CATS tax opinion sought
by Rebekah Allen - Advocate (excerpt)

A Baton Rouge state senator has asked the Louisiana attorney general to weigh in on the constitutionality of East Baton Rouge Parish public bus system’s property tax passed in April by voters in Baton Rouge and Baker.

State Sen. Dan Claitor wrote in his July 5 letter that the Capital Area Transit System tax election “runs afoul of the right to equal protection of the laws guaranteed by the federal and state constitutions.” “As much as citizens would like a properly funded and accountable service, a constitutionally flawed method of obtaining funding for the service cannot be ignored,” he wrote.

While the majority of CATS bus routes will serve roadways within the limits of the tax paying cities, some areas outside the city limits will also benefit from the service. “The new CATS tax unfairly benefits persons in the outlying CATS service area at the expense of those owning property within Baton Rouge and Baker city limits,” Claitor wrote. Claitor also said the April 21 election “disenfranchised many affected taxpayers” who own property that will be taxed in the city limits but who could not vote because their residences were outside the city limits.