We need all hands on deck to tackle COVID19.
The resounding voice of New Orleanians spoke up on Saturday night, when we came together and elected a Democrat to a second term for the first time in 44 years.
The New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment goes to voters on Saturday, with broad support from both sides of the aisle, and from all corners of Louisiana. “Republicans, Democrats and Independents in Louisiana are voting yes on Amendment 4 because it’s about local government’s ability to develop their own solutions to local problems. That’s why I’m joining my colleagues Representatives Richmond
and Scalise
in supporting this measure,” said Congressman Garret Graves
. “Although it doesn’t impact surrounding parishes, voters statewide support New Orleans’ efforts to solve its affordability crisis,” said Congressman Cedric Richmond
.
Amendment 4 would allow the City of New Orleans to develop local solutions to local problems, which is why it enjoys such broad support among Louisiana’s elected officials and business leaders. “The reason why I’m supporting Amendment #4 is because it empowers local officials to determine what they can do with their local tax dollars,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins of Shreveport. Congressman Steve Scalise notes, “if passed, it will allow the City of New Orleans to more effectively clean up blighted housing, and build more affordable housing. While it only affects New Orleans, I urge our neighbors from all across the state to support this measure on the ballot when they go to the polls in October.”
New Orleans is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Many longtime residents are facing skyrocketing assessments and rents. “Tackling the affordable housing crisis has been a priority for me since my earliest days in Broadmoor, and I am tremendously proud that--- with this amendment, we will be able to make real substantive progress and do something that’s never been done before,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell .
While the amendment would only impact New Orleans, leaders statewide recognize its value to protecting Louisiana’s economic engine. Says Representative Jack McFarland , ““I’m voting yes on Amendment #4 this October because it’s a win-win with a single vote. A win for local control and a win for housing.” “This is a market-based solution supported by the business community,” said Representative Cameron Henry . “It does not impact us, but we support New Orleans and all the other cities throughout the state,” said Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo .
Along with a litany of statewide elected officials, Amendment #4 has the support of numerous political, business, and cultural organizations, including Capital One , the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region , the Jefferson Parish Council , Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center , the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans , the Louisiana Budget Project , Step Up Louisiana , and several others.
Action New Orleans , a political action committee formed to support the goals of the Cantrell administration, has led the campaign to pass Amendment 4. In addition to digital ads, radio ads, and community engagement, the organization opened a field office to coordinate volunteer efforts statewide. Learn more at actionnola.com/oct12.
The complete list of officials and organizations supporting the New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment can be found below.
Elected Officials:
Congressman Steve Scalise , LA-01
Congressman Cedric Richmond , LA-02
Congressman Garret Graves , LA-06
Senator Edward Price , SD2
Senator JP Morrell , SD3
Senator-Elect Jimmy Harris , SD4
Senator Karen Carter Peterson , SD5
Senator Troy Carter , SD7
Senator-Elect Patrick Connick , SD8
Senator Gerald Boudreaux , SD24
Senator Eric LaFleur , SD28
Representative Jim Morris , HD1
Representative Jack McFarland , HD13
Representative Katrina Jackson , HD16
Representative Vincent Pierre , HD44
Representative Kirk Talbot , HD78
Representative Julie Stokes , HD79
Representative Clay Schexnayder , HD81
Representative Cameron Henry , HD82
Representative Walt Leger , HD91
Representative Royce Duplessis , HD93
Representative Neil Abramson , HD98
Representative Ted James , HD101
Mayor LaToya Cantrell , New Orleans
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome , Baton Rouge
Mayor Adrian Perkins , Shreveport
Mayor Jeff Hall , Alexandria
Mayor Jamie Mayo , Monroe
Mayor Clarence Fields , Pineville
Councilmember Helena Moreno , New Orleans At-Large
Councilmember Jason Williams , New Orleans At-Large
Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso III , New Orleans District A
Councilmember Jay Banks , New Orleans District B
Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer , New Orleans District C
Councilmember Jared Brossett , New Orleans District D
Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen , New Orleans District E
Jefferson Parish Council
Councilmember W. Beau Black , Plaquemines District 2
Organizations:
The New Orleans Advocate | Times-Picayune
Big Easy Magazine
Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region
Capital One
Crescent City Community Land Trust
Enterprise Community Partners
The Gambit
Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Indivisible New Orleans
Know Your Vote
Louisiana Budget Project
Louisiana Democratic Party
The Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans
National Association of Real Estate Brokers - New Orleans
Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
Sister District Project
Step Up Louisiana
United Teachers of New Orleans
Amendment 4 would allow the City of New Orleans to develop local solutions to local problems, which is why it enjoys such broad support among Louisiana’s elected officials and business leaders. “The reason why I’m supporting Amendment #4 is because it empowers local officials to determine what they can do with their local tax dollars,” said Mayor Adrian Perkins of Shreveport. Congressman Steve Scalise notes, “if passed, it will allow the City of New Orleans to more effectively clean up blighted housing, and build more affordable housing. While it only affects New Orleans, I urge our neighbors from all across the state to support this measure on the ballot when they go to the polls in October.”
