The Facts About the Hotel Occupancy Proposal

Officials from Shreveport and Bossier City gathered again this morning to reiterate the need for citizens to vote 'yes' on the Hotel Occupancy Proposal.

The cities' leaders have done a great job this time of getting all the information out, even putting up signs and creating questions it addressed:

WHO WILL PAY?

This is a tax paid by overnight guests. The proposal will increase the hotel occupancy tax by 1.5%. Overnight guests would pay, on average, an additional $1.10 per room, per night. The proposal will NOT increase property or sales taxes for local residents.

HOW WILL THE REVENUE BE USED?

The revenue will be divided equally among the Regional Air Service Alliance, Independence Bowl Foundation and Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission. This translates to an estimated $600,000 annually per agency.

The Ark-La-Tex Regional Air Service Alliance (RASA) will use the funds to attract more flights to Northwest Louisiana, which means improved overall quality of air service, better connectivity and lower airfares.

The Independence Bowl has a direct economic impact of $90million on Shreveport-Bossier. The increased funds will be used to attract top-tier teams to play here in Shreveport.

The Shreveport-Bossier Sports Commission has had an economic impact of more than $40-million in the past four years throughout Bossier and Caddo Parishes. Its portion of the money will be used to attract sporting events to town.

WHO WILL BENEFIT?

Local tax receipts from visitors to Bossier and Caddo Parishes in 2014 were more than $21-million. This directly impacted schools, crime prevention, roads and bridges.

State, local and occupancy taxes paid by tourists who visit Bossier and Caddo Parishes save each parish household over $400 in taxes annually.

Tourism currently employs more than 44,000 people, with a total payroll of more than $208-million annually in both parishes.

WHY IS THIS SO IMPORTANT?

According to the brochure:
"Visitor spending via sports activities trickles throughout communities in Caddo and Bossier Parishes, allowing for better streets, improved schools and more after-school sports activities -- PROVIDING A BETTER QUALITY OF LIFE FOR THOSE OF US WHO CALL THIS AREA HOME."

Local officials said last time this proposition was introduced that not enough information was released to the public so citizens could truly understand what it was all about. We hope this helps as you make your decision either through early voting, which continues through tomorrow, or on Saturday, November 21.