Great News! The Ethics Law Passed at the New Orleans City Council!

04.07.2022

Utility Regulation

New Orleans City Council

Entergy New Orleans

Consumer Protection

Great news! The ethics ordinance passed at today’s New Orleans City Council meeting.

The ethics law bans campaign contributions from companies the New Orleans City Council regulates or contracts with, including Entergy, AT&T, and Cox Communications.

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.

View the Ethics Ordinance

More than 50 New Orleans residents gave comments in support of the ethics ban at the March 29th New Orleans City Council Utility Committee meeting.

Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition (GNOICC) first proposed the ban, which was then approved by the Ethics Review Board in August 2021.

Councilmember Helena Moreno introduced the legislation in February that was voted on March 29th by the City Council Utility Committee, and approved today, April 7th, by the full Council. Councilmembers J.P. Morrell (At-Large), Joe Giarrusso (District A), and Freddie King (District C), joined as co-sponsors.

What does the 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.”

The Council committee's vote for the ethics ban on campaign contributions is an important step forward for equity and justice in New Orleans. We don't want energy costs, drainage projects, and what we do in this climate crisis to have the undue influence of money from companies regulated or contracted by the City Council. Thanks to our partner organization, the Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition (GNOICC), for making this possible. We applaud Councilmember Helena Moreno for introducing this necessary amendment to the Ethics Code, as well as Councilmembers J.P. Morrell, Joe Giarrusso, and Freddie King for co-sponsoring it.

Excerpt from Dr. Beverly Wright, Executive Director of the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice

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