RSD boss Paul Vallas is no regular school employee, and his reputation as a go-getter may cause one to think he’s worked more than expected. But it’s more like a fraction.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council sets Saturday meeting to raise taxes another mill
The City Council voted six to one this morning to hold an extra meeting on Saturday at 10 a.m. in a dash to approve another property tax increase for the city’s 2011 budget, at the behest of Mayor Mitch Landrieu.
Posted inCriminal Justice
NOPD, district attorney want fewer marijuana arrests
Big hitters in the New Orleans criminal-justice world spoke this morning in favor of four ordinances aimed at reducing the number of people arrested for minor crimes.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Land Use
Big Four redevelopments rise or fall on federal tax bill
Even as President Barack Obama agrees to keep Bush-era tax cuts, a consensus is still lacking on an extension of tax credits needed to rebuild New Orleans’ Big Four housing developments, as well as other Gulf Coast complexes.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Don’t plan on recycling bottles from New Year’s Eve bash
The recycling program for most of the city, announced in the recent contract negotiations with Metro Disposal and Richard’s Disposal, will not start with the new year, an attorney for the companies said.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Gusman’s staff won’t be charged in restraining death
District Attorney Leon Cannizzaro has declined to pursue criminal charges against Orleans Parish Sheriff Marlin Gusman’s office after investigating the death of a woman who collapsed after being held in restraints at Gusman’s jail in January 2009.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Dragnet cast for spokesman
New Orleans Police Superintendent Ronal Serpas has decided to replace his top contractor for communications and chief spokesman, Bob Young.
Posted inGovernment & Politics, Opinion
Jindal, Palin show some spine (on the bookstore shelves)
Again and again, Gov. Bobby Jindal solves problems. For instance, when his cuts to the state library budget led to the cancellation of this fall’s Louisiana Bookfest, Jindal personally stepped in to fill the void by writing and promoting his own book, “Leadership and Crisis.”
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Trash contract not started
Three weeks after heralding major concessions in the Metro Disposal trash-contract negotiation, the city has yet to begin drafting the new contract or amendment that will lock in the details of this new agreement.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Some city workers lose access to documents and e-mails
The crash of a key city computer server is stymieing work across New Orleans’ already strained government and making it tougher for residents to get the services and information they need.