BGR Publications List

To request a printed version of any publication, e-mail Helen Williams. Single copies of publications are free to BGR members. Others should request a price. Most publications are available for downloading; just click on the hyperlinked title. Large files will open in Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you do not have Acrobat Reader, click here to link to Adobe’s website to download that program. Please note that the larger documents may take several minutes to download.
June 2008	*World Trade Center Letter* BGR has sent a letter to members of the New Orleans City Council expressing concerns about certain aspects of the proposed redevelopment of the World Trade Center property downtown (6/19/08). To read the letter, click here.
June 2008	On the Ballot: Orleans School Taxes On the Ballot: Orleans Parish School Tax Renewals (6/23/08) provides an overview of four New Orleans property tax millages up for voter renewal on July 19. Read the report here.
Feb.-April 2008	Mending the Urban Fabric Mending the Urban Fabric: Blight in New Orleans is a two-part series analyzing blighted property programs and recommending reforms. In Part I (2/12/08), BGR addressed the structure, goals and strategy of New Orleans' blight programs. In Part II (4/14/08) BGR focuses on code enforcement and procedures for successful redevelopment. See Part 1: Structure and Strategy (February 12). See the press release. See Part II: Procedures for Successful Redevelopment (April 14). See the press release.
March 2008	Drafting a TIF Policy for New Orleans The City of New Orleans is working on a draft policy governing tax increment financing. BGR submitted comments on the February 2008 draft at the request of the City Council’s Special Development Projects and Economic Development Committee. Read BGR's comment letter (3/12/08). The letter recommends that the City look to San Antonio's TIF policy for guidance. In November, BGR submitted a letter commenting on a City TIF policy report.
December 2007	Open Letters: The Future of N.O.'s Blight Programs BGR has been conducting extensive research on blighted property issues in New Orleans and is preparing a study for future publication. Drawing on that research, it is also responding to current developments. On December 11, BGR sent a letter to the City's Office of Recovery Management recommending changes to local blighted property programs. The week before, it sent a letter to the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority regarding its proposal to the Louisiana Recovery Authority for the properties the State is acquiring through the Road Home program. Read the press release here. Read the letter to the Office of Recovery Management here. Read the letter to the New Orleans Redevelopment Authority here.
November 2007	The Clarity Deficit This release (11/28/07) calls on the City of New Orleans to conform to charter requirements in producing its capital budget.
October 2007	On the October 20 Ballot The Bureau of Governmental Research today releases On the Ballot, an analysis of four proposed amendments to the State constitution and one proposed amendment to the St. Tammany Parish home rule charter. The report covers amendments that will go before voters on October 20, 2007. Read the report and the press release.
September 2007	Stop the Insanity on Subsidies In the face of mounting developer requests for subsidies, this release (9/17/07) calls for the City of New Orleans and the Industrial Development Board of New Orleans to stop approving subsidies until they have implemented promised policies and procedures. Read the release here.
September 2007	*Jumping the Gun on Recovery Plans* This release (9/5/07) raises concerns about proposed budget approvals for the Office of Recovery Management's plans in advance of a public vetting of those plans. Read the release here.
August 2007	Cementing Imbalance Cementing Imbalance: A Post-Katrina Analysis of the Regional Distribution of Subsidized Rental Housing is the latest in a series of BGR reports on affordable housing issues. It includes parish by parish data and maps showing the distribution of subsidized housing in the most populous parishes. See the report and the press release. The following maps are available: Project-Based Rentals: Jefferson Orleans St. Tammany All Subsidized Rentals: Orleans
August 2007	Of Equitable Assessments & Lower Tax Rates BGR provided this piece for publication in Gambit Weekly, explaining the ways in which significantly increased assessments can be about fairness and the common good.
May 2007	Seeking Subsidies on Top of Subsidies In a follow-up to Protecting New Orleans’ Tax Base: Which PILOTs Should Fly? BGR raises concerns about requests for local property tax subsidies to housing developments that have already received subsidies through state and federal programs. See the report here. Read the press release here.
May 2007	Budgeting in a Time of Crisis In Budgeting in a Time of Crisis: A Review of the City of New Orleans’ 2007 Budgets, BGR examines the City’s operating and capital budgets for 2007, the second post-Katrina fiscal year. See the report here. See the press release here.
May 2007	UNOP Revisited In UNOP Revisited, BGR follows up on its previous report on the Unified New Orleans Plan citywide product, focusing on the revised plan. It offers recommendations to the City Planning Commission for further revisions. Read the report and the press release.
