One bill that failed would have reduced marijuana possession to a misdemeanor.
Author Archives: Tyler Bridges
Tyler Bridges covers Louisiana politics and public policy for The Lens. He returned to New Orleans in 2012 after spending the previous year as a Nieman Fellow at Harvard, where he studied digital journalism. Prior to that, he spent 13 years as a reporter for the Miami Herald, where he was twice a member of Pulitzer Prize-winning teams while covering state government, the city of Miami and national politics. He also was a foreign correspondent based in South America. Before the Herald, he covered politics for seven years at The Times-Picayune. He is the author of The Rise of David Duke (1994) and Bad Bet on the Bayou: The Rise of Gambling in Louisiana and the Fall of Governor Edwin Edwards (2001). He can be reached at (504) 810-6222.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Plan to create special taxing district in New Orleans dies on last day in Legislature
The final plan would have authorized special tax districts around the city, not just for the World Trade Center.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Landrieu, legislative allies run 11th-hour effort for new taxing district along river
If approved, city wouldn’t share with other government agencies the taxes from development on some parcels.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Legislature approves property tax hike for New Orleans police & fire; now heads to voters
Use our property tax calculator to see how much it would cost you.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
How did Louisiana manage NOT to spend $70 million raised for infrastructure work?
Louisiana risks federal penalties for having issued tax free bonds and then failing to put the money to use.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Jindal’s national ambitions begin to tell on his effectiveness, lawmakers contend
A distant figure to most legislators in recent years, of late Jindal has become even more remote as he steps up out-of-state travels for a presumed presidential campaign. The question is whether Jindal’s presidential yearnings will undercut the home-state record he needs to run on.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Lawmakers shift construction funding to avoid running afoul of IRS rules on bonds
The state has sold bonds for construction projects, but in some cases hasn’t built them. That could run afoul of IRS rules meant to ensure that governments spend bond money rather than invest it. Lawmakers have shifted about $70 million in construction funding to deal with the problem.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Live blog: Lawmakers to vote on two Landrieu-backed taxes Wednesday
Committee to deal with cigarette tax in morning; House to debate hotel tax in afternoon.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Use our calculator to see how much property tax increase would cost you
Bill could double portion of property taxes for police and fire protection.
Posted inLand Use
City ends World Trade Center talks as mayor seeks special riverfront tax district
The city says it should receive a fair price; a source with the developer says it offered more than the appraisal.