Civil rights activists say they’re concerned over lack of transparency and a potential return to ‘predictive policing’ methods.
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
Bywater affordable housing development takes a big step forward
A last-minute compromise saves the Bywater affordable housing project and gives the City Council more control.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Short term rental overhaul takes major step forward, but still plenty of work left
Final vote on proposals should come within 90 days. The City Council has yet to address caps on commercial licenses, affordability measures or improved enforcement.
Posted inCriminal Justice
Report sheds light on how often threat of habitual offender sentence may factor into guilty pleas
Multiple bills are way down in New Orleans. But they still offer prosecutors leverage as a threat. Court Watch volunteers saw prosecutors reference the habitual offender law in 16 percent of plea-deal cases in 2017, 13 percent in 2018.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Over opposition from mayor and advocates, City Council passes homeless encampment sweep ordinance
Unity of Greater New Orleans came out against the ordinance in a letter to the city. An administration official suggested that Cantrell could veto the ordinance.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
City Council advisers recommend up to $2 million fine against Entergy New Orleans over frequent outages
The report shows about 2,600 outages in the city from mid-2016 to mid-2017.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Report: State preemption laws disproportionately hurt women, people of color
One of the authors says she is supporting House Bill 422, which would allow Louisiana municipalities to set their own minimum wage and required work leave days.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Cantrell administration predicting increase in short-term rental sales as part of infrastructure deal
STR sales continue to increase in spite of yearlong freeze on whole-home rentals.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
Council committee backs RTA decision to stop tourism industry revenue sharing
Council resolution calls for return of $32 million the convention center has collected from the transit agency.
Posted inGovernment & Politics
No plan yet for $5 million Entergy fine
In a vote on Thursday, the council moved the money into its utilities regulation office. It’s not yet clear where it will go from there. But council members promise a public process.