NEW ORLEANS – Together New Orleans has released the following statement in response to the Board of Commerce and Industry’s decision today to let Folger Coffee Co. skip out on taxes it owes to New Orleans:
“Governor Edwards made a commitment to the people of this state that he would respect the will of local elected officials about whether to approve corporate tax exemptions affecting local revenue.
“The action of the Board of Commerce and Industry today — overriding the unanimous decision of local officials to deny exemptions for Folger’s Coffee — undermines that promise.
“The decision to single out New Orleans public schools for punishment, overturning all six exemptions, was particularly arbitrary and cruel.
“Not all the Board members voted against local control. We appreciate, in particular, LED Secretary Pierson’s support for local control, both in his remarks and his votes.
“A majority of this unelected Board, however, think they know better about the interests of our community than its elected representatives.
“They don’t.
“We will not achieve our true potential as a State until the Board of Commerce and Industry stops giving away millions in taxpayer dollars without the consent of local communities.
It’s corporate welfare at its least accountable, and it should stop.”