NEW ORLEANS - Today, the Community Development Committee heard a central staff presentation requested by Council President Helena Moreno to reopen the Council's Chamber for in-person public meetings. The plan, approved by the City's Chief Health Officer, Dr. Jennifer Avegno, allows for a maximum capacity of 30-40 members of the public and requires face coverings for all attendees. Council Chambers has also been modified and outfitted with plexiglass safety barriers and social distancing mitigations to help protect attendees.

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Council President Helena Moreno advanced her legislation to decriminalize fentanyl testing strips, a widely supported harm reduction measure to save lives in New Orleans. Fentanyl-laced drugs are one of the leading causes of overdoses in New Orleans and throughout the country. Testing strips to determine the presence of fentanyl are currently banned by the City Code.

NEW ORLEANS - During the Council’s Criminal Justice Committee meeting tomorrow morning, members will hear historical and analytical perspectives on cannabis enforcement in New Orleans brought forth at the request of Council President Helena Moreno. The presentation by the Vera Institute’s Will Snowden and Council Criminal Justice Analyst Jeff Asher will highlight the persistent racial inequities in cannabis enforcement and the harm those inequities pose to communities of color.

NEW ORLEANS - Today, Council President and Utilities Chair Helena Moreno signaled her intention to bring forward a prudence investigation of Entergy New Orleans’ (ENO) actions around the 2021 Mardi Gras Blackout, or load shedding event. Moreno did so after formally receiving a preliminary report from the Council’s expert utility team outlining initial findings of critical technical and operational issues within the ENO’s real-time response to the event.

NEW ORLEANS - Council President Helena Moreno filed a resolution with five coauthors in support of efforts in the state legislature to decriminalize the possession and use of marijuana in Louisiana. Moreno supported such efforts as a legislator and has continued advocacy around decriminalization since becoming a New Orleans City Councilmember. 

According to the Tax Foundation 16 states and Washington, DC have legalized recreational marijuana. Twelve states impose taxes. Legislation in Louisiana has been filed by both Democratic and Republican lawmakers showing the growing support for