By voting in support of the dismissal of municipal and traffic warrants, fines and fees, the New Orleans City Council created an opening for more than forty-thousand New Orleanians to escape a vicious cycle of poverty and incarceration. By coming together to imagine a more just criminal legal system, our city is positioned to jump from being the target of civil rights lawsuits to being a leader in reform.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council advances measure reducing electric bills for many Entergy customers, but relief may be short-lived
A proposed $1 million against the company also moves on to the full council.
Posted inSchools
On track for an ‘F’ rating, Coghill Charter unlikely to be renewed
The Gentilly Woods elementary school’s principal hinted that she’d discussed charter surrender with the superintendent.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
At meeting this week, more details emerge on new convention center hotel deal
The overall price tag for the 1200-room hotel is up nearly $30 million.
Posted inOpinion
Affordable Housing Crisis: Next Step? We never took the first step.
Because the people of Louisiana did not support Proposition #4, to give New Orleans the chance to create tax relief programs to address the affordable housing crisis, we must ask the Mayor and City Council to #PutHousingFirst and roll back our millage rates.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council to consider $1 million fine on Entergy for frequent power outages
Outages in New Orleans became more frequent in the years following Entergy’s disinvestment in maintenance and system upgrades.
Posted inSchools
NOLA Public Schools kicks off Juvenile Justice Week
Council of Chief State School Officers’ National Teacher of the Year Rodney Robinson gave district staff an impassioned speech Monday morning.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Safety and Permits employee appeals suspension in connection with a federal corruption investigation
Richella Maxwell’s lawyer argued that her suspension letter only mentions the investigation into the Department of Safety and Permits, not any specific misconduct by Maxwell.
Posted inBehind The Lens
Behind The Lens episode 53: ‘The ramifications for our business are severe… I’m worried about long term’
With a 2020 budget now in the hands of City Council, the big debate remains what to do about property taxes. Lawyers file a personal injury suit related to the Hard Rock Hotel collapse, as local businesses are feeling an impact while they try to maintain business as usual in the city restricted disaster zone.
Posted inSchools
Orleans school board approves facility plan
Plan includes selling or trading off seven vacant buildings the district doesn’t need.