The Lens (https://thelensnola.org/author/michaelstein/)
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.
The move comes three months before Orleans Parish residents will vote on whether to change the city’s charter to add a council member to the utility’s governing board.
The Residents for Ethical and Sustainable Tourism ordinance has been presented to the council. STR critic says she is optimistic that a council member will introduce it for consideration.
The budget committee advanced a proposal to fund eight new cameras through the Gentilly Development District. The cameras would be linked to the city's surveillance hub.
HomeAway and the Alliance for Neighborhood Prosperity are advocating policy changes that they call a compromise. But critics say they would lead to further expansion of short-term rentals.
Documents released to the city council cast doubt on Entergy’s contention that it didn’t know supporters would be paid to show up at public meetings to promote the power plant. An Entergy employee was told of allegations three times, as early as October. Documents also contradict the PR firm’s contention that it didn’t know, either.
A public-relations firm billed Entergy New Orleans about $55,000 to bring supporters of a new power plant to two public meetings. Some of those people were actors. Documents turned over to the city council raise questions about Entergy's claim that it didn't know supporters would be paid.
