July 6, 2023 | From City of New Orleans
MAYOR CANTRELL COMMENDS ORLEANS DELEGATION ON SUCCESSFUL 2023 STATE LEGISLATIVE SESSION
NEW ORLEANS — Mayor LaToya Cantrell today issued the following statement commending the City’s delegation to the Louisiana Legislature on a successful 2023 Legislative Session:
“Thanks to the collaborative efforts of my administration and the Orleans delegation to the Louisiana Legislature, all five City-sponsored bills passed with minimal opposition,” said Mayor LaToya Cantrell. “This new legislation includes blight remediation laws that will aid our continuous efforts to beautify our city, improve the quality of life of all residents and boost our local economy by holding irresponsible property owners more accountable. There is also a proposed constitutional amendment that, if approved by voters in the fall, would allow local governments to offer our first responders a much-deserved property tax break, improving our retention and recruitment incentives. Despite the discriminatory policies and actions taken by some members of the Louisiana Legislature, these accomplishments stand as a testament of the progress and impact we can make when we all work together towards creating a more positive, inclusive, equitable and prosperous environment for all.”
Legislation
Senator Royce Duplessis, as well as Representatives Matthew Willard, Mandie Landry and Candace Newell continued to ensure we remain steadfast in meeting our people where they are and delivering meaningful results in every corner of our city and state.
Senator Jimmy Harris also continued to demonstrate his steadfast leadership by advocating for, and defending against, issues important to the City of New Orleans by addressing violent crime through his own legislation and by securing critical capital outlay and supplemental funds for City initiatives that will improve quality of life, including the Sewerage and Water Board power plant.
SB127 by Senator Royce Duplessis is a constitutional amendment that would allow the City Council to offer a property tax exemption to first responders. This will essentially enhance the Homestead Exemption to $10,000 of assessed value. In New Orleans, at the current millage rate, this would amount to roughly $350 in additional property tax relief for police, professional and volunteer firefighters, Emergency Medical Services and 9-1-1 operators. This must be approved by voters in the October statewide election.
Three bills, HBs 270, 276 and 370, focused on streamlining Code Enforcement operations and strengthening enforcement for quality-of-life issues. This coincides with the City’s current efforts to increase the Division of Code Enforcement's budget and staff.
HB270 by Rep. Matthew Willard allows the City to mow and maintain lots in the vacant lot abatement program for two years, thus decreasing the amount of administrative red tape required to enroll a lot into the program. HB270 also grants the City the authority to remove graffiti from these lots.
HB276 by Rep. Mandie Landry eliminates a conflict in law that arbitrarily limited the maximum fines that may be imposed by Code Enforcement administrative hearing officers. HB276 also increased the maximum imposable fines from $1,000 on the first offense and $2,000 for second and subsequent offenses for violations of municipal ordinances.
HB370 by Rep. Mandie Landry increases and expedites the criminal penalties for the crime of Criminal Blighting of Property. Before, the criminal prosecution for this crime could only commence after all reviews and appeals of the certification of blight had been exhausted. HB370 allows for criminal prosecution to occur concurrently with the appeals process. HB370 also adds imprisonment penalties for second and subsequent offenses. It is important to note that this law is directed at irresponsible and derelict property owners and that the imprisonment penalties are not applicable when the accused is occupying the property in violation, ensuring that no one will be prosecuted as a result of poverty.
HB505 by Rep. Candace Newell authorizes the City and the State to continue negotiations regarding the City’s acquisition of the State’s portion of Duncan Plaza. Currently, ownership of Duncan Plaza is divided between the City and the State.
Funding
The City secured over $50 million in priority 1 capital outlay funds, over $30 million in priority 5 capital outlay funds and over $7 million in cash for the City’s capital outlay projects.
The City Delegation also secured $1.75 million in supplemental appropriations, including:
- Pathways Program: $650,000
- Parent Leader Training Institute: $150,000
- Crime Cameras: $50,000
- Treme/Seventh Ward Street Lights, Signage, Infrastructure: $250,000
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