With a week to go before the City Council must approve the city’s 2011 budget, New Orleans’ chief economist has revised his revenue estimates to project $1.74 million more going to the city next year than previously thought.
Author Archives: Ariella Cohen
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Hurricane recovery loans go to Baton Rouge refinery work
The State Bond Commission voted today to issue ExxonMobil Corporation $12 million more in tax-free, low-interest bonds to finance an upgrade of the petro giant’s Baton Rouge facility.
Posted inSchools
50 years later, schools still effectively segregated
Fifty years after New Orleans desegregated public schools, 90 percent of the city’s public school students are black, and nearly a quarter of public schools have student populations that are 100 percent black, analysis shows.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
9th Ward may not get money for both city swimming pools
A Lower 9th Ward park touted in August as one of Mayor Mitch Landrieu definite 100 recovery projects is being funded at one-third the level initially promised, a top Landrieu appointee said at a City Council budget hearing Wednesday.
Posted inInvestigations, Land Use
Even with plenty of subsidized housing, most still clustered in poorest areas
Despite the demolition of public housing developments, New Orleans has more subsidized housing for its poorest residents now than it had five years ago.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council questions why budget doesn’t include new planners
Amid an otherwise placid budget hearing, City Council members Wednesday challenged Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s decision to withhold money for urban planners at a time when his administration is anticipating major rebuilding. The mayor’s proposed 2011 budget recommends $1.2 million for the City Planning Commission. That budget represents a slight drop from this year’s budget of […]
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Nagin-era records continue to muddy city loan account
Five months after The Lens first reported on nearly $17 million missing from the city’s largest economic-development fund, Mayor Mitch Landrieu still can’t account for the missing taxpayer dollars.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council and Landrieu spar over city’s role in luring business
City Council leaders gave a cool reception Wednesday to Mayor Mitch Landrieu’s plan to finance an economic development office within City Hall as well as the new Nola Business Alliance, a separate nonprofit entity funded with a mix of public and private dollars to generate jobs and investment in New Orleans.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Levee District joins mayor in considering a tax increase
The folks at city hall may not be the only ones inching up your tax bill in 2011.
The Orleans Levee District is also considering raising its own taxing rate, at the same time as the City Council considers a proposed budget from Mayor Mitch Landrieu that calls for raising the rate that determines how much property owners pay in taxes.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council may scavenge money from separate boards
Seated on the elevated dais at City Council chambers today, Councilwoman Stacy Head rubbed her hands together and mouthed “money.”