Upcoming Important Vote at the New Orleans City Council

03.22.2022
Public Meetings
New Orleans City Council

UPDATE March 28, 2022

Great news! The New Orleans Utility Committee voted in favor of the proposed ethics law. What’s next?

The ordinance will be heard at the April 7th full Council meeting. Your voice is still needed! Comment on Item 10 (Cal. no 33,637) to help!

Make Your Voice Heard! Submit Comments Here

ORIGINAL March 22, 2022

The Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition, a group whose members are working diligently to establish climate justice and promote care of the Earth, calls your attention and your actions to a very important vote of the New Orleans City Council Utility Committee on Wednesday, March 28, 2022.

​The Council has the job of regulating Entergy and other companies, as well as contracting professional services. The GNOICC and its partners proposed an ordinance, a local law, to strengthen the City of New Orleans Code of Ethics to prohibit a campaign contribution or other financial benefit from a utility provider or other entity that is regulated or contracted by the New Orleans City Council.

The passage of this ordinance is a necessary safeguard against the potential for undue influence on energy costs, climate policies, and numerous other matters handled by the Council that impact the daily lives of all New Orleanians.

At the March 28th meeting the Council’s Utility Committee plans to hear comments and vote on the proposed ethics law. This meeting was rescheduled from March 23rd to March 28th because of the severe weather on March 22nd.

A vote in favor by the Committee moves the proposed ethics law to the full City Council for a vote. ​​​​​​

GNOICC thanks the Ethics Review Board for its unanimous vote in favor of this proposed ordinance and Councilmember Helena Moreno for sponsoring it.   ​​

How can you help? ​Attend the Utility Committee meeting and make comments in support of this ordinance.

Learn more about what the proposed ethics law prohibits and how you can help

WHAT DOES THE PROPOSED ETHICS LAW PROHIBIT?

“No Councilmember or candidate seeking the office of Councilmember shall accept or otherwise receive a campaign contribution or any other financial benefit of any value from:

  • Any entity that provides an electric or gas utility, cable, telecommunications or technology service regulated by the City Council;
  • Any political action committee, director or executive staff person of a corporation or entity regulated by the City Council;
  • Any person, firm or entity with a professional service contract awarded by the City Council; or
  • Any person, firm or entity with a professional service contract awarded by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.”

HOW CAN YOU HELP? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!

Attend the April 7th full Council meeting and make comments in support of this ordinance. Your voice is still needed! Comment on Item 10 (Cal. no 33,637) to help!

Attend the Utility Committee meeting and make comments in support of this ordinance. The meeting starts at 11am on Wednesday, March 28, 2022 in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street. Submit comments on the Council’s website by March 28th @9pm CT: bit.ly/commentsMar29​

Email your Councilmembers and tell them to vote “yes” on the proposed ethics ordinance. Please note that Councilmember Helena Moreno (At-Large) is sponsoring the proposed ethics law. Councilmembers on the Utility Committee have an asterisk next to their names.

Related Actions