May 2007	Public Investment, Private Developers In Public Investment, Private Developers: How Louisiana Deployed Its GO Zone Housing Tax Credits, BGR analyzes the unit production and geographic distribution of developments awarded $1.7 billion worth of Gulf Opportunity Zone Housing Tax Credits. In addition, it analyzes the financing and costs of projects that received tax credit awards in December 2006. Developments in that group were eligible to “piggy-back” the tax credits with loans of federal Community Development Block Grant funds made available through a Louisiana Recovery Authority program. Read the report here. Read the press release here.
March 2007	Protecting New Orleans' Tax Base In Protecting New Orleans’ Tax Base: Which PILOTs Should Fly? BGR addresses New Orleans’ system for handling property tax subsidies through the payment in lieu of taxes (PILOT) mechanism. This report comes at a time when requests for such subsidies are increasing. The report can be found here. See also the press release.
March 2007	Not Ready for Prime Time: The Citywide Plan BGR provides an analysis of the nearly 600-page draft Citywide Plan, the centerpiece of the Unified New Orleans Plan process. Not Ready for Prime Time: An Analysis of the UNOP Citywide Plan can be found here. See also the press release.
March 2007	*Jefferson Parish Ballot Propositions* In On the Ballot, BGR analyzes three tax propositions to go before voters in Jefferson Parish on March 31, 2007. The propositions would provide funding for the public schools, recreation and drainage. The report can be found here. See also the press release.
October 2006	*Issues on the November 7 ballot* “On the Ballot” is an analysis of proposed constitutional amendments of particular significance to the New Orleans region. This issue covers amendments that went before voters on November 7, 2006 -- including consolidation of assessors. Read the report. Read the press release.
October 2006	*Office of Inspector General* In September 2006, members of the New Orleans City Council introduced an ordinance to establish an Office of Inspector General. Read BGR’s letter to the City Council as well as the version of the ordinance introduced on October 19 and the final version approved by City Council on November 2.
September 2006	*The Road Home Rental Housing Program: Consequences for New Orleans* BGR's report on the Louisiana Recovery Authority's Road Home rental housing program raises serious concerns about the implications of the program in New Orleans. Read the final edition of The Road Home Rental Housing Program: Consequences for New Orleans (9/18/06), revised and designed to be more reader-friendly. Related links: Office of Community Development, Road Home Action Plans http://www.doa.la.gov/cdbg/dractionplans.htm Louisiana Housing Finance Agency, Low Income Housing Tax Credit Draft Allocation Plan http://www.lhfa.state.la.us/programs/rental/htc-dwnlds.php Louisiana Recovery Authority http://www.lra.louisiana.gov/
September 2006	*Issues on the September 30 ballot* On September 30, Louisiana voters were asked to approve 13 constitutional amendments. This report focused on those that amendments relevant to Greater New Orleans in four arenas: coastal restoration and flood/hurricane protection, expropriation, the homestead exemption, and unfunded state mandates. Read On the Ballot for September 30, 2006 (9/18/06). See also the press release and An Expanded Discussion of Expropriation: Constitutional Amendment No. 5.
August 2006	*Planning for a New Era* In this follow-up to its October 2003 report Runaway Discretion, BGR sets forth proposed charter amendments to reform planning and land use decision making in New Orleans. See Planning for a New Era: Proposed Charter Changes for Land Use Decision Making in New Orleans (August 2006). See also the press release, a one-page summary, and the 2003 report.
November 2005-May 2006	*BGR Reports ...* Following the 2005 disaster, BGR began publishing web-based reports on the rebuilding of New Orleans. To read the reports, click on the links below: City Council Contract is Out of Bounds (5/8/06) Related documents: 2004 Request for Statement of Qualifications 2004 Professional Services Agreement 2006 Professional Services Agreement City Council Rule 45 on Competitive Selection The 'Road Home' Takes a Wrong Turn (4/13/06) Why Consolidate Assessors? (3/22/06) Building a Trust Takes Time (2/16/06) One Need, One Levee Board (2/8/06) Structuring a Responsive and Responsible Redevelopment Authority (2/1/06) Unfair Assessments Become More Unfair and Arbitrary (1/26/06) Wanted: A Realistic Development Strategy (12/22/05) BGR Calls for Clarity and Increased Public Participation in City Planning Effort (11/14/05) Letter to Members of the Bring New Orleans Back Commission, offering detailed suggestions on how to enhance citizen participation in the Commission’s planning process. (11/14/05)
April 2006	Challenge for Mayoral Candidates: Professional Services Contracting Reform BGR challenged New Orleans mayoral candidates to implement BGR’s model for professional services contracting reform within 90 days of assuming office. To read the model and the accompanying press release, click on the links below. Challenge for Mayoral Candidates: Professional Services Contracting Reform Press Release
April 2006	*Municipal Bankruptcy in Perspective* BGR and PAR have issued a joint report calling for a full appraisal of financial options for local governments in fiscal crisis. See Municipal Bankruptcy in Perspective with press release.
