NEW ORLEANS, LA — Councilmember Lesli Harris was unanimously selected as Chair of the Budget, Audit, and Board of Review Committee on January 12th, and will serve as the Council’s voting representative on the Revenue Estimating Conference (REC). Harris will lead the Council’s budget work at a pivotal fiscal moment for the City of New Orleans over the next four years.

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Today, the New Orleans City Council adopted Resolution R-26-3, reaffirming the City’s commitment to issuing previously promised retention bonuses to eligible New Orleans Police Department (NOPD) officers and pledging to work collaboratively with the incoming-Mayoral administration to ensure payments are made as promptly and responsibly as possible.

NEW ORLEANS, LA – At its regular meeting on Thursday, January 8, 2026, the Council unanimously overruled the Mayor’s veto of Ordinance No. 35,324, which temporarily prohibits the expenditure of funds from certain revenue sources, including any new sources. The Council also voted to direct the City Planning Commission to hold a public hearing to consider renaming certain land to Zephyr Court. Additionally, the Council adopted Resolution R-26-18, which urges the Council to formally recognize certain service and community leaders, and more.

Before the meeting began, the Council issued two proclamations. The first went to George “Geordie” Huguley for his achievements as a Special Olympics gold-medal swimmer. In 2025, Huguley won three Gold medals and one silver medal, bringing his total to nearly 50 medals over his swimming career.

NEW ORLEANS, LA — Councilmember Lesli Harris released the following statement in response to fatal shooting of Renee Nicole Good by an ICE agent in Minneapolis and the continued presence of CBP and ICE in New Orleans.

NEW ORLEANS, LA - Since 2019, District A Councilmember Joe Giarrusso has been working with neighbors, the current Administration, and the New Orleans Public Belt to complete the Uptown Railroad Quiet Zone. The Railroad Quiet Zone will run along the River from the Oak Street crossing to Nashville Avenue, crossing through Audubon Park and Children’s Hospital campus. Quiet Zones allow trains to pass through intersections without being obligated to sound their horn, barring an emergency.