Mayor-President Kip Holden Announces For Re-Election (Plans To Raise Taxes!)
by Jim Shannon - WAFB Channel 9 (CBS) (excerpt)

Mayor-President Kip Holden launched a bold plan Wednesday that could be political suicide for some sitting mayors. Holden formally announced plans for re-election, but he also launched a campaign for more taxes to begin an aggressive rebuilding of the city's entire infrastructure.

Holden will be counting on his own star power to pass an infrastructure initiative. Baton Rouge voters haven't passed an infrastructure tax since 1965, which was 43 years ago. Plus, in a move that astounds some, Holden plans to put the infrastructure issue on the same ballot as his re-election campaign. "We're gonna have to do something about our infrastructure. The two are not really tied together because I'm running for mayor, but at this same time, they are tied together in this sense that I see some drainage problems that have to be corrected."

The package should be unveiled to the public after the council has had a chance to take a look at the proposal. Holden released a list of 100 reasons why he should be re-elected. First was his hiring of Police Chief Jeff LeDuff, while last was his reigning as king of Spanish Town Mardi Gras.

COMMENTARY: WHILE CAMPAIGNING FOR MAYOR FOUR YEARS AGO HOLDEN RAILED THE INCUMBENT ON THE PROBLEMS OF CRIME AND TRAFFIC. HE PROMISED TO MAKE THEM BETTER. OBVIOUSLY, HE HAS FAILED TO MAKE ANY PROGRESS AS THESE PROBLEMS CONTINUE TO SPIRAL OUT OF CONTROL.

THE MAYOR CONTINUES TO GIVE A GREAT SPEECH AND CONTINUES TO GROW THE BUDGET EXPONENTIALLY, BUT BASICALLY BATON ROUGE IS NO BETTER OFF (MANY WOULD SAY MUCH WORSE OFF) TODAY THAN IT WAS THEN.

CLEARLY, THE BATON ROUGE MAYOR IS A GREAT POLITICIAN, BUT WHEN IT COMES TO ACTUALLY GETTING ANYTHING DONE HE IS "ALL HAT AND NO CATTLE."

(CARTOON BY RASCAL)