Montgomery says sales tax vote will have a big say about that
By KEVIN CHIRI
Slidell news bureau
SLIDELL – When voters go to the polls on April 30 and once again are asked to pass a sales tax to support law enforcement and criminal prosecution in St. Tammany Parish there will certainly be some disgruntled anti-tax voices pressing the ‘no’ button.
That is because it will be the fifth time in six years one of several public officials is going to the public and urging them to provide more money for the criminal justice system.
This time, however, District Attorney Warren Montgomery is asking voters to see something different in the vote and provide the backing he says is critical to maintain the low crime, safe communities we all enjoy in St. Tammany Parish.
His biggest reason to ask for the money?
“We don’t want St. Tammany Parish to turn into New Orleans, where criminals are being let out on bail because it takes so long to get to trial,” he said. “That eventually leads to higher crime, and I can’t stand by and let that start to happen without trying to stop it.”
The “different” aspect to this sales tax request is one very clear point. Montgomery has reduced the sales tax request to less than 1/7th of a penny, meaning voters are being asked to pay 1 cent more for every $7 they spend on anything purchased in the parish.
For that mere penny, the District Attorney’s Office will receive approximately $8 million more a year that Montgomery has positively dedicated to one thing—criminal prosecution and ensuring there is a speedy trial for criminals, so they don’t get let out on bail.
Montgomery knew he would take lots of heat for even asking for the penny in tax money.
After all, a larger sales tax renewal was defeated three times when former Parish President Pat Brister asked for it. Then when current Parish President Mike Cooper asked for a slightly lower tax last year voters turned it down for the fourth time.
Most people were stunned to see the D.A. immediately step forward and say he would ask for the money again, albeit a considerably smaller amount at only a penny for every $7 a resident spends in the parish.
“Yes, I had lots of people say it was a mistake to go out for this,” Montgomery said. “But you know why I am doing it? Because I am the elected district attorney and I see what is happening. The parish has defunded our department in such a great way that we are already seeing some of our best prosecutors leave for more money. I can’t afford to pay them what they deserve now that the parish cut my annual budget more than half.
“If we don’t find more money, we are going to see our conviction rate go down and more criminals back out on the streets,” he stated.
Montgomery has produced outstanding results since taking office in 2014. His office has decreased the time between felony arrest and resolution by 16 percent; has had 38 percent fewer cases refused for prosecution; is third in the state for felony convictions; and has produced a 60 percent decrease in domestic violence cases dismissed.
“We’ve also increased the domestic violence conviction rate by 78 percent, so I think it’s clear our staff has done an incredible job making sure criminals are going to jail when they deserve it,” he said. “But without the funds to keep the best prosecutors, and move these cases to trial, some of these criminals will be let out on bail until their trial. That creates all kinds of problems in prosecuting cases, and positively leads to more crime.”
Montgomery said he is well aware of the anti-tax attitude out there but hopes his message of ensuring public safety resonates with enough people who will go vote on a day there is otherwise nothing on the ballot.
“The tax didn’t fail by much in past attempts,” he said. “For once I’d like to see people who really care about our parish, and maintaining the great law enforcement we have, help us out by going to vote. We need the support of those who believe we are doing a good job and I feel sure that one penny on $7 is worth what we are offering.”
Early voting starts April 16 and ends on April 23.