New Orleans is in the midst of an affordable housing crisis. Many longtime residents are facing skyrocketing assessments and rents. “Tackling the affordable housing crisis has been a priority for me since my earliest days in Broadmoor, and I am tremendously proud that--- with this amendment, we will be able to make real substantive progress and do something that’s never been done before,” said New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell .
While the amendment would only impact New Orleans, leaders statewide recognize its value to protecting Louisiana’s economic engine. Says Representative Jack McFarland , ““I’m voting yes on Amendment #4 this October because it’s a win-win with a single vote. A win for local control and a win for housing.” “This is a market-based solution supported by the business community,” said Representative Cameron Henry . “It does not impact us, but we support New Orleans and all the other cities throughout the state,” said Monroe Mayor Jamie Mayo .
Along with a litany of statewide elected officials, Amendment #4 has the support of numerous political, business, and cultural organizations, including Capital One , the Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region , the Jefferson Parish Council , Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center , the Music and Culture Coalition of New Orleans , the Louisiana Budget Project , Step Up Louisiana , and several others.
Action New Orleans , a political action committee formed to support the goals of the Cantrell administration, has led the campaign to pass Amendment 4. In addition to digital ads, radio ads, and community engagement, the organization opened a field office to coordinate volunteer efforts statewide. Learn more at actionnola.com/oct12.
The complete list of officials and organizations supporting the New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment can be found below.
Elected Officials:
Congressman Steve Scalise , LA-01
Congressman Cedric Richmond , LA-02
Congressman Garret Graves , LA-06
Senator Edward Price , SD2
Senator JP Morrell , SD3
Senator-Elect Jimmy Harris , SD4
Senator Karen Carter Peterson , SD5
Senator Troy Carter , SD7
Senator-Elect Patrick Connick , SD8
Senator Gerald Boudreaux , SD24
Senator Eric LaFleur , SD28
Representative Jim Morris , HD1
Representative Jack McFarland , HD13
Representative Katrina Jackson , HD16
Representative Vincent Pierre , HD44
Representative Kirk Talbot , HD78
Representative Julie Stokes , HD79
Representative Clay Schexnayder , HD81
Representative Cameron Henry , HD82
Representative Walt Leger , HD91
Representative Royce Duplessis , HD93
Representative Neil Abramson , HD98
Representative Ted James , HD101
Mayor LaToya Cantrell , New Orleans
Mayor Sharon Weston Broome , Baton Rouge
Mayor Adrian Perkins , Shreveport
Mayor Jeff Hall , Alexandria
Mayor Jamie Mayo , Monroe
Mayor Clarence Fields , Pineville
Councilmember Helena Moreno , New Orleans At-Large
Councilmember Jason Williams , New Orleans At-Large
Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso III , New Orleans District A
Councilmember Jay Banks , New Orleans District B
Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer , New Orleans District C
Councilmember Jared Brossett , New Orleans District D
Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen , New Orleans District E
Jefferson Parish Council
Councilmember W. Beau Black , Plaquemines District 2
Organizations:
The New Orleans Advocate | Times-Picayune
Big Easy Magazine
Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region
Capital One
Crescent City Community Land Trust
Enterprise Community Partners
The Gambit
Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center
Greater New Orleans, Inc.
Indivisible New Orleans
Know Your Vote
Louisiana Budget Project
Louisiana Democratic Party
The Music & Culture Coalition of New Orleans
National Association of Real Estate Brokers - New Orleans
Power Coalition for Equity and Justice
Sister District Project
Step Up Louisiana
United Teachers of New Orleans
We’re proud to see how many candidates are prepared to stand with Mayor LaToya Cantrell and fight for our fair share of resources in Baton Rouge. These candidates know that excuses like “this isn’t the right time” or “this doesn’t go far enough” don’t help New Orleans: we need action, hard work, and results. This election is a crucial part of the longer fair share journey
, and we need a united team in Baton Rouge of legislators ready to work together and continue the fight for our city.
