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3 Louisiana towns collect more in speeding fines than taxes
Source:
nola.com
- Oct 5, 2016
Local governments in Louisiana rely more on police fines and forfeitures for revenue than any other state, according to an analysis of U.S. Census data.
The Sunlight Foundation, nonprofit group that touts government transparency, reviewed 2013 Census information and other records. For its measuring stick, it looked at the ratio of fines and forfeitures to local taxes collected.
The national median was 0.02, meaning for every $1 in local taxes, 2 cents in fines or forfeitures are collected for government funding. In Louisiana, the 2013 ratio was 19 cents for every dollar. Arkansas has the second highest figure at 10 cents.
The Sunlight Foundation singled out Henderson as Louisiana's most fine-reliant municipality. The St. Martin Parish town is best known as a gateway to the scenic Atchafalaya Basin and for its crawfish.
In 2013, Henderson collected $3.73 in fines and forfeits for every $1 of taxes.
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Category: Louisiana
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