re: BR is possibly getting a new MS River Bridge

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Bridge tolls are a perfect way to fund this. Let the people who use it pay for it.

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Bridge tolls are great for highway funding. Helps if the government can create a simple easy method of toll collecting. Here in houston we have one toll tag that works for any toll bridge and there’s no need for toll booths or slowing down.

The downside is politicians can’t be trusted to spend the toll money. Anyone familiar with the crescent city connection toll fiasco? The toll paid for the new bridge, which was fine. But after the bridge was built, the toll kept getting collected (and the toll booths snarled traffic). But with all that money, no further improvements were made. Instead it was spent on bureaucracy and needless insurance and unrelated highways god knows what else. Then when the toll came up for voter renewal, the sleazy politicians lied and rigged the voting to keep the tolls, and it was only through litigation that the tolls finally came off. In other words, the toll is likely permanent and likely won’t be used responsibly.

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EBR property taxes are ridiculous as it is. frick increasing it some more, I'll deal with the traffic

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No they aren't. Maybe you're against property taxes in principle and that's fine, but compared to the rest of the country, Louisiana property taxes are quite low.

ETA, Louisiana has 3rd lowest average tax rate.

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Louisiana’s assessed property taxes are among the most favorable in the United States. In fact, they are the lowest when analyzing a few metrics. Residents of Louisiana pay the lowest median property tax in the country with a median assessment of $243. An average of 0.45% of each individual’s income is paid towards property taxes, which is also lowest in the nation. Finally, Louisiana property taxes are an average of 0.18% of the property’s assessed value. This is the lowest ratio in the country.

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I’d pay a $10 toll just to loop around BR.

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And how do you expect for the commission to take out the substantial loan to start up?

La isn't like TX and able to just conjure up a billion dollars.

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Same way every other toll road/bridge is built... bonds backed by the revenue from the tolls. If needed... some special revenue bonds backed by a dedicated millage/sales tax.

I seem to recall this is how toll roads started in Houston. When they built the Sam Houston Tollway... they had to get some non-toll bonds as well since it was their first one. Metro (their transit authority) has a sales tax, so some of the sales tax money was used as backing for the bonds.

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Everyone gets to share in the fun

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I endorse this message. Now, if you say something silly like "only those that own property and actually pay property tax can use the new bridge"...I'm in! But F that if it is simply an additional property tax and nothing else. I am tired of paying for everyone else. If you want to use it...help pay for it. It really should be that simple.

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I seem to recall this is how toll roads started in Houston. When they built the Sam Houston Tollway... they had to get some non-toll bonds as well since it was their first one. Metro (their transit authority) has a sales tax, so some of the sales tax money was used as backing for the bonds.

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What bonds are you referring to?

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dont quote me but i do not believe the property taxes go toward infrastructure. It goes to school districts.

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Wrong.

Texas Comptroller site

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ETA, Louisiana has 3rd lowest average tax rate

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We also pay the highest sales tax in the country. LA taxes are higher than TX and TN when taken as a whole

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Someone still has to assume this risk.

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bonds are sold to investment firms.