Free Republic

Logic might dictate that the politicians who spend money generated by New Orleans property taxes would be among those pushing the city's seven assessors to be more aggressive in keeping appraisals in stride with rising property values. But rarely is a peep about lax valuation practices heard from members of the School Board or City Council. Although there's no evidence that politicians have sought special treatment, a review commissioned by The Times-Picayune suggests they're getting it anyway. While the average New Orleanian's home was worth 70 percent more than the appraisal reflected on the 2003 tax rolls, the average politician's...