Brett Jackson, 20, Democrat

Student, server

District 12

jacksond12mc.com

Do you support or oppose the $989 million bond proposal, as voters will consider it in November?

Support. It provides necessary infrastructure updates and includes public-private partnerships key to economic development.

Should city government focus on bringing new businesses and attractions for tourists more than building infrastructure and services?

No. The city-parish has too many infrastructural concerns that cannot be ignored any longer. That being said, spurring the economy is equally important.

Do you think parish property taxes are too high?

No, but audits should be done to ensure they are being spent the most efficiently to see if there is a possibility of maintaining current services at a lower rate to the taxpayers.

Do you think the parish budget is too bloated? If so, what are your plans to solve the problem?

I do feel some city-parish agencies are bloating the budget unnecessarily, due in part to the high cost of labor. While I don’t support layoffs during such tough economic times, I feel there may be other creative ways to solve this problem, such as four-day work weeks, a hiring freeze, etc.

What are your thoughts on the loop project? How do you suggest paying for it?

Any effort should be made to help congestion and spur economic development around all parts of the city-parish. I would encourage a public-private partnership to be pursued once all other sources of funding (federal, state grants, etc.) are exhausted.

Do you think the parish drinking ordinances are too loose or too restrictive? Should there be a special entertainment district established downtown with extended bar hours, an open container law or sidewalk-patio drinking? Should it extend to bars throughout the rest of the parish?

Too restrictive. People should have the freedom to choose when and where they would like to drink. We should not tell businesses to not make money just because there is a stigma about drinking.

Should Baton Rouge have at least a few Metro Council members who serve at-large rather than a geographic district? Why or why not?

Yes. I would support the addition of three at-large members. A 15-member Metro Council works very well mathematically for majorities (8) and two-thirds votes (10.) Also, this would help alleviate the NIMBY problem so prevalent in zoning issues.

The “One Baton Rouge” resolution fell short one vote last year. Is it up to Metro Council members to vote on such diversity issues? Where do you stand?

I would debate in favor of it and do what I could to ensure its passage.

Children across the nation are getting mauled almost monthly by pit-bull dogs. As a Metro Council member, how would you vote on breed-specific ordinances?

I would vote to ensure the safety of my constituents.

Name your top three goals if elected to the Metro Council.

1. Incorporate smart growth principles in zoning to ensure the livability of the city-parish for all citizens.

2. Develop incentives to attract new businesses and retain and strengthen old ones.

3. Coordinate with federal and state agencies to create a better system of transit, including extensive bike/pedestrian lanes, a reworking of the bus schedule and a light rail to New Orleans.