NEW ORLEANS - Today, Judge Rachael Johnson of the Orleans Parish Civil District Court granted a temporary restraining order blocking the Louisiana Secretary of State's directive prohibiting the Orleans Parish Registrar of Voters from accepting ballots at remote drop-off locations. Earlier this afternoon, the City Council approved the filing of a lawsuit against the Secretary of State on behalf of voters in New Orleans. The order will remain in effect until the preliminary injunction hearing next Wednesday, October 21, 2020. 

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Council Vice President Helena Moreno announced the New Orleans City Council would hold a special meeting to consider filing a lawsuit challenging the Secretary of State's decision to limit access to absentee ballot curbside drop off locations. The Secretary has declared that absentee ballots may only be returned to the registrar of voters' office in New Orleans and that no further ballot drop off locations may be allowed.

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Council Utilities Committee Chair Helena Moreno announced the committee approval of an agreement to end Entergy New Orleans' pursuit of litigation over last year's rate order.

"Last year, this Council lowered customers' Entergy rates for the first time in a decade," said Councilmember Moreno. "As a result of our rate order, Entergy New Orleans sued the Council in an attempt to stop implementation. Today's agreement ends that lawsuit and leaves the Council's rate order completely intact, preserving the hard-won gains for ratepayers that included lower rates, green power options, freezing the minimum charge, and setting a more reasonable profit margin for the company."

NEW ORLEANS - Councilmember Helena Moreno has released the following statement in response to the loss of Supreme Court Justice Ruth Bader Ginsburg:

NEW ORLEANS - Councilmember Helena Moreno, in partnership with the Cantrell Administration and the Hispanic Outreach Task Force, will recognize Hispanic Heritage and Health Month 2020 from September 15 to October 15. Typically known as Hispanic Heritage Month, the observance will look a bit different this year and highlight key health resources, first-person accounts, and essential resources to address the disparate impact COVID-19 has had on the Hispanic community.