Bureau of Governmental Research

Bureau of Governmental Research (BGR) is a private, non-profit, non-partisan, independent research organization dedicated to gathering and disseminating information on government and other public issues that aids in informed public policy making and the effective use of public resources for the improvement of government in the New Orleans metropolitan area.

BGR was born under the name Civic Affairs League in January 1932. By the following year, the organization had grown to 300 members. After hiring its first executive director, the organization officially changed its name to the Bureau of Governmental Research and got to work on city finances, budgeting, and tax collections.

The organization stays fine-tuned to current events in the New Orleans region in order to remain responsive to the information needs of the public.  BGR’s research areas include:  government structure, management and operations; budgets and financing; metropolitan cooperation and regionalism; ethics; public procurement of goods and services; civil service; constitutional amendments and state legislation affecting the metro area; and property tax assessment and exemption practices.

The organization’s research professionals analyze government policies, finance, management, and administration, and present the facts to the public. Shedding light on complex issues and facilitating productive debate, BGR encourages excellence in the various governments operating in the Greater New Orleans Metropolitan Area, by arming the public with the information needed to make decisions about the future and well-being of the region.

BGR’s independence from political and other allegiances enables it to conduct fair and objective research—no “spin,” no political positioning, no avoiding the difficult issues. BGR reports represent the point of view of the citizen in public affairs—not that of special interest groups, public officials or political parties. When BGR publishes one of its reports, it is reporting to the public letting the public know what government does, why it does it, what it costs, and how it is paid for. With this information, voters can make the political process work for the greater good.