I write to encourage you to vote YES on the proposal on the Dec. 10th ballot that seeks to re-dedicate an existing tax revenue to fund improvements to our parish’s juvenile justice programs.

This ballot measure is not a new tax. It is not a tax increase. It is a rededication of an existing tax that will provide much needed funding for a significant number of juvenile services.

With a YES vote, the redirected revenue would improve the home monitoring system, provide for additional staffing in the Juvenile Services Department and provide revenue for housing and transportation of juveniles.

Judge Madeline Jasmine, Judge Mary Becnel, and I each see the need for these improvements every week in our courtrooms.

We encourage you to vote YES. Please help to improve the juvenile services by voting YES on Dec. 10th.

— J. Sterling Snowdy, Chief Judge, 40th Judicial District Court