The report found transparency issues with how ARPA spending was reported to the public.
Author Archives: Michael Isaac Stein
Michael Isaac Stein covers New Orleans' cultural economy and local government for The Lens. Before joining the staff, he freelanced for The Lens as well as The Intercept, CityLab, The New Republic, and Pacific Standard. He was recently awarded a fellowship from the Heinrich Boll Foundation, which he used to report on water scarcity, division, and colonialism in Cyprus.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council to stick with longtime utility consultants despite extensive search for alternatives
The council received no new responses to a recent public bid for new consultants, as well as a different public bid to hire a headhunter to find new consultants.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Increased funding and role for independent police monitor on hold after concerns from ethics board
The ethics board argued that the city should first amend the city charter to increase the office’s minimum guaranteed funding before granting it new authority and responsibilities.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
New Orleans voters will likely decide on two more city charter amendments in 2023
The first amendment would make code enforcement an independent city department and the second is aimed at giving the council more time to scrutinize the annual budget.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council significantly expands approval power over city contracts
The new ordinance will require council approval for multiyear contracts and contracts worth more than $1 million.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
New Orleans Inspector General plans wide ranging investigations into local government
Investigation targets include the Sewerage and Water Board, short-term rental enforcement and the NOPD.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City gets much needed deadline extension to spend $1.7B in Katrina FEMA funds
The deadline has been moved from 2023 to 2024, but the city will ultimately need further extensions to 2026 to allow for its current spending plans.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Voters give New Orleans City Council power to approve mayoral appointees
The Public Service Commission district 3 race, which covers New Orleans, heads to a run-off election on Dec. 10.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Mixed reactions after council passes narrowed “Healthy Homes” ordinance
An amendment removed several requirements housing advocates deemed critical.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Independent police monitor asks council for significant budget increase
The head of the office said that it was important to beef up the office to prepare for if and when the NOPD is released from its long-time federal consent decree.