After all three of East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards' Thrive tax rededication measures failed to get voter approval Saturday, his office began the process of laying off city-parish employees — starting with his own staff .

Edwards sent a letter to all city-parish employees Monday saying “we must now move forward with the difficult, but necessary, process of a permanent workforce reduction that may impact approximately 200 positions."

“We are committed to approaching this process with care,” the letter says.

In a statement, Edwards said the cuts “would start within my own office," and that four staffers were laid off Monday.

Edwards did not name the mayoral staffers getting laid off, but said it was one of "the most difficult days I have faced" since taking office.

"Thes

See Full Page