**St. Tammany Votes: Libraries Celebrate Win as Criminal Justice Proposal Fails** Voters in St. Tammany backed library funding but rejected a tax

# **St. Tammany Voters Approve Library Funding, Reject Criminal Justice Tax**

In a decisive election, St. Tammany Parish voters gave a **resounding "yes"** to renewing funding for the local library system but **rejected** a proposed tax aimed at improving the criminal justice system. The results highlight shifting priorities in the Northshore community, where public services like libraries remain a valued asset, while law enforcement funding faces pushback.

## **Key Results from the Election**

### **✅ Library Millage Renewal Approved (68% in Favor)**
Voters overwhelmingly supported the **10-year, 4-mill property tax renewal** for the St. Tammany Parish Library system. The tax generates **$10.7 million annually**, maintaining the current level of services, including:

- **Free public access** to books, digital resources, and educational programs
- **Children’s literacy initiatives** and after-school tutoring
- **Community events**, job training, and technology resources

Without this renewal, the library system would have faced **drastic cuts**, potentially reducing hours, staff, and services.

### **❌ Criminal Justice Sales Tax Rejected (53% Against)**
A proposed **0.2% sales tax** to fund improvements in the parish’s criminal justice system **failed** at the polls. The tax would have generated **$5 million per year**, earmarked for:

- **Expanding jail facilities** to address overcrowding
- **Upgrading courtroom technology** for faster case processing
- **Mental health and rehabilitation programs** for inmates

Opponents argued that the parish **should find alternative funding sources**, while supporters warned that failing to invest in justice infrastructure could lead to **higher long-term costs**.

## **What’s Next for St. Tammany?**

With the **library funding secured**, residents can expect continued high-quality services. However, the **rejection of the criminal justice tax** means parish officials must now explore other ways to address jail overcrowding and court backlogs. Possible next steps include:

1. **Seeking state or federal grants** for justice system upgrades
2. **Reallocating existing parish budgets** to prioritize jail improvements
3. **Revising the tax proposal** for a future ballot with modified terms

## **What Do You Think?**

- **Did voters make the right choice prioritizing libraries over criminal justice funding?**
- **Should St. Tammany officials try again with a revised tax proposal?**
- **Are there better ways to fund jail expansions without raising taxes?**
- **Could the rejection of the justice tax lead to rising crime or legal delays?**

Share your thoughts—**does St. Tammany need to rethink its budget priorities?** 🗳️