August 2005	BGR Comments on Condominium Subsidies The Times-Picayune carried an Op-Ed piece by BGR's President Janet Howard on the issue of public subsidies for high-end condominiums. Condo market thrives without public aid (Times Picayune 8/24/05)
May 2005	Unfair Assessments, Excessive Exemptions: How New Orleans' Property Tax System Hurts Government and Taxpayers In New Orleans, too many property owners pay little or no taxes on their properties; exemptions are granted regardless of need; and, as a result of inconsistent assessments, properties of similar value bear widely different tax burdens. In this report, BGR illustrates the impact of under-assessments and excessive exemptions on local governments and taxpayers in Orleans Parish. It also briefly reviews pending legislation that would exacerbate inequities and further limit the revenue base of local governments. Click here for the report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release.
January 2005	Funds & Games: Paying for the Saints The New Orleans Saints and the State of Louisiana are in the midst of negotiations that will determine whether the Saints remain in New Orleans. Sports subsidies present communities with difficult political and financial decisions. In this report, BGR seeks to provide policymakers and the public with background information relevant to current negotiations with the Saints. Click here for the report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release.
November 2004	On the Right Track? New Orleans Economic Development Investment in Perspective To provide citizens and government with a better understanding of their investment, BGR presents in this report an overview of economic development expenditures in New Orleans. Click here for the Full Report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release in PDF format. Click here for the Sources Summary, an appendix to the Full Report, in PDF format. Click here for the Sources Consulted for the Full Report in PDF format.
October 2004	Issues on the November 2, 2004 Ballot In this report, BGR analyzes two of four state constitutional amendments that will appear on the November 2 ballot. The two amendments would modify the homestead exemption and the veterans' preference. In addition, BGR provides voters in New Orleans with information on a proposed $260 million bond issue and Jefferson Parish voters with information on two ballot propositions that would exchange one set of property tax dedications for a different set of dedications Click here for the Full Report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release.
August 2004	System Upgrade: Retooling New Orleans’ Civil Service BGR examines the health of the merit system in New Orleans’ City government. This report suggests a number of prescriptions to improve the management of human resources and reinforce merit principles. Click here for the Executive Summary report in PDF format. Click here for the Full Report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release. BGR is also providing the following related information. See our Links page for additional web sites related to Civil Service. Click here to listen to the August 20, 2004 interview of BGR President Janet Howard on "The Bob Christopher Show" on Biz Radio 990. The interview is a thorough and thoughtful discussion of the issues raised by the report. (Approximately 41 minutes.) New Orleans Pay Plan Rules of the Civil Service Commission of the City of New Orleans Agenda and Minutes of Commission meetings Louisiana Louisiana Constitution, Article X
April 2004	April 17, 2004 Ballot Issue for the Renewal of Property Tax for Jefferson Parish Public School System BGR analyzes the property tax renewal, considering the taxpayers’ investment and its importance to the school system. Click here for the report in PDF format.
February 2004	UNECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT: An analysis of the World Trade Center Lease In a ground-breaking report, BGR tests the City’s claims of economic benefits in the World Trade Center hotel conversion. The report digs deep beneath the surface to unearth the fiscal imprudence of the lease deal for the City. Click here for the report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release.
March 2004	Jefferson Parish Fiscal Outlook BGR predicts tight financial times ahead for Jefferson. What can the Parish do about it? This report offers an array of options for keeping the parish coffers filled. Click here for the report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release.
November 2003	*Slip-Sliding Away? The Challenge of Implementing St. Tammany's Vision for Growth Management* Quality of life problems, traffic congestion, chaotic growth patterns, and environmental degradation are plaguing St. Tammany. “Slip-Sliding Away?” serves as a no-nonsense guidebook for a greener, cleaner, more people-friendly Parish. Click here for the report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release.
