NEW ORLEANS – The Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) won two awards from the Governmental Research Association (GRA) at its national conference July 16 – 18 in Salt Lake City, Utah.
BGR received the Outstanding Policy Achievement award for the 2013 report “Sound the Alarm: New Orleans Firefighter Pension Woes and the Legislative Session,” which ultimately led to a 2016 court ruling correcting a misapplied pension benefit calculation formula for City firefighters. Projected savings are expected to exceed $1.2 million per year over the course of the next few decades.
BGR also earned the award for Most Distinguished Research for its 2017 report “Beneath the Surface: A Primer on Stormwater Fees in New Orleans,” which explores a funding mechanism that is expanding in usage nationwide as an alternative to ad valorem property taxes. The research also includes the first comprehensive snapshot of the New Orleans’ projected drainage system costs.
The GRA is the national organization for governmental research professionals, and has presented BGR with more than 40 awards throughout its history. These awards have recognized BGR’s distinguished research, effective citizen education, distinguished service, research presentation and policy achievements. This is the 11th year in a row that the GRA has recognized BGR’s work, and the fifth year in a row that BGR has received the Outstanding Policy Achievement award.
“We are proud of these awards and, more importantly, for the contributions they represent,” stated BGR President and CEO Amy Glovinsky. “We endeavor daily to improve the effectiveness of local government. We appreciate the recognition and remain thankful for the role we are able to play in the local policy landscape.”
“On behalf of the BGR Board of Directors, I congratulate the BGR research team for its remarkable GRA track record,” remarked BGR Chairman Hardy B. Fowler. “Our success at the national level is emblematic of our groundwork, where BGR persists – sometimes for decades – to achieve results for the benefit of all citizens in the form of more efficient and accountable municipal government.”
BGR is a private, nonprofit, independent research organization. Since its founding in 1932, it has been dedicated to informed public policy-making and the effective use of public resources in the Greater New Orleans area, reps said.
The reports and releases are available on BGR’s website here
