A recent survey by Unity of Greater New Orleans found the number of homeless people was more than four times its previous estimate a few months ago.
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 inCriminal Justice
City allowed confederate monument supporters to appraise value of vandalized McDonogh statue, potentially upping charges for accused demonstrator
The City of New Orleans allowed the Monumental Task Committee, a group that has defended confederate monuments for years, to arrange for a private appraisal of the John McDonogh statue that was torn down and thrown in the Mississippi river this summer, according to emails obtained by The Lens. According to the Orleans Parish District […]
Posted inCoronavirus
City Council advances proposal to cut library tax funding by 40 percent, claiming that the cut will come ‘without detriment to the library system’
The proposal would go before voters in the Dec. 5 election.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Library to see 40 percent budget cut under Cantrell property tax proposal
Mayor wants to rededicate library taxes to infrastructure, maintenance.
Posted inCoronavirus
A Metairie wedding venue has stayed open despite complaints about flouting coronavirus restrictions. Its paid consultant — Jefferson Parish Councilwoman Jennifer Van Vrancken — spoke to state officials on its behalf.
Public policy professor says the councilwoman doesn’t appear to have violated any laws. But he says it doesn’t look good.
Posted inCoronavirus
Landlord Joshua Bruno once again issues three-day eviction notices in apparent violation of CARES Act
Bruno sent out similar notices in April, even though the city had an active moratorium on evictions at the time.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council approves short-term rental tax, with 25 percent cut going to tourism marketing agency
Members of the public were largely supportive of taxing STRs, less so about sending more money to New Orleans and Company.
Posted inCoronavirus
Library employees worried that city’s response to infected worker could increase risk of spread
After the city shut down three locations for deep cleans, their employees were reassigned to unaffected branches.
Posted inCoronavirus
Protesters block access to courts, force City Hall to lock its doors in anti-eviction demonstration
Protesters said that the city and state either need to provide adequate rental assistance or shut down eviction court.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
‘A major paradigm shift’: New Orleans hires former short-term rental executive to lead land use regulation
Peter Bowen will run a brand new office, called the Office of Business and External Services, that will try to blend land use regulation with business development