October 2003	*Runaway Discretion: Land Use Decision Making in New Orleans* This highly popular report reveals deep flaws in New Orleans’ land use decision making process, its approach to zoning, and its interaction with businesses and citizens. It suggests legal changes in the City’s approach to land use decisions, placing neighborhoods and citizens at the center of reform. Click here for the report in PDF format. Click here for the Press Release. Click here for a PDF of "Models for Neighborhood Participation," an appendix to this report.
September 2003	*Issues on the October 4, 2003 ballot.* It describes the propositions, provides background information, and analyzes the propositions, presenting the arguments for and against them. The report also includes BGR's positions on the issues. BGR is also providing additional background information.
April 2003	*Tax Increment Financing in New Orleans* BGR issued a study on the use of tax increment financing (TIF) in New Orleans. The study reviews the use of TIF in general and in New Orleans in particular. Click here for the full report.
October 2002	*Report of Proposal Evaluation Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans Water and Wastewater Systems Managed Competition* For more than a year and a half, the Sewerage & Water Board ("S&WB") has actively pursued a procurement for the private management, operation, and maintenance of the S&WB’s water and wastewater systems. This week the S&WB is scheduled to take a critical step in the process: deciding whether or not to contract out (privatize) these large and vitally important segments of it operation.
October 2002	*Jefferson Parish Charter Amendments November 5, 2002 Ballot* On November 5, 2002, Jefferson Parish voters will be asked to approve four propositions that together offer eight amendments to the existing parish home rule charter. The propositions bear directly on term limits and council structure, among other issues.
June 2002	*Sewerage & Water Board Privatization at a Critical Stage* The new study reassesses the S&WB’s selection process in light of developments over the past year and discusses certain critical issues with the S&WB’s proposed service agreement. Also available is BGR Press Release
May 2002	The St Tammany Parish Home Rule Charter: An Assessment BGR presents its report assessing the St. Tammany Parish Home Rule Charter. BGR found a general consensus that the charter is working well and represents an improvement over the police jury system that it replaced. However, some fine-tuning is in order. (Includes an Appendix which presents the entire Charter and compares it to the 1979 Charter.)
February 2002	*Charter Amendment March 2, 2002 Ballot* On March 2, 2002, Orleans Parish voters will be asked to decide whether the City Charter should be amended to require voter approval of decisions by the Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) to enter into certain privatization contracts.
January 2002	*New Orleans Business & Industrial District Millage Proposition* On February 2, 2002, the voters of New Orleans will consider a proposition to authorize the extension of the property tax millage for the New Orleans Business and Industrial District (“NOB&ID” or the “District”).
January 2002	Challenge for a New Mayor: Professional Services Contracting Reform BGR presents its new Professional Services Contracting Model along with a pledge for current mayoral candidates in New Orleans to sign, promising to implement these specific and fundamental reforms.
November 2001	*Legal Services Contracting at the Local Level* Follow links for Appendix A - Eighteen local government entities Appendix B - Written Contracts Appendix C - Text of Cited Louisiana Laws
November 2001	*Public Contracting for Legal Services* A collaborative effort by Bureau of Governmental Research, Public Affairs Research Council, and The Public Law Center. For additional information on state legal services please see PAR website.
September 2001	*Third Term Charter Amendment* With this report BGR provides an analysis of the arguments for and against the proposed charter amendment allowing a third consecutive term and provides BGR’s position.
September 2001	City of Harahan Demographics Finances and Employee Salaries examines the history and current state of the operating budget and compares revenues and expenditures, including salaries, with those of comparable Louisiana cities.
July 2001	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: Jefferson Parish Public School System Performance and Financial Review* This Outlook discusses the financial challenges facing the JPPSS and the current academic performance of its schools.
June 2001	*Privatization of Water and Wastewater Systems in New Orleans: BGR Analysis of Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans Proposal* Follow this link to read the full report.
March 2001	*DDD Tax and Bond Proposal* This report presents BGR's position on the ballot for April 7, 2001
October 2000	*Constitutional Amendments on the November 7, 2000 Ballot* In this report BGR reviews the four proposed changes in the state constitution and takes a position opposing the fourth.
October 2000	*Bond Propositions in Orleans Parish: November 7, 2000 Ballot* This report presents BGR’s positions on ballot propositions to allow the issuance of general obligation bonds of $150 million by the City of New Orleans and $27 million by the Law Enforcement District.
October 2000	*BGR Outlook on Orleans: Overview and Status Report on the New Orleans Capital Program* This issue of the Outlook series examines the capital budget process of the City of New Orleans and critiques the implementation of the 1995-approved building program.
