From Advocate Story:

Our Views: Our recommendations on local propositions for New Orleans area voters

“…

Here are The Advocate’s positions on these issues.

West Jefferson Levee District property tax – Yes.

Algiers Levee District Property Tax Renewal – Yes.

Last month’s heavy rains brought a timely reminder that flood control is vitally important across south Louisiana. The region’s susceptibility to hurricanes, made all too clear by the devastation left after Katrina in 2005, underscores the urgency of maintaining a strong system of levees throughout the New Orleans area. Federal funding helped build dramatically improve levees after that disaster. Now, it’s up to local taxpayers to shoulder the responsibility to keep those upgraded levees maintained. As our troubled history has surely taught us, this might literally be a matter of life and death.

Voters on the west bank of Jefferson will decide whether to approve a new 5.5-mill, 30-year property tax to maintain post-Hurricane Katrina levee improvements. Meanwhile, in Algiers, voters will decide whether to renew a 6.35-mill, 30-year property tax to support the Algiers Levee District.

The defeat of these tax proposals will compromise public safety and could lead to increased flood insurance rates. We urge a yes vote for both taxes….”

Link to Full Story