In The News › St. Tammany Parish

“When it’s assessed at use value, it’s assessed at a lower level than it would be for fair market value,” said Janet Howard, president and chief executive officer of the non-profit Bureau of Governmental Research watchdog group.

As the commercial real estate market continues its downward plunge, its recovery may not be the robust, v-shaped surge in activity that many economists had been hoping for.

Discussing strategies that St. Tammany Parish can use to harness and maximize growth, University of New Orleans economic development expert Ivan Miestchovich Jr. had admittedly little to offer in the way of advice to leaders of the steadily growing parish Friday.

Despite a few recession-induced hiccups, St. Tammany Parish is poised for horizontal growth along Interstates 10 and 12.

The nonprofit research organization’s report, “The House that Uncle Sam Built: The Continued Expansion of Subsidized Housing in New Orleans,” found that the number of subsidized units in New Orleans jumped from 19,865 in 2005 to 23,999 in 2009, a 21 percent increase.

Group warns trend puts stress on city

St. Tammany President Kevin Davis told local business leaders Tuesday that he opposes term limits for members of the Parish Council and is against reducing the size of the parish governing body.

Reducing the size of the St. Tammany Parish Council and putting term limits on the parish governing body are the most-discussed elements of a package of proposed Home Rule Charter changes before the council.