May 2000	BGR Outlook on Orleans: Privatization of Sewerage and Water Board Operations. This edition of Orleans Outlook examines the financial health of the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board (S&WB) and the role privatization can play in improving the S&WB's “bottom line.”
December 1999	Property Tax Exemption and Assessment Administration in Orleans Parish This report examines property tax exemptions for nonprofit organizations, and analyzes assessment administration in Orleans Parish. News release (3 pgs, 10KB) Summary and Recommendations (20 pgs, 641KB) Full Report Main Body (100 pgs, 587KB) Appendices A: Excerpts from the Louisiana Constitution (6 pgs, 137KB) B: Comparison of Exemption Classifications (2 pgs, 81KB) C: Interpretative Case Law and Opinion (8 pgs, 172KB) D: Model Application Forms (18 pgs, 155KB) E: Current Exemption Application Form (1 pg gif, 364 bytes) F: Residential Ratio Studies Analysis (8 pgs, 217KB) G: Example of Assessor's Parcel Map (1 pg, 130KB) H: Sampling of Assessors' Website (2 pgs, 82KB) I: Assessment Methods (6 pgs 184KB) Sources Consulted (12 pgs, 173KB)
November 1999	*BGR Recommendations on Constitutional Amendments on the November 20, 1999 Ballot* This report covers the six amendments that appeared on the November 20th ballot. BGR has taken a position on two of the amendments. For details on BGR's positions, and for information on all of the amendments, follow this link.
October 1999	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: The Jefferson Parish School Board's Budget.* The purpose of this issue is to provide an update on fiscal status of the Jefferson Parish Public Schools with a focus on the revised FY1999 and the adopted FY2000 operating budgets. A copy of the News Release issued in conjunction with this report is available.
October 1999	*BGR Recommendations on Constitutional Amendments on the October 23, 1999 Ballot* This report covers the ten amendments that appeared on the October 23rd ballot. BGR analyzed and took positions on eight of the ten amendments. For details on recommendations follow this link.
July 1999	*The Orleans Parish School Board's Y2K Project.* An overview and status report on the school board’s new management information system and the computer networking project to bring the internet and other educational resources to the classroom. 12 pp.
June 1999	*New Orleans International Airport: Governance, Regional Cooperation and Airport Expansion*** An analysis of conditions limiting the physical expansion of New Orleans International Airport (NOIA); approaches to regional cooperation used by airports in similar geopolitical circumstances (with ownership and authority over the airport in one political jurisdiction, the airport in another, and a need to expand in a third); and recommendations for changes by NOIA. Executive Summary, 26 pages. Full report, 132 pages. News release.
March 1999	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: Tax Renewal on March 27 Election Ballot.* An analysis of four dedicated property tax millages on the ballot for renewal in Jefferson Parish. This is a 6 page report. All millages were renewed.
February 1999	BGR Outlook on Jefferson: Jefferson Parish Government Finances. An overview of Jefferson Parish government and the parish’s fiscal outlook, including final general government revenues and expenditures between 1988 and 1997, and an examination of the 1999 Jefferson Parish adopted operating budget. A copy of the News Release available.
February 1999	BGR Outlook on Orleans: The Sewerage and Water Board's Fee Proposals. This report provides background information and arguments "For" and "Against" two fee proposals presented by the Sewerage and Water Board and now before the New Orleans City Council for review.
December 1998	*BGR Outlook on Orleans: Orleans Parish School Board.* This is the first report in BGR’s Outlook series on the Orleans Parish School Board (OPSB). The purpose of this report is to provide an overview of the Board’s fiscal outlook with a focus on the FY1999 (July 1, 1998 through June 30, 1999) operating budget. A copy of the News Release issued in conjunction with this report is available.
November 1998	*BGR’s Review and Analysis of The Real Property Service Charge Proposed by the City of New Orleans* On December 5, voters in the City of New Orleans defeated a proposal to levy a property service charge on real estate. This report reviews the property service charge proposal. A copy of the News Release issued in conjunction with this report is available.
November 1998	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: The Department of Public Works.* In this issue, BGR focuses on one specific area of local government—the public works function. The purpose of this report is to provide a brief overview of how this department is organized, where it receives its funding and how it spends its resources.
October 1998	*BGR Report on the November 3, 1998 General Election: Tax District and Constitutional Amendments.* This report provides a short analysis of the potential creation of three separate neighborhood-based special tax districts and a recommendation on two proposed amendments to the State Constitution.
