NEW ORLEANS - Today, the City Council Street Renaming Commission, an advisory committee created to initiate a public engagement process to consider renaming certain streets, parks, and public places in New Orleans that honor white supremacists, held their first meeting. The Council approved the motion authored by Councilmembers Kristin Gisleson Palmer and Jay H. Banks to establish the Commission during a regular meeting on June 18.

NEW ORLEANS - Councilman Jay H. Banks is urging eligible workers to apply for the Frontline Workers COVID-19 Hazard Pay Rebate Program. Applications for the program open today, July 15, and will remain open through October 31, 2020. The program is administered by the Louisiana Department of Revenue, and the application can be found at frontlineworkers.la.gov .

NEW ORLEANS  - At this week's New Orleans City Council Community Development Committee meeting, the New Orleans Regional Black Chamber of Commerce (NORBCC) provided an overview of longstanding disparities, further exacerbated by COVID-19, that impact New Orleans citizens and small businesses.

NEW ORLEANS - At yesterday's regular meeting, the City Council approved four land use items that will bolster New Orleans's housing availability, each in different but significant ways. Councilmember Jay H. Banks has been consistently committed to this steady approach of reactivating existing housing stock and creating new opportunities close to jobs. These positive steps were made with the support of the full Council, including Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso's tactful approval of four units of established multi-family housing in District A and Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer's recognition of the importance of historic and affordable tax credits.

NEW ORLEANS - District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer and District "B" Councilmember Jay H. Banks will introduce a resolution at the next regular meeting on Thursday, May 7, 2020, supporting the Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority's decision to pause development of its proposed hotel, entertainment district and capital improvement plan during the COVID-19 pandemic. The resolution urges the Ernest N. Morial Exhibition Hall Authority, which serves as the governing board of the New Orleans Ernest N. Morial Convention Center, to consider utilizing its surplus taxpayer reserve fund to support the City's hospitality and tourism industry.