Category
Government & Politics
Councilwoman Kristin Palmer has ‘serious skepticism’ that the city will be able to enforce new STR rules under Cantrell’s draft budget
Council members also questioned whether the Cantrell administration is properly tracking and allocating millions in funds dedicated to short-term rental enforcement.
Council passes $1 million fine and lower allowed profit for Entergy, over objections from Mayor Cantrell and the company
Entergy threatened to bring litigation against the city or try to change the profit rate again next year, which would cost customers an additional $7 million in regulatory costs, the company claimed.
Bollinger attempts to transfer $8 million industrial tax exemption to New Orleans, bypassing the local approval process
The exemption the company wants to transfer predates new rules calling for local input.
Algiers house severely damaged in fire is owned by state senator, has thousands in outstanding city fines
Sen. Troy Carter told The Lens that the fines were levied in error, and there were never any true violations on the house.
Council avoiding further debate on Entergy’s allowed profits, despite objections from Entergy and Mayor Cantrell
Last week, Mayor Cantrell sided with Entergy over the City Council, saying the company should be allowed to collect a greater profit from customers.
Coalition that includes Mayor Cantrell splits with her over proposed Entergy profits
Coalition that includes the city among its members still supports lower rate of profit for utility, despite the mayor's recent support for Entergy.
Sheriff’s Office budget creates $13 million question mark for the 2020 budget
Also at Thursday’s budget hearing, the Orleans Public Defender’s Office advocated for greater funding, saying their current budget isn’t enough to end a year-long hiring freeze.
Records show how Cantrell administration officials walked back Airbnb enforcement plans over the past year
Earlier this year, officials asked for as many as 16 new STR enforcement employees. That later went down to three. Emails show that top-ranking officials were nervous about how new enforcement rules would affect city tax revenue.
How Louisiana’s TOPS program lets state’s richest students go to school, while poor students are often left out
The state’s TOPS scholarship program and state budget formulas handicap less-advantaged students and colleges, and it’s a national trend.
