The furloughs, initiated in response to the coronavirus pandemic, affected thousands of city employees for a little over five months
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
New Orleans Convention Center files suit against public transit system over millions in contested revenue
The suit was filed late last month following an April Convention Center board vote authorizing legal action against the RTA.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City will reopen application process for emergency rental assistance program, official says
The administrator of the program warned that although they would start accepting applications again, the city had already received far more applications than it could fund.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council rescinds zoning exemptions for Hard Rock site; Councilwoman calls for criminal charges
“We have to be serious about stopping all types of violent crime, and that includes crimes committed by wealthy developers,” Councilwoman Kristin Palmer said.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council begins process to place expiring affordable housing tax on Nov. ballot
Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office said that renewing the tax isn’t Cantrell’s “preference,” and that she wanted to propose a new set of property taxes next year instead.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
First grant issued by new ‘culture bearer’ fund is $1.2 million to Super Bowl Host Committee
The president of the The New Orleans Tourism and Cultural Fund said the fund already had an “agreement” with the Host Committee to make the payments, but couldn’t say whether that agreement had been formalized or was legally binding.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council’s first in-person meeting features smiles, demonstrators and a renewable energy mandate
Council members allow Entergy to include nuclear power in the renewable plan, over objections from some environmental advocates. And a group of distressed renters demands action on moving rental assistance funds more quickly.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
SW&B director faces question from City Council over May 12 boil water advisory
The meeting did not produce any firm answers on what could have been done to avoid the drop in water pressure.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City lays out plans for $400M in federal coronavirus aid
Cantrell administration expects the money will be needed to make up for a weak local economy for several years.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Library funding renewal headed to Nov. 13 ballot with support of mayor
Last year, voters rejected a plan from Cantrell that would have cut the library’s budget by nearly 40 percent.