The City Council voted unanimously this morning to approve four ordinances aimed at reducing the number of people arrested for minor crimes.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Promises made for extending GO Zone tax credit deadline
A top Republican in the U.S. Senate is vowing to enhance a tax bill passed Wednesday to ensure that New Orleans housing developers don’t lose Gulf Opportunity Zone low-income housing tax credits.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Reason’s greetings: BESE sees the light in textbook debate
Educators agree that high school students deserve to learn “the very best science.” Hallelujah, right? Not quite.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Auditor critical of demo plan
The state agency tasked with the maintenance of Road Home properties will be unable to meet its own deadline to end the program next year, according to a report by the Legislative Auditor.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Mayor backs jail expansion based on incomplete study
A working group established by Mayor Mitch Landrieu did not meet its obligation to make a recommendation about the size of the city’s jail by Nov. 22.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Mayor broke council majority to get extra tax increase
A City Council majority that favored a smaller tax increase than sought by Mayor Mitch Landrieu fell apart in the past week, making Saturday morning’s property tax increase possible.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Landrieu supports bigger jail, says size is “moving target”
Mayor Mitch Landrieu said today the total number of beds in a new jail is still up for debate, despite a firm recommendation for a specific size from a working group run by his chief aide.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Landrieu privately negotiated for new property tax increase
If the City Council ratifies a tax increase Saturday that members privately negotiated with Mayor Mitch Landrieu, it will take one of the final actions needed to produce a balanced 2011 budget.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
BESE member to seek revote on RSD returning schools
Hours after the Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education approved Superintendent Paul Pastorek’s to let Recovery School District campuses consider a return to local control, one board member said that she plans to introduce a competing proposal at BESE’s next meeting.
Posted inCriminal Justice, Government & Politics
Despite recommendation by mayor’s group, Gusman wants to double jail size to 3,200
Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman has changed his position on work done by Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s Criminal Justice Working Group, saying he needs 1,800 more beds than the 1,438-bed facility recommended by the group.