Louisiana Legislature
BGR Weighs in as New Orleans Rethinks S&WB Governance
This year, the Louisiana Legislature approved major changes prompting New Orleans leaders to evaluate how the Sewerage & Water Board (S&WB) should be governed. The newly formed Public Utility Modernization Process Subgroup (PUMPS) is currently advising the mayor, City...
BGR on HB1243: Moving Forward and Planning Carefully Are Not in Conflict
In a Capitol Commentary submitted to the Senate Local and Municipal Affairs Committee on May 6, BGR urged policymakers to ensure that House Bill 1243, which would give the New Orleans City Council sweeping authority over the Sewerage and...
BGR Opposes Cuts to Orleans Parish Judgeships Without a Supreme Court Study
BGR examines pending legislation to cut nine judgeships in Orleans Parish and warns that the proposed reductions are outpacing the evidence. The Legislature should wait for a complete Supreme Court analysis before making cuts that could take years to...
City Council Members Should Regulate, Not Govern, the S&WB
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...
Aligning Louisiana’s Nonprofit Exemption with National Norms
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...
Convention Center Bill Highlights Need to Rethink Local Taxes
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...
BGR to Legislature: Protect Coastal Funding
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.
Fixing Louisiana’s Costly and Unusual Nonprofit Exemptions
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.
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...
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...