Special Counsel Bill Threatens Levee Boards’ Independence

On February 20, the Bureau of Governmental Research sent a letter to Governor Jeff Landry urging him to keep Louisiana’s separate coastal protection agency. BGR’s letter responds to the governor’s request for public comment on a proposal to consolidate more than a dozen state entities into the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources. These […]

OVERVIEW BGR examines the April 28, 2018, proposition before voters on the west bank of Jefferson Parish to approve a new property tax for the West Jefferson Levee District. This is the Levee District’s second attempt at a new tax to cover the increased costs of raising and armoring levees and maintaining pump stations. The […]

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 BGR analyzes two property tax propositions meant to sustain west bank flood protection systems and three proposed St. Tammany charter amendments before voters on November 21, 2015. The tax propositions include a new tax for the West Jefferson Levee District and a tax renewal for the Algiers Levee District in New Orleans. Both levee […]

Overview In Keep Coastal Money Focused on the Coast: Our Future Depends on It, BGR opposes a proposal to divert coastal restoration funding to the Louisiana Highway 1 Bridge project.

Overview BGR analyzes proposed property taxes for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Law Enforcement District, the New Orleans Public Library system and the Lake Borgne Basin Levee District in St. Bernard Parish. Voters in New Orleans and St. Bernard Parish will decide the propositions on May 2, 2015. The Lake Borgne Basin Levee District is governed […]

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.

Overview In On the Ballot: November 6, 2012, BGR examines three proposed constitutional amendments, two propositions pertaining to multiple parishes in the New Orleans area, a proposed change to the City of New Orleans charter and two local tax propositions. The three constitutional amendments would strengthen gun rights, provide an additional homestead exemption to spouses […]

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

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 On September 30, Louisiana voters were asked to approve 13 constitutional amendments. This report focuses on those that are amendments relevant to Greater New Orleans in four arenas: coastal restoration and flood protection, expropriation, the homestead exemption, and unfunded state mandates. In addition, BGR provides an expanded discussion of the proposed amendment on expropriation, […]

BGR comments on levee board consolidation post-Katrina, urging a regional approach to flood protection. It also called for the disposition of non-flood protection assets. This report is part of a series of web-based reports BGR began publishing following the 2005 Hurricane Katrina disaster.

Overview Among the propositions on the ballot for October 4, 2003, are three constitutional amendments relating to coastal restoration, and another providing for the possible state takeover of failing public schools, many of which are in New Orleans. BGR analyzes these four amendments, along with two local propositions. The Jefferson Parish ballot proposition would increase […]