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A suit challenging the constitutionality of the CATS tax is now pending in the 1st Circuit Court of Appeal, and a decision is expected any day.  Milton Graugnard challenged the 10.6 mill in the City of Baton Rouge in Graugnard v. CATS.  The basis of the suit is violation of equal protection because people outside […]

On Monday, Together Baton Rouge held a news conference to express its lack of confidence in the current board of the Capital Area Transit System and called for the resignation of board chairman Isaiah Marshall. But last year, Together Baton Rouge sponsored and lobbied hard for House Bill 865 by Rep. Regina Barrow of Baton […]

After gaining approval of a $165 million tax increase last April from voters in the cities of Baton Rouge and Baker, the Capital Area Transit System (CATS) should find itself “sitting pretty.”  But instead the government-owned bus company finds itself mired in scandal.  The legislative auditor is conducting an audit, the state inspector general has […]

Robert Mirabito, interim chief executive officer of the Capital Area Transit System held a news conference Monday to announce that bus fare money is missing and may have been stolen.  Mirabito said discrepancies between cash deposits and computerized fare collection totals go back three years.  In some months, the discrepancy could be as much as […]

A review of campaign finance records filed with the Louisiana  Board of Ethics, corporate records at the Louisiana Secretary of State’s office, and the Advocate website provide a picture of who supported or opposed the $165 million CATS property tax increase approved last year. The two main organizations which publicly urged voters to pass the […]

TOP STORIES in Capital City News: • CATS Runs Wild: Scandal, Controversy Rock Agency • Possible Bid-Rigging of Contract at CATS Puts Pall Over Urban Socialist Enterprise • CATS Officials Can’t Account for Missing Bus Fare Money for Three Years (and Aren’t Totally Sure It’s Missing!) • Who Pushed FOR the $165 Million CATS Tax […]

Supporters of the incorporation of Watson, a community of 25,000 people in northwest Livingston Parish, said yesterday they plan a unique twist on their efforts to get enough signatures on petitions to hold a referendum on incorporating as a city. Registered voters will get to participate in a “drive-through” petition drive.  From 7 a.m. to […]

The 4.1-mile $65 million Central Thruway opened to motorists today, providing a direct, Interstate-quality link from Sullivan Road to Florida Boulevard.  Eventually, the project is supposed to connect to I-12. The highway was originally pushed by former Metro Councilman Joe Greco. According to David Barrow of the City of Central, the Central Thruway will tie […]

VAN GUARINO — Livingston Parish Literacy and Technology Center’s Automotive Instructor Van Guarino (center) is shown with Forrest Bellue (left) of Live Oak High and Tyler Palmer (right) of Holden High who each won state championship automotive competitions.  Each young man received scholarships and prizes totalling more than $23,000. Van Guarino is a native of […]

4TH OF JULY — Families and friends gathered on the Mississippi River levee last Thursday to watch fireworks.