Sen Thomas Pressly Pushes New Standards for Port Board Seats
A new bill moving through Baton Rouge could change how future members are chosen for the Port of Caddo-Bossier board, and it is already stirring debate back home. In an interview on KEEL News, State Sen. Thomas Pressly said Senate Bill 170 is meant to add experience requirements and another layer of accountability for future port commissioners.
He argued the goal is not to punish current members, but to make sure new appointees have the background to help drive jobs and growth in Northwest Louisiana.
What Louisiana SB 170 Would Change
Pressly described the bill in simple terms. He said the governments that appoint members to the port board would need to choose people with knowledge in transportation, logistics, commercial real estate, or economic development. Those appointments would also be subject to Senate confirmation.
That matters because the port is not a small side project. It is a major public asset tied to economic development in both Caddo and Bossier parishes. Pressly said the bill is designed to keep future appointments from becoming political favors and to make sure board members bring real expertise to the table.
Why Pressly Says This Is Needed
During the interview, Pressly said he has concerns about the port’s direction. He pointed to the port’s property tax support, executive pay, and land purchases as reasons he believes the board needs tighter oversight. He also said the port’s mission should stay focused on bringing heavy industrial jobs and opportunities to the region.
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One of his sharper points was that this bill would not remove or disqualify current board members. Instead, it would apply as new appointments come up. That lets the debate focus less on personalities and more on the future shape of the board.
Why Some Local Leaders Are Pushing Back
Pressly acknowledged there has been resistance, especially from local officials who see the bill as the Legislature stepping into a local appointment process. He said he respectfully disagrees with that criticism and noted that the Legislature created the port in the first place. He also argued that Senate confirmation is not unusual in Louisiana, pointing to other boards and commissions that already work that way.
For local readers, this is really a bigger question about control. Who should shape the future of a publicly backed economic engine: local appointing bodies alone, or local officials plus the state Senate?
Current Port of Caddo-Bossier Board
According to the Port of Caddo-Bossier website, the current board is:
Joshua K. Williams, President
Judge Stephen V. Callaway (Ret.), Vice President
Brian Crawford, Secretary/Treasurer
Walter O. Bigby, Jr., Commissioner
Erica R. Bryant, Commissioner
Sam Gregorio, Commissioner
Roy Griggs, Commissioner
James D. Hall, Commissioner
Rick Prescott, Commissioner
For now, SB 170 is still moving through the legislative process. That means the debate over qualifications, oversight, and the port’s mission is far from over in Caddo and Bossier.