Justice System

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...

Right-Sizing the Courts: A Defeat for Transparency

Overview This release discusses the Louisiana Supreme Court’s refusal to hear BGR’s lawsuit seeking public access to the records and meetings of a committee charged with re-assessing the number of judges needed at each of the state’s courts. The...

Contracting Reform, Sheriff’s Tax, Other Propositions

Overview BGR examines two proposed amendments to the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans, one Orleans Parish property tax proposition and two constitutional amendments on the ballot for November 4, 2014. One City charter amendment would...

Court Committee Lining Up to Punt Away Public Dollars

Overview In this release, BGR points out that the Supreme Court committee charged with re-assessing the number of judgeships at each of the state’s courts appears to be positioning itself to punt on the matter – at the public’s...

Open, Fact-Based Process Needed to Address Judgeships

Overview In this release, BGR calls on the Supreme Court committee that is reviewing court efficiency to conduct its work in an open and transparent manner. It also urges the committee to act in a timely fashion. The release...

Are Public Dollars Being Wasted on Excess Judgeships?

Overview BGR presents data on the estimated need for judgeships in Orleans Parish and recommends steps for right-sizing the courts in Benchmarking the Bench: Are Public Dollars Being Wasted on Excess Judgeships in Orleans Parish? Courts discussed in the report...

BGR Examines Four Jefferson Parish Ballot Propositions

Overview On the Ballot: Jefferson Parish, April 30, 2011 examines four proposed tax renewals. One is a sales tax renewal for the Jefferson Parish Public School System. The other three are property tax renewals that support Jefferson Parish drainage,...

Addressing Core Infrastructure Needs in New Orleans

Overview In The Price of Civilization: Addressing Infrastructure Needs in New Orleans, BGR provides information on New Orleans’ core infrastructure needs – including streets, the systems of the Sewerage & Water Board of New Orleans, schools and the Orleans...

BGR Reviews Propositions for Criminal Justice, OIG

Overview In On the Ballot: New Orleans, October 2008, BGR provides analysis and takes positions on two ballot propositions: one to issue bonds through the Sheriff’s Law Enforcement District for Orleans Parish criminal justice facilities and another to protect...

BGR Reviews Assessor Consolidation, Other Amendments

Overview This On the Ballot report analyzes proposed constitutional amendments of particular significance to the New Orleans region. This issue covers amendments before voters on November 7, 2006. This report focuses on five amendments that address issues relevant to...