The New Orleans City Council Jan. 8 is expected to override out-going Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s veto of an ordinance barring her from signing new contracts or otherwise spending city funds through the end of her tenure Jan. 12.
As part of its efforts to address massive budget shortfalls this year and projected ones in 2026, the City Council Dec. 18 passed the ordinance, which bars Cantrell from spending funds from the Sewerage & Water Board, American Rescue Plan Act funding, proceeds from the Wisner trust or any other “new” revenue sources between the date of passage and the 12th. Part of the reason the council passed the ordinance was Cantrell’s use of one-time money like the ARPA funds to pay for long-term projects. Additionally, the council has identified significant sums of federal funds being spent for questionable purposes.
In a Dec. 29 letter to the council announcing her veto, Cantrell argued the prohibition is “overbroad” and could effect spending “in response to an emergency.” Cantrell’s letter and the ordinance can be read below.…