Plaquemines Parish — Parishwide Proposition (Sales & Use Tax Rededication)

What it does

Shall the Parish of Plaquemines, State of Louisiana ("Parish") be authorized (i) to rededicate 30% of net revenues collected in the future from the levy and collection of an existing 1% sales and use tax (the "Tax") authorized to be levied in the Parish perpetually pursuant to an election held on November 14, 2009 (an estimated $15,000,000 reasonably expected to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year), to provide funding for Plaquemines Parish Emergency Medical Services, such funds to be used for the purposes of paying costs associated with the provision of emergency medical services in the Parish, including operations, salaries, training and the acquisition and/or construction of land, buildings, equipment, and machinery for such purposes, and (ii) to continue to use 70% net revenues of the Tax for paying salaries, benefits, training, insurance, administration, maintenance and other costs associated with establishing a paid fire department for the Parish, with said funds to be additionally dedicated for expenditure for the acquisition of firefighting equipment, lands, buildings and machinery as may be necessary to provide adequate fire protection?

A YES vote means

Plaquemines Parish would rededicate 30% of future net revenue from its existing 1% sales tax to Emergency Medical Services and keep using 70% for the paid fire department and fire protection.

A NO vote means

The existing 1% sales tax revenue would not be rededicated, and 30% would not be shifted to Emergency Medical Services.

What it would cost

1% sales tax: $1 on a $100 taxable purchase. It would continue a tax already in place rather than add a new one.

Needed to pass

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Left–right lean

Not a left–right issue: a procedural or local question that liberals and conservatives don't typically split on (AI read of the official ballot summary).

The YES and NO lines are SpectrumVote's plain-language reading of the official text above; the official text is what you vote on.

Official text: source

Explained

Example

Based on the official estimate of $15,000,000 a year, 30% would be about $4,500,000 a year for EMS, leaving about $10,500,000 a year for the fire department. Actual amounts depend on sales. (source)

Who would notice

Plaquemines Parish's paid fire department and its EMS service, and the residents who rely on them. Shoppers pay the same 1% either way.

How it got here

District 7 Council member Carlton LaFrance proposed calling the election at the May 28, 2026 Parish Council meeting; the council debated it again on June 11 and unanimously approved the ordinance placing it on the November 3 ballot on June 25, 2026, the Plaquemines Gazette reported.

The State Bond Commission's election subcommittee listed the proposition (L26-191) for approval at its July 8, 2026 meeting.

What each side says

In the news

• Council Approves Ordinance to Place Fire Department Sales Tax Rededication on November 3 Ballot · Plaquemines Gazette, 2026-06-29
• LaFrance Proposes Election to Split Fire Department Sales Tax with EMS · Plaquemines Gazette, 2026-06-01

Written by SpectrumVote from 6 linked sources (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6). Arguments are each side's own, not ours; the official text is what you vote on.

Background

Plaquemines Parish's 1% sales tax was approved with no end date at a November 14, 2009 election and is estimated to raise $15,000,000 a year, according to the Louisiana Secretary of State's proposition text.

The proposition would redirect 30% of future net revenue to Plaquemines Parish Emergency Medical Services, while 70% would continue to fund the parish's paid fire department and firefighting equipment.

Put on the ballot by Parish of Plaquemines.

From official source.

Next elections here

• Louisiana December 12 election · December 12, 2026: 150 races
• Louisiana April 17, 2027 election · April 17, 2027: A statewide constitutional amendment, municipal primaries and the BESE party primaries
• Louisiana election 2027 · November 20, 2027: Governor and every statewide office, and the whole Legislature
• 2028 presidential election · Who has filed so far, from FEC filings

Quick answers

What does a YES vote on Plaquemines Parish mean?

Plaquemines Parish would rededicate 30% of future net revenue from its existing 1% sales tax to Emergency Medical Services and keep using 70% for the paid fire department and fire protection.

What does a NO vote on Plaquemines Parish mean?

The existing 1% sales tax revenue would not be rededicated, and 30% would not be shifted to Emergency Medical Services.

Will I pay more sales tax?

No. The rate stays at 1%. The proposition only changes how revenue from the existing tax is split between the fire department and EMS.

How much would go to EMS?

30% of future net revenue. Using the official estimate of $15,000,000 a year, that is about $4.5 million a year.

How long would the new split last?

The tax has no end date, and the State Bond Commission's listing describes the rededication of future proceeds as in perpetuity.

How many votes does Plaquemines Parish need to pass?

A simple majority: more than half of the YES and NO votes on this measure must be YES. Leaving it blank doesn't count either way.

Should I vote yes or no on Plaquemines Parish?

SpectrumVote doesn't endorse anyone or tell you how to vote. Read what a YES and a NO vote each do, and the official text, then decide based on what you want to happen.

When is the vote?

The general election was Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Counts are unofficial until each state certifies its results over the following weeks; your state or county election office has the official results.