The Louisiana State Supreme Court has ruled that Livingston Parishs TIF bill, designed to lure Bass Pro into opening a store in the town, was unconstitutional because it used dedicated tax dollars in its funding. The court did not rule on the constitutionality of either the Tax Increment Financing statute, or the transfer of 75 acres of public land to Bass Pro. Instead the ruling stated that state law does not allow previously dedicated funds to be redirected without voter approval.
Bass Pro is claiming that, once other businesses open around its super-store, up to $135 million in sales will be generated annually in the area. Local government officials want to put the matter up for a vote in April. Bass Pro has issued a statement saying that it is “still interested” in building a store in the area.
