Louisiana Supreme Court Ruling: St. George Organizers Celebrate, Mayor Expresses Disappointment

Organizers for the contentious new City of St. George can now forward with their incorporation plans after the Louisiana Supreme Court ruled in their favor on Friday in a major case for Baton Rouge.

“It’s the culmination of over 13 years of volunteers, hard work, dedication, and donations,” said Andrew Murrell, St. George’s spokesperson. “They devote their time and money to attending court hearings in New Orleans during the daytime. It’s the climax of their desire for something better. Louisiana’s highest court ruled in St. George’s favor by a four-to-three majority, finding the incorporation was legitimate and reasonable and those prior court verdicts siding with Baton Rouge officials included “legal error.”

The verdict marked St. George’s first major success since winning the incorporation election with 54% of the vote in 2019. They had spent nearly a decade working to establish their own independent school district before filing to put the new city on the ballot.

Mayor-President Sharon Weston Broome and Mayor Pro Tempore Lamont Cole sued the city organizers shortly after the 2019 election, concerned that a new city would divert millions of dollars in tax income away from the city parish and its public services. They also argued that St. George failed to obey state law when incorporating. Broome, who was later removed from the lawsuit by an appeals court, expressed unhappiness with the court’s decision but intends to work with St. George’s officials. She will “determine the best course of action” in reaction to the court’s decision in the coming days.

“My goal from the very beginning, and it has always been my goal, is to advocate for a united Baton Rouge,” Broome said in a press conference Friday. “I am committed to serving the residents of St. George, just as I served those of Baker, Central, and Zachary.” Broome said that Friday’s verdict underlines the importance of “continued leadership” as Baton Rouge prepares for its mayoral race this fall. Broome is running for her third and last term.

Cole did not respond to a request for comment, and his attorney referred questions to Broome. Broome said Baton Rouge leaders’ sole remaining legal option is to request a rehearing from the Louisiana Supreme Court, but it was unclear Friday whether Cole would do so.

Councilman Dwight Hudson, who represents the area of St. George and has been a fervent supporter, was overjoyed with Friday’s decision and intends to establish a new school district as well. He anticipates that negotiations between St. George and Mayor Broome will be challenging given the years of legal conflict.

“Just over the years, there was a total unwillingness to talk or to really have any kind of productive conversations,” Hudson told me. “It’s going to be really tough for her to repair some of those relationships.”

Murrell stated that St. George is ready to collaborate with Baton Rouge leaders to move forward with the incorporation and that a St. George transition district will strive to ensure a smooth transition away from the City of Baton Rouge. Councilman Cleve Dunn Jr. said Friday he fully supports the request for a rehearing of the case. Councilwoman Chauna Banks declined to comment, while other council members did not reply promptly to calls for comment.

According to BREC superintendent Corey Wilson, residents of St. George will continue to have continuous access to BREC’s parks, services, and amenities.

“It is our mission to contribute to a healthier, more vibrant community by providing exceptional parks, open spaces, and recreational experiences for all of East Baton Rouge Parish,” the mayor stated. “We work closely with the cities of Baton Rouge, Baker, Central, and Zachary to provide access to parks, programs, and events to all East Baton Rouge parish residents and we will continue to do so for those parish residents living within the newly developed City of St. George.”