fellow at the Cato Institute to discuss "TIFS".

Lafayette City Parish President Joey Durel again discussed his positiion on TIFs and taxes after this Tuesday's meeting of the Council. The council voted seven to two against a proposed ordinance that would have required an proposed TIF or tax to go to a vote of the people.

The Tea Party of Lafayette meets at the South Lafayette regional library tonight with a presentation about TIFs featuring Carol Ross.

The Lafayette City Parish President joined The Morning Report today to talk about the latest with the Charter Commission, an ordinance dealing with a Taxing Increment Financing measure on next week's agenda, and to answer questions about road projects.

The Lafayette City Council is scheduled to take a final vote on the ordinance that stops local government from creating taxing districts at it's next meeting in two weeks.

Lafayette City Parish President Joey Durel joined Bernadette Lee and Ken Romero for another edition of "Lafayette Live" this morning.  Durel answered questions about what would happen if voters do decide to vote in favor of an ordinance to have a separate city and parish charter.

On today's Morning Report Ken Romero and I had the chance to talk to two TEA Party of Lafaytte members about why they are opposed to TIFS.  Jeremiah Supple and Mark Tolson are very much in favor of business development, but they are very against government getting invovled with help to build a five star hotel.  Supple and Tolson explain their reasons:

Lafayette City Parish President Joey Durel spoke with the Morning Report about a variety of different issues including the financial impact of Mardi Gras and proposed TIFS.

Tonight, Lafayette City Parish Councilman Keith Patin will hold a town hall meeting for his constituents at the Southside location of the Lafayette Library.  Patin tells Bernadette Lee and Ken Romero that he thinks TIFS are likely to be discussed.

Panelists Anthony Emmons, Carol Ross and Mike Stagg debated issues related to the Obama Administration's 2012 budgets and TIF districts.

Lafayette City Parish Council Chairman Jay Castille weighed in on the issue of special taxing districts in Lafayette for improvements at Ambassador and Kaliste Saloom along with the I-10/I-49 corridor.  Castille says hopefully the council will let the item fall off the agenda at tonight's meeting, as he says constituents have been vocal, saying they don't want any part of it.  He talks more about