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.
RELATED REPORTS
BGR Looks Back at Post-Katrina Government Reforms
The reform and modernization of local government is a lasting legacy of Hurricane Katrina. By envisioning positive change and reforming local government, residents, advocates and policymakers created a better future for Greater New Orleans. BGR is proud to have been a leader in these efforts with our independent, nonpartisan research and monitoring. On the 20th […]
BGR Issues Statement on Flood Protection Authority Governance
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The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) issued the following statement today in support of the core framework for governance of the Southeast Louisiana flood protection authorities (click the button above to download a PDF copy): The governor’s advisers have alleged that the New Orleans area’s vital flood protection infrastructure hasn’t been kept in working order […]
BGR Highlights Reasons to Keep Louisiana’s Separate Coastal Agency
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 […]
On the Ballot: West Jefferson Levee District Millage
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 […]
West Bank Levees and St. Tammany Charter Changes
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 […]
BGR Reviews Tax Propositions in Orleans, St. Bernard
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 […]
SB 469 – Does It Eliminate the Public’s Rights?
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 […]
Special Counsel Bill Threatens Levee Boards’ Independence
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 […]
Amended SB 79 Still Threatens Levee Boards’ Independence
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 […]
Opening Floodgates to Gubernatorial Interference
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.
2014 Bill Would Weaken Levee Board Reforms
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.
BGR Analyzes State and Local Ballot Propositions
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 […]
BGR Examines Constitutional Amendments on the Ballot
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 Reports: One Need, One Levee Board
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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.
RELATED MEDIA
Top cop at New Orleans’ flood protection agency granted promotion, even bigger paycheck
New Orleans’ regional flood protection agency has granted its police chief a promotion that comes with a large pay increase — he now has the highest salary at the agency — as Gov. Jeff Landry’s allies carry out a...
Political clashes continue at flood protection agency as two more members depart
NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – As southeast Louisiana moves deeper into hurricane season, political tension is raising concerns about flood protection readiness. The organization responsible for operating crucial floodgates on the east bank of the Mississippi River is seeing a...
June 18 Breakfast Briefing Focuses on Post-Katrina Government Reforms and Future Citizen Engagement
Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, BGR’s June 18 Breakfast Briefing discussed the disaster’s lasting impact on local government reform—and what lessons public officials and citizens can use to inspire future change. This event was free to...
Highlights of BGR’s Work in Support of Better Local Government Post-Katrina
The reform and modernization of local government is a lasting legacy of Hurricane Katrina. By envisioning positive change and reforming local government, residents, advocates and policymakers created a better future for Greater New Orleans. BGR is proud to have...
Gov. Jeff Landry sought to reshape New Orleans’ flood protection agency. Legislators pushed back.
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....
What bills this legislative session affect New Orleans? Here’s what’s on the table.
A new drainage fee, a ban on homeless encampments, and more gubernatorial say over flood protection are among the most contentious proposals affecting New Orleans in the spring legislative session that began Monday. Other bills impacting the city are...
Gov. Jeff Landry’s controversial bid to overhaul New Orleans flood agency heads to state lawmakers
Gov. Jeff Landry’s bid to overhaul the agency that maintains New Orleans’ hurricane protection levees and pumps will be considered by the state Legislature, drawing fresh concerns that post-Katrina reforms will be weakened. A bill put forward by Rep....
The Good Morning Show April 3, 2025: BGR on the governance of the Southeast Louisiana flood protection authorities
BGR discusses its statement on the governance of the flood protection authorities on The Good Morning Show. Listen to the recording (starting at 51:35)
The BGR supports the core framework for governance of the Southeast Louisiana flood protection authorities
The Bureau of Governmental Research issued the following statement 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 hasn’t...
Opinion: Gov. Landry’s levee board power moves give off a ‘Musky’ reek
It has all the makings of history repeating itself — and in the worst way imaginable. You’re hard pressed to find anyone who’s endorsed Gov. Jeff Landry’s recent moves to undo the layers of separation between himself and the...
Read BGR’s Statement on Flood Protection Authority Governance
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...
Katrina recovery leaders warn of flood authority issues after resignations
Watch the video of this new report. Read BGR’s March 20, 2025, letter to Governor Jeff Landry in support of the core framework for governance of the Southeast Louisiana flood protection authorities that “puts levees first.”
New Orleans levee board members quit as Jeff Landry’s adviser pursues controversial changes
Three members of a board overseeing New Orleans area flood protection have resigned in protest over controversial changes being pursued by an adviser to Gov. Jeff Landry, who critics say risks weakening reforms put in place following Hurricane Katrina....
Jeff Landry’s adviser wants to upend key post-Katrina reform at New Orleans flood agencies
A top adviser to Gov. Jeff Landry is leading a push to upend a key post-Katrina reform at the New Orleans area’s levee authorities, drawing sharp criticism from government watchdogs who say he risks seriously harming the region’s vital...
Gov. Jeff Landry’s adviser is reshaping New Orleans levee authority. ‘Look at Elon Musk’
Behind the scenes, an unelected adviser to Gov. Jeff Landry is reshaping the regional levee authority that helps protect the New Orleans area from storm surge flooding. Shane Guidry, the Metairie businessman who made his fortune supplying the oil...
Louisiana Should Keep Separate Agency Dedicated to Saving Coast
Today 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...
East bank levee authority president may have violated political campaigning ban
Clay Cosse, the president of the east bank levee authority, has issued an endorsement statement and contributed money to the campaign of a candidate for St. Bernard Parish president, in an apparent violation of a state law that prohibits...
Breakfast Briefing Explains How Jefferson is Preparing for Future Storms
Today, the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) hosted a Breakfast Briefing in Jefferson Parish about “Preparing Jefferson for Future Storms: What Hurricane Ida Taught Us About Response, Recovery and Resiliency.” This event, which was held at Copeland Tower Living...
Rear Admiral John Nadeau Discusses Coast Guard’s Work in New Orleans and Beyond
Today, Rear Admiral John Nadeau, the new commander of the U.S. Coast Guard’s Eighth District, presented at a BGR Breakfast Briefing entitled “Your Coast Guard Today – Meet Your Neighbor.” His presentation described the many missions of the Coast...
Our levees and pumps aren’t enough to keep New Orleans dry | Editorial
The start of hurricane season always raises our collective anxiety level a bit. South Louisianians have to be on guard between June 1 and Nov. 30 — it’s a fact of life this close to the Gulf of Mexico....
West bank voters approve new levee millage
Voters on the west bank of Jefferson Parish on Saturday overwhelmingly approved a new property tax that will fund critical maintenance work on the federal levees that protect the area from flooding. After rejecting a similar tax proposal in...
Our Views: West Jefferson voters should approve property tax for flood protection
When it comes to taxes, essential services have to be paid for, and one of them in Louisiana more than almost anyplace else in the world is flood protection. But a property tax millage for flood protection in West...
‘Yes’ on West Jefferson levee maintenance tax | Editorial
The Times-Picayune editorial board makes the following recommendation for Saturday’s (April 28) election. JEFFERSON PARISH WEST JEFFERSON LEVEE DISTRICT PROPOSITION To increase property taxes by 4.75 mills for 10 years for maintenance of the flood control system Yes The Southeast...
On the Ballot: West Jefferson Levee District Millage
Today the Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) releases On the Ballot: West Jefferson Levee District Property Tax, April 28, 2018. On April 28, voters on the west bank of Jefferson Parish will decide whether to approve a new property tax for the...