By Brad Vogel, The Lens contributing opinion writer | I didn’t expect to, but I actually broke into applause last Thursday at the city’s BlightStat meeting. Toward the end of the meeting, Jeff Hebert, the city’s Director of Blight Policy and Neighborhood Revitalization, casually mentioned that the city would no longer be pushing blighted properties […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Law Enforcement District meets to consider loan, other items of interest to sheriff
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer| A little-scrutinized but extremely powerful government body is holding a rare public meeting Thursday morning. Among other things, the taxpayer-funded New Orleans Law Enforcement District effectively works as Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s piggy bank for construction projects such as his planned new jail. The governing body of […]
Posted inOpinion
Bills to revamp housing agency should nail down ethics issues
By Sara Meadows Tolleson, The Lens contributing opinion writer | Reshaping the way Louisiana handles affordable housing may be a worthwhile endeavor, but tandem housing bills now nearing a vote in the state Legislature are not ready for a floor vote. Thoughtful amendments to these bills are needed now to ensure that the state’s housing […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
State running low on money for property in the way of $1.2 billion teaching hospital
By Ariella Cohen, The Lens staff writer | With more than a hundred properties left to expropriate, the state has spent more than two-thirds of its $75 million budget to acquire private property for the construction of the $1.2 billion medical center planned to replace Charity Hospital. The $55 million spent so far has paid […]
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Bill to jack up traffic camera revenues speeds through Senate committee
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Like a driver that didn’t even touch the brakes before blowing a red light, a bill that would allow New Orleans Traffic Court to raise its costs from $10 to $30 passed through the Senate Finance Committee this afternoon with no discussion and without a word from […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Schools
More names surface to succeed Pastorek as Louisiana's superintendent of education
By Jessica Williams, The Lens staff writer | One measure of Louisiana’s high profile in the national debate over school reform is the active interest being shown by the Obama administration in who will succeed Paul Pastorek as the state’s superintendent of education. But there are more names in circulation than Obama’s preference, newly appointed […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
The Lens Salon: You're invited
Interested in finding out more about a new media effort aimed at creating openness and accountability in New Orleans? Bring your concerns, complaints, creative ideas and investigative news tips to a soiree hosted by the staff of The Lens. We seek your input as we strive to meet the urgent need for information and analysis […]
Posted inEnvironment, Government & Politics, Investigations
Despite health fears, trailers are housing disaster victims
FEMA trailers that sheltered New Orleanians after Katrina after back in service on the resale market, despite health warnings and a government ban on their use as housing.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Landrieu asks City Council to move appeals of camera-generated tickets to Traffic Court
By Matt Davis, The Lens staff writer | Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s office this morning will place an ordinance before the City Council that, if approved, would move contested traffic-camera tickets from Civil Court to Traffic Court, a move that could raise millions of dollars for Traffic Court. Landrieu’s spokesman, Ryan Berni, confirmed the move. “The […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Mockery of scientific research comes back to haunt Bobby Jindal
A recent News Star editorial praised Governor Bobby Jindal’s leadership as the state and the Army Corps of Engineers take historic steps to manage the swollen Mississippi River. Titled “Jindal steps up in time of need,” the opinion piece commends our governor’s data-driven, pro-active approach to the situation. I’ll commend Jindal as well. He’s skilled […]