BREC: Autonomous State Agency

 Many people believe BREC, or the Baton Rouge Recreation and Parks Commission, is a unit of local government.

Oddly enough, it is not.  BREC was created in 1948 by an act of the Louisiana Legislature.  It was and is an autonomous state agency. Its decisions are not subject to review or disapproval by the governor or the legislature.  

BREC levies taxes subject to voter approval and can call tax elections on its own authority. The commission has nine members. They are the Mayor-President, a representative of the school board, a member of the planning commission, and six members appointed by the Metro Council.