We’re supporting a range of ballot initiatives to improve the quality of life in our city and deliver residents their fair share of opportunity, starting with Constitutional Amendment #4
to encourage affordable housing, on the October 12th ballot. In November, we’ll have four more initiatives to pass: to combat discrimination, to maintain our infrastructure, to give the city permission to sell bonds, and to tax short-term rentals the same as hotels. Help us in this effort by signing up to volunteer.
We would like to thank each and every candidate and voter who took the pledge. Read the pledge and take it yourself.
The pledged candidates and elected officials, in order of the time they took the pledge, are as follows:
- Mandie Landry, State House District 91
- Ravi Sangisetty, State House District 98
- L. Jameel Shaheer, State House District 99
- Matthew Willard, State House District 97
- Max Hayden Chiz, State House District 98
- Jason Hughes, State House District 100
- Kea Sherman, State House District 98
- Dr. Ashonta Wyatt, BESE 2
- Carling Dinkler, State House District 91
- Dr. Tammy Savoie, State House District 94
- Carlos Zervigon, State House District 98
- Aimee Freeman, State House District 98
- Larry E. Sorapuru, St. John Parish Council-at-Large, Division A
- Robert McKnight, State House District 91
- "Pepper" Bowen Roussel, State House District 91
- Rep. Joseph Bouie, State Senate District 3
- Willie Jones, Lt. Governor
- Eugene Green, State House District 97
- Shawon Bernard, BESE 2
- Ethan Ashley, State House District 97
- Sen. Karen Carter Peterson, State Senate District 5
- Adonis Expose', State House District 99
- Allen Borne, State Senate District 5
- Evan Bergeron, State House District 98
- Brandon Gregoire, State Senate District 3
- CM Jared Brossett, City Council District D
- Durrell Laurent, State House District 97
- Anthony Jackson, Jr., State House District 100
- Rep. John H. Bagneris, State House District 100
- Candace Newell, State House District 99
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell
will embark on a statewide tour September 11th – 13th to visit with leaders on the New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment. The trip will include meetings with faith-based leaders, affordable housing advocates, editorial boards, and the mayors of Baton Rouge, Bossier City, Shreveport, Alexandria, and Lake Charles. Mayor Cantrell will also join Gov. John Bel Edwards
to address the Natchitoches Parish Voters League at 5pm on September 12th.
“Tackling the affordable housing crisis has been a priority for me since my earliest days in Broadmoor, and I am tremendously proud that--- with this amendment, we will be able to make real substantive progress and do something that’s never been done before,” said Mayor Cantrell . “When we are faced with funding challenges and a dire need, which the housing crisis presents: our leaders have to rely on innovation. When this passes, we can begin granting ad valorem tax exemptions to incentivize the creation of more units, more affordably.”
Action New Orleans , a political action committee formed to support the goals of the Cantrell administration, will lead the campaign efforts for the proposition. They are asking voters statewide to “Vote Yes 4 NOLA Homes.” The group plans to use digital advertising and direct voter contact to take its case to the people of Louisiana. They recently opened a field office in New Orleans to launch canvass and phone banking efforts.
“More often than not, constitutional amendments go to voters without much campaigning from either side,” said Maggie Carroll , Chairperson for Action New Orleans. “We believe by appealing to them directly, voters will see that this is a win-win for the state, helping to preserve New Orleans’ tax base, which in turn protects our economic and cultural engine.”
The digital launch of their campaign will begin with a video on the proposition featuring New Orleans resident Maggie Tidwell , Jindal former Chief of Staff and Affordable Housing advocate Paul Rainwater , Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome , Voice of the Experienced Executive Director and State Director for the Unanimous Jury Coalition Norris Henderson , and Cashauna Hill , executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center.
"We’ve been advocating for local solutions to the problem of rising tax assessments for five years because we saw high housing costs pushing long-time homeowners and renters out of gentrifying neighborhoods. Proposition 4 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support our people, keep us in our homes, and preserve our culture as housing costs continue to rise,” said Cashauna Hill , executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center.
“Amendment #4 is a great opportunity for voters to make homes more affordable in New Orleans,” said John Sullivan , State and Local Policy Director for Enterprise Community Partners Gulf Coast. “Property tax abatements are a proven tool that cities all over the country are using to create and preserve affordable homes.”
“This is a market-based solution supported by the business community,” said State Rep. Cameron Henry (R-82). “Constitutional Amendment #4 allows leaders to develop local solutions to local problems.”
Action New Orleans has so far been successful in each of its endeavors for Mayor Cantrell. They were the sole organization to campaign for the winning “No” vote on the Council on Aging millage. ANO Communications Director Kristine Breithaupt served on the Together for Parks campaign which was successful in renewing the parks and recreation millage. Most notably, Action New Orleans campaigned statewide for the Fair Share agreement which passed in the legislature. The group will take on four more ballot initiatives in the November 16th runoff election.
