[StBernard] Panel Seeks End To Crescent City Connection Toll

[Westley Annis]

At this point I would have to disagree with the panel's findings.  It is
short-sighted to look only at current bonds to be paid off when the the
Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority (CCCOA), formerly known as the
Mississippi River Bridge Authority (MRBA), has several excellent projects
proposed that will improve the efficiency of traffic on both the bridge and
the Westbank Expressway.  It is the desire of the CCCOA to see at least some
of these projecst become a reality after so much time has been spent by its
members and bridge administrators in the planning and design phases.  The
tolls will be necessary to complete these worthwhile projects.

John Scurich, member
Crescent City Connection Oversight Authority



-----Original Message-----
Panel Seeks End To Crescent City Connection Toll Other Recommendations Focus
On Education WDSU.com updated 6:17 p.m. CT, Mon., Sept . 21, 2009 BATON
ROUGE, La. - WDSU .com

Tolls would be eliminated on the Crescent City Connection in a little more
than two years if the state adopts a recommendation issued Monday by a newly
formed advisory panel.



A committee serving as part of the Louisiana Streamlining Commission issued
the report.

It notes that bonds supported by bridge tolls will be paid off by the end of
2012. The panel is calling on the governor and Louisiana Legislature to
eliminate tolls on the Crescent City Connection at that time.

Drivers of most non-commercial vehicles currently pay a toll of one dollar
to cross the bridge when inbound to New Orleans. Outbound traffic is not
charged.

Vehicles outfitted with an automated toll collections tag pay a discounted
fee of 40 cents at the gate.

Other recommendations in the Streamlining Government report focus on public
education.

To keep children in school, the group would require those suspended more
than five days or with an excess of 10 unexcused absences be enrolled in the
Louisiana National Guard Youth Challenge Program.

That program puts at-risk students on a path to receive their high school
equivalency diploma. Participants are placed in a military-style environment
that stresses teamwork and personal growth.

Additionally, the report recommends that the governor, state lawmakers, and
other statewide elected officials be required to serve as a substitute
teacher in a Louisiana public school at least two times a year. Officials
would not be paid for their teaching duties.

The Streamlining Commission is a 10-member board made up of elected
officials and private citizens. The Committee on Efficiencies and
Benchmarking, which drafted the recommendations, is chaired by State
Treasurer John Kennedy and Leonal Hardman, a union leader appointed to the
Commission by Senate President Joel Chaisson.