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 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.
New Orleans is at an inflection point. The city is losing businesses and residents, with many saying they simply cannot afford to live here anymore. They point to a wide array of culprits: not enough good jobs, not enough...
NEW ORLEANS – Before introducing Tim Temple, the Louisiana Commissioner of Insurance, BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray kicked off the Sept. 18 BGR Breakfast Briefing by flagging 2 upcoming BGR Reports: Temple: What is Insurance? Introducing the Insurance Commissioner, Mowbray mentioned the rising...
A watered-down version of a bill that initially sought to allow Gov. Jeff Landry to reshape New Orleans’ flood protection authority is headed to the governor’s desk for his signature, ending a power struggle over control of the agency....
BATON ROUGE, La. (WVUE) – A proposal to increase Louisiana’s homestead exemption for the first time in more than four decades is gaining traction at the State Capitol. The measure, authored by Rep. Matt Willard (D-New Orleans), would allow...
The Bureau of Governmental Research issued the following statement today in support of the core framework for governance of the Southeast Louisiana flood protection authorities: The governor’s advisers have alleged that the New Orleans area’s vital flood protection infrastructure...
NEW ORLEANS — Sen. Heather Cloud, a Republican from central Louisiana is trying to resurrect a bill now on legislative life-support. Her legislation that would gut the state’s public records law has attracted critics on both sides of the...
Tommy talks with Becky Mowbray, President and CEO of BGR. Listen to podcast here. Read BGR’s commentary on public records here.
NEW ORLEANS — In your Breakdown: Senator Heather Cloud says she will dial back some of her efforts to cast a dark shadow over Louisiana’s sunshine laws. On the Senate Floor Tuesday, she said amendments are in the works...
NEW ORLEANS — From the Bureau of Governmental Research: BGR is a private, nonprofit, independent research organization dedicated to informed public policy making and the effective use of public resources for the improvement of government in the New Orleans...
On Wednesday, April 17, BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray joined a host of concerned citizens at the Louisiana State Capitol to testify against SB 482, a bill that would greatly limit public records laws in Louisiana. The full...
After focusing on “the frequent failures” of the city’s Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, Gov. Jeff Landry’s task force released recommendations to improve the city’s water and drainage services. “If there were a citywide confidence/no confidence vote...
A New Orleans lawmaker late Tuesday submitted a bill that would make sweeping changes to how the Sewerage & Water Board is governed, shifting power from Mayor LaToya Cantrell towards state and local officials who would temporarily oversee reforms...
A New Orleans-based lawmaker filed legislation late Tuesday to dismiss the local overseers of the beleaguered Sewerage and Water Board in favor of a temporary board made up of state and local officials, a drastic step recommended by Gov....
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – The man in charge of the day-to-day operations of the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board told the City Council on Tuesday (April 2) that he objects to an oversight board proposed by Gov. Jeff...
NEW ORLEANS — The Bureau of Governmental Research is raising what they call significant concerns with a proposed plan to overhaul the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. Gov. Jeff Landry appointed a task force to create a plan...
Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposal to move the state agency overseeing coastal restoration and hurricane protection under the Department of Energy and Natural Resources seems to be on hold for the moment. With the deadline to propose bills for this...
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Governor Jeff Landry’s special task force examining issues with the Sewerage and Water Board met for the second time Thursday evening to discuss billing and governance, and to hear from the public for the first...
Gov. Jeff Landry’s proposal to consolidate and reorganize the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority under the Louisiana Department of Energy and Natural Resources calls to mind the old adage, “If it ain’t broke, don’t fix it.” Not only is...
NEW ORLEANS — The Bureau of Governmental Research, a nonprofit government watchdog group, is urging Gov. Jeff Landry to keep Louisiana’s separate coastal protection agency. The newly elected governor said he’s considering merging the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority...
A panel of state lawmakers is studying the possible elimination of personal and corporate income taxes in Louisiana. One option it’s probing to offset the loss of state income tax revenue is to replace it with the money that...
Today, Governor John Bel Edwards joined the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) for a Virtual Breakfast Briefing to discuss his key priorities for 2022 and the potential impacts of new federal funding for Louisiana. Click here or on the...
The Bureau of Governmental Research presents a free virtual “breakfast briefing” featuring Gov. John Bel Edwards at 8 a.m. Friday, Dec. 17 on Zoom. Edwards will discuss the state’s 2022 budget priorities and the statewide impact of federal funding. Click...
Today, BGR releases Assessing the Assessor: Progress on Property Assessment Reform in New Orleans. The report evaluates whether and to what extent New Orleans’ property assessment system has improved under the single parish assessor since he replaced the seven-assessor...
The New Orleans City Council is looking for ways to get nonprofits to contribute more to the city’s bottom line — the latest in a long string of attempts to get properties that are exempt from taxation to kick in...
NEW ORLEANS, La. (WVUE) – As large numbers of homeowners are outraged over higher property assessments, members of the New Orleans City Council plan to discuss whether some non-profits are getting too much in the way of tax breaks....
NEW ORLEANS (AP) — The Orleans Parish tax assessor says he’s told convention center officials that a $558 million hotel they’re proposing probably would not be exempt from property taxes — something some center board members say is essential....
Erroll Williams, the Orleans Parish tax assessor, is complicating plans for a hotel that officials of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center want to build with tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer subsidies. Williams told Convention Center officials...
New Orleans Councilwoman Kristin Gisleson Palmer warned this week that she would not support any new fee levied on residents and businesses to raise money for the city’s drainage system unless it’s paid fairly by everyone in the city and nixes exemptions...
As negotiations continue behind the scenes over the terms of the Ernest N. Morial Convention Center’s proposed 1,200-room high-rise Omni Hotel, the city’s property tax assessor says he is skeptical that the $557.5 million project would qualify for the...
In the midst of new concerns about the reliability of the Sewerage & Water Board’s drainage system and longstanding complaints about broken streets and other infrastructure, City Councilwoman LaToya Cantrell is proposing to direct $84 million a year toward...
As far as New Orleans is concerned, the session of the state Legislature starting Monday is likely to be a lot like last year’s. On multiple fronts, Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office is girding for a repeat of past battles....
60% of Louisiana property taxes were not taxed! This hours guest: Amy Glovinsky – President/CEO BGR (Bureau of Governmental Research)