The video and more information on the New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment is available at actionnola.com/oct12
“Tackling the affordable housing crisis has been a priority for me since my earliest days in Broadmoor, and I am tremendously proud that--- with this amendment, we will be able to make real substantive progress and do something that’s never been done before,” said Mayor Cantrell . “When we are faced with funding challenges and a dire need, which the housing crisis presents: our leaders have to rely on innovation. When this passes, we can begin granting ad valorem tax exemptions to incentivize the creation of more units, more affordably.”
Action New Orleans , a political action committee formed to support the goals of the Cantrell administration, will lead the campaign efforts for the proposition. They are asking voters statewide to “Vote Yes 4 NOLA Homes.” The group plans to use digital advertising and direct voter contact to take its case to the people of Louisiana. They recently opened a field office in New Orleans to launch canvass and phone banking efforts.
“More often than not, constitutional amendments go to voters without much campaigning from either side,” said Maggie Carroll , Chairperson for Action New Orleans. “We believe by appealing to them directly, voters will see that this is a win-win for the state, helping to preserve New Orleans’ tax base, which in turn protects our economic and cultural engine.”
The digital launch of their campaign will begin with a video on the proposition featuring New Orleans resident Maggie Tidwell , Jindal former Chief of Staff and Affordable Housing advocate Paul Rainwater , Baton Rouge Mayor Sharon Weston Broome , Voice of the Experienced Executive Director and State Director for the Unanimous Jury Coalition Norris Henderson , and Cashauna Hill , executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center.
"We’ve been advocating for local solutions to the problem of rising tax assessments for five years because we saw high housing costs pushing long-time homeowners and renters out of gentrifying neighborhoods. Proposition 4 is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to support our people, keep us in our homes, and preserve our culture as housing costs continue to rise,” said Cashauna Hill , executive director of the Greater New Orleans Fair Housing Action Center.
“Amendment #4 is a great opportunity for voters to make homes more affordable in New Orleans,” said John Sullivan , State and Local Policy Director for Enterprise Community Partners Gulf Coast. “Property tax abatements are a proven tool that cities all over the country are using to create and preserve affordable homes.”
“This is a market-based solution supported by the business community,” said State Rep. Cameron Henry (R-82). “Constitutional Amendment #4 allows leaders to develop local solutions to local problems.”
Action New Orleans has so far been successful in each of its endeavors for Mayor Cantrell. They were the sole organization to campaign for the winning “No” vote on the Council on Aging millage. ANO Communications Director Kristine Breithaupt served on the Together for Parks campaign which was successful in renewing the parks and recreation millage. Most notably, Action New Orleans campaigned statewide for the Fair Share agreement which passed in the legislature. The group will take on four more ballot initiatives in the November 16th runoff election.
The video and more information on the New Orleans Affordable Housing Constitutional Amendment is available at actionnola.com/oct12
Almost $200 million will flow into New Orleans over the next five years to repair our streets and improve our ancient drainage system. In a ceremony at the Sewerage & Water Board on Friday, Governor John Bel Edwards
was joined by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, the New Orleans legislative delegation, and others as he signed into law the infrastructure funding legislation we've worked so hard on. This victory belongs to the people of New Orleans. Mayor Cantrell said she will unveil how implementation will roll out next week.
Sen. Karen Carter Peterson praised Mayor Cantrell's efforts saying: "Promises made. Promises kept." She emphasized this deal showed an infrastructure investment the people of New Orleans deserved.
Getting our #fairshare wasn't the only win for our city this legislative session. Our stellar New Orleans delegation helped us pass the following bills, done on Mayor Cantrell's request:
Sen. Karen Carter Peterson praised Mayor Cantrell's efforts saying: "Promises made. Promises kept." She emphasized this deal showed an infrastructure investment the people of New Orleans deserved.
Getting our #fairshare wasn't the only win for our city this legislative session. Our stellar New Orleans delegation helped us pass the following bills, done on Mayor Cantrell's request:
- Senator Troy Carter pushed for SB71, which provides interpreters for victims of domestic violence seeking protective orders;
- Sen. Carter also sponsored SB79 and 80, which authorizes the city to create affordable housing programs that leverage tax incentives;
- Representative John Bagneris advanced legislation to increase local control over HANO;
- Senator Karen Carter Peterson led the effort to allow the RTA to determine its own management;
- Rep. Royce Duplessis passed HCR81 requesting the sexual assault oversight commission to study the medical treatment of victims of assault during forensic exams to develop guidelines.
