Comments for Robideaux’s UL bill under fire at http://www.theind.com , comment 1 to 6 out of 6 comments http://www.theind.com Wed, 19 Jun 2013 09:34:38 +0100 FeedCreator 1.7.3 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8242-robideauxs-ul-bill-under-fire#comment-17420 Can we have an update please? I'm reading that UL is asking Robideaux to pull the bill for now, but that the Development District would be akin to the downtown Development District. As to the reasons for the district, the piece posted on UL Today sheds light on Dr. Savoie's intent. http://ultoday.com/node/3675 I think some solution can be created which addresses the governance concerns Ms. Ross raised. We have other districts which are subordinate to the City of Lafayette, and there's no reason why the City couldn't be in charge of appointing a board of governors with fealty to if not employment with the University. Since university lands are already not subject to property taxes if my understanding is correct, there would be no potential to have a Tax Increment on property to finance any development on its lands. Now if that district includes non-university lands, then that's another story. In fact that would slightly mirror the DDA in that its revenue is based on a 10 or so mills property tax, but not one which leveraged tax increments on existing property taxes. Had we done that, DDA would have even more resources to work with today (though other funds to city and parish would be less.) So really all we have in these parts are sales tax districts popping up. Maybe there is another solution than these two tax types. Still, a sales tax worked for the Stirling at I-10 district, and one form or another could work for UL. Having a local tax to support UL would not be inconsistent with this community's support for our university. I've read at least one account that indicated that Lafayette Parish passed a property tax in early years to help fund the Southwestern Louisiana Industrial Institute, UL's original name. Hopefully they'll come back and build support and a broad acceptance for their plans. It's not about shorting anyone, it's about enhancing Lafayette's position and our university's development. - Jason D. Faulk Sat, 07 May 2011 07:52:44 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8242-robideauxs-ul-bill-under-fire#comment-17403 Many thanks to Carol Ross and the Members of the TEA Party of Lafayette. The response to our newsletter and action alerts about House Bill 566 was overwhelming! The citizens of Lafayette, of Louisiana and of this great nation are TAXED ENOUGH ALREADY! It is time for those elected by the people to serve the people. House Bill 566 was a blatent power grab and an attempt at Taxation without representation. My appreciation to the many members of TEA Party who called, emailed and wrote to stop this bad piece of legislation. - Joyce Linde/ Coordinator of TEA Party of Lafayette Fri, 06 May 2011 12:58:22 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8242-robideauxs-ul-bill-under-fire#comment-17376 Carol Ross is correct. Robideaux needs to remember he was not elected by the UL administration. - James Melancon Fri, 06 May 2011 08:02:17 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8242-robideauxs-ul-bill-under-fire#comment-17352 A blatant cash grab by an institution that has been less than responsible in the way it handles it's money. Get rid of Professor Dead-Head (Chris Williams), get ALL of the money back that was embezzled by the former head of Petroleum Engineering (he was allowed to retire with full benefits after repaying less than a third of the nearly one hundred grand he stole), locate the couple of hundred missing lap tops, then maybe we'll see. - jazzpop Thu, 05 May 2011 19:05:24 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8242-robideauxs-ul-bill-under-fire#comment-17347 Mr. Pierce has it wrong; it is about much more than Section F. It is about a state university getting the power, in perpetuity, to tax citizens to fund itself, to enlarge the taxing district whenever the Board of UL appointees chooses. This is a really really bad idea. As Carol Ross observes, it is likely unconstitutional. Mr. Robideaux has been made a sucker by the folks at UL. - delcam Thu, 05 May 2011 17:33:12 +0100 http://www.theind.com/news/indreporter/8242-robideauxs-ul-bill-under-fire#comment-17310 very well put Ms Ross. - I agree Thu, 05 May 2011 11:59:22 +0100