Democrats in the Louisiana Legislature have found a way to pass legislation that creates tax havens for large corporations at the expense of small businesses and citizens. And the worst part is a majority of Republicans are voting in favor of it.

House Bill 307 is a prime example. At a glance, the organization says its aim is to facilitate bioscience and health projects. But a few scratches to the surface reveal much deeper intentions. This will create a special ‘healthcare district’ encompassing both residential and commercial areas within the City of Shreveport, without notifying locals about the change or efforts to enact a Master Plan that could negatively affect private property rights.

This special district will be governed by an appointed board without oversight from voters. They will be afforded many privileges, including but not limited to receiving state and federal funding as well as the acquisition of real estate. They even made sure to reserve the right to purchase homes for personal use and can collect taxes while being exempt from paying any themselves.

The ‘Shreveport Healthcare and Innovation District’ sounds more like a business that doesn’t have to follow the same rules as everyone else.

Creating new jobs isn’t such an accomplishment when you are spoon-fed special funding and exempted from millions of dollars in taxes, which will only further burden Louisiana citizens and force more state funding into these districts down the road.

When new industry comes to an area, we should see property tax revenue that benefits the community. Instead, our ‘conservative majority’ seems to be helping the Democrats foster an environment for crony capitalism and corporate welfare to thrive.

After analyzing this bill, I can’t help but wonder if this will also open the door for foreign governments, like China, to establish biomedical labs or other similar facilities in Shreveport. We saw what happened at Wuhan.

Their advantage over property owners and small businesses when purchasing real estate within the district will force private industry out. This project will burden taxpayers, municipal utilities, and emergency services, without forcing the Shreveport Healthcare and Innovation District to carry their fair share of the cost. Shreveport will miss out on copious amounts of tax revenue for much needed infrastructure while being stuck to foot the bill on this pet project. HB307 contains too much favor and not enough oversight.

It’s no secret that local bills tend to pass through the legislature without much fuss. But is it possible that this tradition has opened the door for Democrats to push their agenda, with bi-partisan support?

Similar to the Tortoise and the Hare, could we be allowing a slow and steady push from the Left to continue due to a lack of vigilance? Only four Republicans stuck to conservative principles by voting NO on HB307. (View the roll call here.) Falling asleep on the job isn’t acceptable just because we have a majority.

Accountability is what has helped drain the Louisiana Swamp and we can’t afford to stop now.

Speaking of accountability, the only thing more appalling than this bill is the criminal history of the legislator who filed it. If we are going to turn this state around, Representative Jackson (or Steven “License Plate” Jackson as they call him back home) is the last person Republicans should trust with their vote.

Perhaps that story is for another day…

Lady Liberty