And of course we must thank the legislators who sponsored the infrastructure funding bills:
- Representative Jimmy Harris drove the legislation to raise funding from short-term rentals;
- Representative Neil Abramson was crucial to restoring the 1% hotel sales tax for the City;
- Representative Walt Leger led the effort to regulate the Convention Center as they build their new hotel.
While we've made profound progress, we still have work to do to make our city the best it can be. This Fall, voters statewide will decide on a constitutional amendment to confirm the affordable housing measures passed in SB79. We will also go to the polls in New Orleans to bring the short term rentals tax rate more in line with hotel taxes, which further promotes affordable housing and provides infrastructure revenue. You can help us as we campaign for these initiatives by donating today.
Thank you again for your continued support throughout this legislative session. Because of you, a better New Orleans will become a reality.
Thank you again for your continued support throughout this legislative session. Because of you, a better New Orleans will become a reality.
A recent NPR story talked about the phenomenon of teens breaking in cars to loot for guns, which causes traumatic violent events.
This is a sad reality we have come to know in New Orleans as car burglaries are on the rise. A longstanding curfew ordinance is back under enforcement, thanks to the availability of the Covenant House to drop off kids when their parents can't be reached. To be clear: teens who break curfew are not being arrested if they are not committing crimes. They're not being stopped and frisked: NOPD only checks them for weapons if they put them in the back of a police car. Instead, law enforcement is calling their parents to pick them up.
The Youth Study Center is facing the very real problem of overcrowding. The new facility was built with the intention of having less beds, and more wraparound and intervention services to keep juvenile offenders at home. Unfortunately, the larger criminal justice community has not caught up to this mindset, and more work is needed to send less juveniles to the YSC.
This has resulted in some violent juvenile offenders being sent to adult facilities, where they are kept separate from adult offenders.
No one wants to see teenagers go through the justice system. So how can we, as a community, do our part to prevent this?
Take your guns and valuables out of your cars when you get home. Talk to your kids. Get to know teens in your neighborhood. Take part in mentorship programs. If you can, give jobs to teens. With long term paradigm shifts, we can all help teens and their families while keeping our city safe.
Learn more about other resources for teens this summer including jobs and activities.
Take your guns and valuables out of your cars when you get home. Talk to your kids. Get to know teens in your neighborhood. Take part in mentorship programs. If you can, give jobs to teens. With long term paradigm shifts, we can all help teens and their families while keeping our city safe.
Learn more about other resources for teens this summer including jobs and activities.
FAIR SHARE FOR INFRASTRUCTURE BILLS CLEAR LEGISLATURE
The #fairshare package of legislation to help solve the New Orleans infrastructure crisis has passed the state legislature, and awaits Governor John Bel Edwards' signature. Thanks to your efforts, tens of millions of dollars will flow to New Orleans from funds generated by our tourism industry to fix crumbling streets and ancient pipes. We will be able to pay outstanding bills on millions owed to local contractors so they can stay in business.
AFFORDABLE HOUSING BILLS CLEAR LEGISLATURE
This legislative session has been a huge victory for the people of New Orleans
all around. With the passage of SB79 and SB80, we are also one step closer to
creating local tax incentives to keep housing affordable for homeowners and
renters. The constitutional amendment proposal will go to a vote statewide this
fall.
From Mayor LaToya Cantrell:
“Tackling the affordable housing crisis has been a priority for me since my earliest days in Broadmoor, and I am tremendously proud that--- with this legislation, we were able to make real substantive progress and do something that’s never been done before,” said Mayor Cantrell. “When we are faced with funding challenges and a dire need, which the housing crisis presents: our leaders have to rely on innovation. This package of legislation does that. With this bill, we can take our proposal to voters across the state and begin granting ad valorem tax exemptions to incentivize the creation of more units, more affordably."
OUR NEXT STEPS FORWARD
We are sincerely grateful for all of you who called, sent e-mails, and visited your legislators for these issues. The affordable housing constitutional amendment will go to voters statewide this fall. We will also need to carry our message to a citywide vote to raise revenue from short term rentals for infrastructure, as part of the overall #fairshare package. Your continued support is key to making this possible, so please consider donating today.
New S&WB Executive Director Ghassan Korban recently announced the S&WB’s plan to address critical drainage needs with their new funding, secured earlier this month by Mayor LaToya Cantrell in a deal with Governor John Bel Edwards and tourism leaders.
Mayor LaToya Cantrell recently reached a deal with the state government and the local tourism industry to better fund our infrastructure with revenue from tourism.