September 1998	*BGR Report on the Orleans Assessors Tax Proposal on October 3, 1998 Ballot*. This report provides a short analysis of the proposal to levy a one-mill ad valorem tax to fund the offices of the Orleans Parish Assessors.
September 1998	*BGR Report on Constitutional Amendments on the October 3, 1998 Ballot*. This report provides a synopsis and short analysis of all 18 proposed amendments to the Louisiana Constitution on the October 3rd election ballot. A copy of the News Release issued in conjunction with this report is available.
September 1998	BGR School Board Watch "Educator, Reformer, and Manager: Can We Have It All? Searching for a New Superintendent for the New Orleans Public School" This issue of school board watch provides a status report on the search for a new superintendent and offers recommendations for strengthening the selection progress.
August 1998	*BGR Outlook on Orleans: The Criminal Sheriff and District Attorney*. The 16-page report is devoted to an analysis of the function and budget of the Orleans Parish Criminal Sheriff and District Attorney. A copy of the News Release issued in conjunction with the report is also available.
July 1998	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: The Jefferson Parish School Board* This issue of the BGR Outlook on Jefferson examines the Jefferson Parish School Board's finances. The 16-page report analyzes the factors leading to recent operating budget deficits and discusses potential solutions. A copy of the News Release issued in conjunction with the report is also available.
July 1998	*BGR Position: BGR Opposes 4-mill Property Tax Proposal for Jefferson Parish School Board.* This is a 2-page position paper issued by BGR on a proposal by the Jefferson Parish School Board to renew and rededicate a 4-mill property tax for the school system. The proposal is on the July 18, 1998 election ballot in Jefferson Parish.
June 1998	*Contracting Professional Services by Five Parish School Boards: Jefferson, Orleans, Plaquemines, St. Bernard and St. Tammany* BGR examines written and practiced policies and procedures used by five area school boards in the awarding of contracts for professional services. The 30-page report provides an overview of each school board’s practices and what changes BGR recommends to improve the contracting process.
April 1998	*BGR School Board Watch* An analysis of the four Orleans Parish School Board Millage propositions of the May 2, 1998 election ballet.
March 1998	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: The Parish Council, the Sheriff, and the District Attorney* Fourth in a series of reports highlighting the finances of Jefferson Parish government.
March 1998	*BGR Outlook on Orleans: Status Report on 1998 City Operating Budget*. Second in a new series of publications that continues BGR's governmental oversight and monitoring of Orleans Parish governments.
December 1997	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: Sales Tax Rededication and Extension* Third in a series of reports highlighting the finances of Jefferson Parish government. This report examines the proposal put forth by the Jefferson Parish Council to extend and rededicate a one-cent sales tax that is due to expire in the year 2006.
November 1997	*BGR Outlook on Orleans: Status Report on 1995 City Capital Program* First in a new series of publications that continues BGR's governmental oversight and monitoring of Orleans Parish governments. This first report provides a status report on the city capital improvements program approved by voters in 1995.
September 1997	*BGR School Board Watch* "Items BGR is Looking for from the Orleans Parish School Board: Leadership and Management Essentials." Emphasis on the need for strategic planning and filling of various management positions.
September 1997	Rethinking Local Government: Trends and a National Perspective. A report prepared for the Commission on Government Reorganization examining the concept of government reorganization and how government reorganization has been handled in other cities.
July 1997	*BGR Outlook on Jefferson: The Sheriff and the District Attorney* Second in a new series of reports highlighting the finances of Jefferson Parish government. Baseline report on the finances of the Office of the District Attorney and the Office of the Sheriff in Jefferson Parish. Also highlights juvenile crime in the parish.
May 1997	*Consolidating Multiple Police Forces into One: The Feasibility of Consolidating Multiple law Enforcement Agencies in New Orleans* An analysis and recommendations on consolidation of the six major police forces operating in the City/Parish. Recommends measures short of full-scale consolidation of all forces.
April 1997	BGR Outlook on Jefferson: The Parish Council. First in a new series of reports highlighting the finances of Jefferson Parish government. Overview of parish general-purpose government revenues and expenditures over the past ten years and comparison of current-year operating budget. For a copy of the Press Release click here
January 1997	*BGR School Board Watch* "Louisiana Education Reform Efforts Topic for BGR Breakfast Briefing February 4." Highlights of recommendations of LA LEARN Commission and update on Orleans Parish School Board financial matters.

Since January 1, 2005