The city of New Orleans needs approval from the State Legislature and the state's voters before it can implement tax relief measures meant to give more first-time homebuyers access to the housing market.

"In a boost to efforts to create more affordable housing in New Orleans, a Louisiana Senate committee on Monday cleared a ballot issue that could bring some tax relief to the city’s homeowners," reports Jessica Williams.
If approved by the Louisiana State Legislature, voters would also get a chance to approve or deny the tax relief measure.
"The proposal, backed by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, would let New Orleans offer tax freezes, exemptions or other relief on local property taxes to longtime and first-time homeowners," according to Williams.
Williams provides context about the New Orleans housing market—where wages have not kept up with housing costs and the city is adding very few new affordable units.
FULL STORY: In effort to create more affordable housing, New Orleans property tax relief bill clears Senate committee

Maui's Vacation Rental Debate Turns Ugly
Verbal attacks, misinformation campaigns and fistfights plague a high-stakes debate to convert thousands of vacation rentals into long-term housing.

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

San Francisco Suspends Traffic Calming Amidst Record Deaths
Citing “a challenging fiscal landscape,” the city will cease the program on the heels of 42 traffic deaths, including 24 pedestrians.

Half of Post-Fire Altadena Home Sales Were to Corporations
Large investors are quietly buying up dozens of properties in Altadena, California, where a devastating wildfire destroyed more than 6,000 homes in January.

Opinion: What San Francisco’s Proposed ‘Family Zoning’ Could Really Mean
Mayor Lurie is using ‘family zoning’ to encourage denser development and upzoning — but could the concept actually foster community and more human-scale public spaces?

Jacksonville Launches First Autonomous Transit Shuttle in US
A fleet of 14 fully autonomous vehicles will serve a 3.5-mile downtown Jacksonville route with 12 stops.
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