Fixing Louisiana’s Costly and Unusual Nonprofit Exemptions

OVERVIEW Assessing the Assessor: Progress on Property Assessment Reform in New Orleans evaluates whether and to what extent New Orleans’ property assessment system has improved under the single parish assessor since he replaced the seven-assessor system in 2011.

OVERVIEW BGR’s release addresses a bill that would, among other things, allow a member of the New Orleans City Council to sit on the Sewerage & Water Board. BGR opposes the change in board composition for the S&WB and urges instead that policymakers focus on improving City Council oversight and regulation of the S&WB within […]

Overview In an open letter to the Louisiana Legislature, BGR reiterates the problems with the state’s unusual nonprofit property tax exemptions. The letter explains the deficiencies in the current provisions, demonstrates their unusual status in the context of other states’ requirements and presents a template for a constitutional amendment.

Overview In Convention Center Bill Highlights Need to Rethink Local Taxation, BGR addresses a bill that would grant taxing authority to the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s economic development district. The release calls for a comprehensive re-evaluation of Orleans Parish taxes, with an eye toward aligning tax revenues with the city’s most pressing needs.

Overview In Safeguard Coastal Funds, Safeguard Louisiana’s Future, BGR comments on bills filed in the 2016 legislative session that could reduce or loosen constitutional protections on coastal restoration funding.

Overview In It’s Time for Common Sense on Nonprofit Exemptions, BGR calls on the Louisiana Legislature to address overly broad language in the state constitution for nonprofit property tax exemptions that is costly to both local governments and taxpayers.

Overview In this open letter to the Louisiana State Legislature in 2014, BGR expresses concern that SB 469 might permanently deprive the residents of coastal Louisiana of significant claims against the oil and gas industry and others. It provides a list of questions in need of answers before the House of Representatives votes on the […]

Overview In this release, BGR addresses a bill in the 2014 legislative session that would require the regional flood protection authorities to get the governor’s approval before hiring special counsel. The change would expose the flood protection authorities to political pressure and intervention from the governor. This has long-term implications for flood protection and coastal […]

Overview In this release, BGR addresses a bill in the 2014 legislative session that would allow the governor to unilaterally remove members of regional flood protection authorities for vague reasons. The change would expose the flood protection authorities to political pressure and intervention from the governor. This has long-term implications for flood protection and coastal […]

Overview In this release, BGR addresses a bill in the 2014 legislative session that would move the regional flood protection authorities into the executive branch. The change would expose the flood protection authorities to political pressure and intervention from the governor. This has implications for flood protection and coastal restoration.

Overview In this release, BGR raises concerns about a bill pending in the state Senate in 2014 that would weaken the critical reforms of local levee boards put in place in response to the 2005 levee failures, including the regional flood protection authorities. This has implications for flood protection and coastal restoration.

Overview In an open letter to the Louisiana Legislature, BGR sets forth its positions on evolving legislation to reform the governance of the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans.

Overview In this release, BGR examines a 2013 legislative proposal to authorize a hotel assessment in New Orleans. For hotel guests, the assessment would be the functional equivalent of a new hotel tax.

Overview In this release, BGR discusses possible amendments to the evolving governance reforms for the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans and recommends improvements.

Overview In Sound the Alarm, BGR examines the New Orleans Fire Fighters’ Pension and Relief Fund – which has become a major financial burden for the public – and relevant bills under consideration by the Legislature in 2013.

Overview In this release, BGR discusses possible amendments to pending legislation to reform the governance of the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, and makes recommendations to protect the nominating process.

This edition of Now looks at the recent move in the Louisiana State Legislature to defund the state Office of Inspector General.

Overview This edition of Now addresses problems associated with the nonprofit property tax exemption, and what can be done to solve them.

Overview In The Nonprofit Margin: Addressing the Costs of the Nonprofit Exemption in New Orleans, BGR examines the impact of the nonprofit property tax exemption on government finances and tax rates in New Orleans. The report explores various approaches for mitigating that impact.

Overview The Bureau of Governmental Research made presentations before the New Orleans Tax Fairness Commission on February 3, 2011 and February 23, 2011. The first presentation, Taxation in New Orleans, examines the City’s tax picture, with particular emphasis on property taxes. It provides an overview of the tax structure and discusses issues related to exemptions […]

Overview BGR analyzes two Orleans Parish propositions and two State constitutional amendments on the ballot for October 2, 2010. The two Orleans Parish propositions would amend the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans to reconfigure the governance of City recreation services and facilities, and adjust the City Council membership on the Sewerage […]

Overview In this letter to the members of the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee of the State Legislature, BGR opposes any dilution of the state’s open meetings laws. The letter comes in response to a push to close certain meetings of public bodies. May 18, 2010 Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee P.O. Box 94183 Baton […]

Overview As the campaign for the city’s soon-to-be consolidated assessor’s office begins, BGR releases In All Fairness: Building a Model Assessment System in New Orleans. The report explains what the new citywide assessor must do to create a fair, efficient and transparent property tax assessment system in Orleans Parish.

Overview 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 […]

Overview This report examines property tax exemptions and assessment administration in Orleans Parish. It provides a breakdown of government, nonprofit, homestead and other exemptions. It further reviews the administration of property tax assessments by New Orleans’ seven assessors. To view sources consulted, click here.

Overview Property Taxes in New Orleans: Who Pays? Who Doesn’t? And Why? discusses the value and assessment of real estate exempt from property taxation in New Orleans. The report covers government, homestead, nonprofit and other exemptions.