Property Taxes (2004)
Louisiana Public Square
Details
Collection:LPB
Genre: Panel
Place Covered: Louisiana
Copyright Holder: Louisiana Educational Television Authority
Date Issued: 2004-07-21
Duration: 00:55:26
Subjects: Filmed panel discussions | PROPERTY TAXES | TAX ASSESSORS | HOMESTEAD EXEMPTION
Contributors:
- Courtney, Beth Host
- Zewe, Charles Host
- Godoy, Al Producer
- Brandt, Jim Interviewee
- Taylor, Jeff Interviewee
- Purgerson, Jim Interviewee
- Smith, Pat Interviewee
- Arnold, Tom Interviewee
- Coleman, Rusty Speaker
- Wilson, Woodrow Speaker
- Jarreau, Frank Speaker
- Terrell, Thelma Speaker
- Sanchez, Emma Speaker
- Miller, Robert Speaker
- Curtis, Evan Speaker
- Robertson, Thomas Speaker
- Johnson, Malinda Speaker
- Villa, Tina Speaker
- Phillips, Cecil Speaker
- Chehardy, Lawrence Panelist
- Comeaux, Conrad Panelist
- Edmiston, Bobby Panelist
Description
This episode of the series “Louisiana Public Square” from July 21, 2004, features Charles Zewe leading a discussion between the audience members and panelists on property taxes. A background report on the topic precedes the discussion. It includes interviews with Jim Brandt of the Public Affairs Research Council (PAR), Livingston Parish Assessor Jeff Taylor, Baton Rouge homeowner Jim Purgerson, East Baton Rouge Parish School Board member Pat Smith, and Orleans Parish Assessor (District 5) Tom Arnold. The audience members then discuss: their perception of property taxes; the homestead exemption; the need for a fair system; and their concerns about how the property tax revenues are used. A panel of experts then joins the audience to answer their questions. The panelists are Jefferson Parish Assessor Lawrence Chehardy, Lafayette Parish Assessor Conrad Comeaux, and Bossier Parish Assessor Bobby Edmiston. They discuss: the constitutional amendment on the ballot about the homestead exemption; reassessing properties every four years; the role of politics in assessments; the disproportionate amount of taxes paid by business and industry; and their decisions to post their assessments on the Internet. Hosts: Beth Courtney and Charles Zewe