Baton Rouge Fire Department Police, firefighters and other first responders in East Baton Rouge Parish will receive a $2,500 tax break after the Metro Council approved the initiative after a lengthy debate Wednesday. Local governments were given the authority to grant the exemption after Louisiana voters approved a constitutional amendment in 2023. "First responders don't make a lot of money.
Every little bit helps first responders to save their money," said Jake Morgan, president of the Baton Rouge Firefighters Association. Prior to the Metro Council's vote on the initiative, Morgan urged the body to approve the measure and was later pleased to see it pass. "I love the way the council stood up for first responders," Morgan said, adding that this initiative will help with local retention and recruitment for Baton Rouge police officers and for the fire department.
Morgan said more firefighters left the Baton Rouge department last year to chase money elsewhere than any other year. The $2,500 exemption will be in addition to responders' homestead property tax exemption. Baton Rouge Police Chief Thomas Morse echoed Morgan on the idea that the exemption could benefit staffing.
"It definitely doesn't hurt," Morse said. "We're trying to get people to kind of work where they live. live and live with their work .
.. if we can't get them with pay raise, but we can get them rid of money off their property taxes, that's a great thing.
" Though it passed seven votes to two, the item spurred.