Plan Would Abolish CATS, Repeal Tax

An extraordinary number of scandals at the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) and widespread opposition to the $165 million CATS property tax have led to one Metro Council member proposing that the entire system be replaced.
Metro Councilman John Delgado (R-Baton Rouge) asked the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge to help him “end the embarrassment called CATS.”  Delgado has introduced a resolution to be considered by the Council Sept. 11 which would urge the legislature to repeal the statutory authority for CATS existence and repeal the CATS tax.  CATS was created several years ago by an act of the legislature and is a state agency.  For that reason, while the Metro Council appoints members of the nine-member CATS board, it has little day-to-day authority over the operation of CATS.
Delgado wants to change that.  His resolution would abolish CATS as a state agency and transfer its assets to the City-Parish government.  In turn, Delgado’s resolution calls for operation of the bus company to be privatized, or turned over to a private company to operate on a contract basis with the City-Parish.
Delgado said his plan would provide for continued operation of a public transit service but under private direction.  Delgado says the City-Parish would subsidize its operations.
Delgado says that one of the results of abolishing CATS would be the repeal of the 10.6-mill property tax, which voters in the City of Baton Rouge and City of Baker narrowly approved last year.  Instead, the Council would subsidize the new privately-run entity with general revenues.
Delgado said, “Some have tried to right this ship called CATS, but it’s a sinking ship.”
“We can’t continue to throw good money after bad,” he said.
He outlined his timeline at a meeting of the Chamber of Commerce of East Baton Rouge last week.  Delgado envisioned the following:
•    Sept. 11, 2013 — Metro Council passes resolution urging the Capital area legislative delegation to pass a bill to abolish CATS.
•    Spring 2014 — Legislature passes the repeal bill and provides for transfer of assets to City-Parish.
•    Late Spring 2014 — The City-Parish issues Request for Proposals (RFP) to private companies interested in operating the bus company.
•    August 2014 — The City-Parish selects the best bidder to provide the service.
•    January 2015 — A private company takes over operation of public transportation in the parish and the tax is repealed.
Delgado said, “The money has been misspent or stolen.  We need a change.  Please call your Council members and ask them to support this change.”
The Metro Council has a 7-5 Republican majority, and most are expected to support Delgado’s efforts. However, Delgado will have to hold every Republican vote or pick up at least one or two Democrats.
Metro Councilman Buddy Amoroso attended the Chamber EBR meeting and voiced his support for the plan.  Metro Councilman Ryan Heck was appointed to the CATS board earlier this year and has voiced views similar to those of Delgado.
The Metro Council will consider the resolution at 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Sept. 11.