Secession crisis

If the St. George separatists get their way this fall, things are going to get very bad for Baton Rouge very quickly.

A new study claims the city-parish stands to lose approximately $48.3 million annually should the proposed city of St. George successfully incorporate in southeast East Baton Rouge Parish.

The study, prepared by Richard CPAs at the request of the city-parish's Finance Department, also claims every city-parish department and agency would need to cut its budget by a minimum of 18 percent across the board should the incorporation occur.

Currently only residents within the limits of the proposed St. George will be allowed to vote on the separation question. There's a bill in the legislature right now that would expand the vote to the parish as a whole giving a voice to the people who would be hurt the most by it.  It's scheduled for a committee hearing tomorrow.