NEW ORLEANS - Council President Helena Moreno has now received official notice of vacancy from Council Vice President Jason Williams effective today, January 11, 2021, at 11 AM.

NEW ORLEANS - Council President Jason Williams was proud to join allies from the Orleans Public Defenders’ Office (OPD) today for a press conference to discuss approval of a historic City Budget amendment relative to funding parity for OPD and the District Attorney (DA) in the coming year.

NEW ORLEANS - Council President Jason Williams has rescheduled today's press conference to discuss the Council's approval of a historic 2021 City Budget amendment relative to parity for the Public Defender's Office and District Attorney (DA) for tomorrow, Nov. 20, at 10:30 AM.

NEW ORLEANS - The Council's Criminal Justice Committee met today to discuss and move closer to implementing several significant legislative priorities aimed at improving the City's criminal legal system.

As it's first major agenda item, the Committee engaged court officials, respected experts and local advocates as part of the one-year review of the Aged Debt and Warrant Clearance Legislation (Ordinance 32,776 & Resolution R-19-370). The Committee, and all parties present today, formally affirmed their commitment to continue to work together to address the outdated policies around Aged Debt and Warrant Clearance, which have inequitably prevented New Orleanians from passing background checks, being hired for quality jobs, obtaining their driver licenses, and more. 

NEW ORLEANS - During today's regular meeting, the Council adopted Resolution R-20-284 by Councilmembers-At-Large Jason Williams and Helena Moreno requesting that the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) and local Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field offices protect public safety and prioritize recovery and rebuilding over immigration enforcement in the aftermath of Hurricane Laura.