NEW ORLEANS, LA — Following yesterday’s emergency budget hearing, Councilmember Lesli Harris expressed deep concern over the City’s worsening fiscal crisis and called for stronger long-term financial planning and safeguards to prevent future shortfalls.

The New Orleans City Council was informed that these latest budget gaps stem in part from delayed federal reimbursements and advancement of JIRR funds due to the ongoing federal government shutdown, which has stalled critical payments to local governments across the country. The shortfall is coupled with the already expected budget issues related to the extraordinary overtime costs related to the New Year’s Eve terrorist attack and heightened security demands during this year’s Super Bowl.

NEW ORLEANS, LA — District B Councilmember Lesli Harris joined city officials, community partners, and the family of the late Barbara Lacen-Keller on Friday, October 10, to celebrate the grand opening of Barbara Lacen-Keller Park, a new green space honoring one of Central City’s most beloved community leaders.

Once a vacant, unused concrete lot near the Keller Community Center, the space has been transformed through funding secured by Councilmember Harris in the City’s capital budget. The new park features lush landscaping, benches, shade trees, and gathering areas designed to bring joy, connection, and recreation to Central City residents.

On Thursday, September 18th at 1:00PM, the New Orleans City Council’s Quality of Life Committee will consider a motion to create a new Healthy Workplace Program. The program would allow employers to be designated as Healthy Workplaces, with one of its goals being to educate and support small local businesses. By promoting locally owned employers and providing resources to help them create healthier workplace environments, the program aims to improve the lives of workers and their families across the city.

NEW ORLEANS, LA — The City secured a landmark victory in Federal Court today. The Honorable Judge Zainey dismissed Airbnb’s lawsuit with prejudice for failure to state a claim upon which relief can be granted. The lawsuit alleged that the City’s 2023 short-term rental laws—creating non-commercial short-term rental permits—violated property owners’ constitutional rights. Additionally, the platform claimed the City’s regulations also violated the platform’s constitutional rights as well as federal laws. 

NEW ORLEANS, LA – In response to the letter from the Department of Housing and Urban Development suspending Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s ability to sign funding contracts, Councilmember Lesli Harris issued the following statement