The Louisiana House on Thursday passed a bill to give the New Orleans City Council broad authority over the Sewerage & Water Board, which could lead to a dramatic shift in who oversees the city’s drainage, sewerage and drinking water systems.
House Bill 1243 – formerly House Bill 573 – sponsored by state Rep. Stephanie Hilferty, R-New Orleans, would allow the council to pass ordinances giving itself oversight over S&WB budgets, staffing, funding and the composition of its governing board.
“For too long, the people of New Orleans have dealt with problems they should never have to accept from a public utility – billing chaos, poor communication, delayed projects and lack of accountability,” Hilferty said on the house floor before the vote…