Councilman Everhardt, a vocal of opponent of the tax proposal, was joined by Parish President Pomes and Councilmember Randall in defeating the tax proposal.
Voting in favor of the sales tax proposal were Councilpersons Cusimano, Moran, Meyer, and McCloskey.
Although the Council’s on screen graphics showed that the measure passed, the measure actually failed since the tax proposal required a super majority vote. Typically, four council members in favor of a measure is enough. However, a tax measure requires at least five votes in favor of the proposal to place the measure on the ballot for the spring election. The vote on the tax proposal came up just one vote short of a super majority and thus failed.
This was an important victory for the people of St. Bernard as the tax proposal was widely viewed as an effort to tank the Port litigation.
Tax proposals are difficult to pass at the ballot level, even under the best of circumstances. If the tax was not passed by a majority of the voters, which was the most likely outcome, it was widely believed that the Parish would be in a position to drop the litigation due to a lack of funding. That’s just how politicians manufacturer the outcome they are looking for. By taking away that excuse, the people have forced the Parish to press on with the litigation.
