NEW ORLEANS - At today's regular City Council meeting, the Council introduced a parking citation ordinance authored by District "D" Councilmember Jared Brossett that would raise the threshold for booting cars in the city. Ordinance No. 32,236, a joint effort by Councilmember Brossett and State Senator J.P. Morrell, amends the City Code to increase the threshold for booting or "immobilizing" a vehicle due to unpaid parking citations from one to three.
"While New Orleans does rely heavily on traffic citations to pay for government services, the current cost burden on residents has proven unsustainable," said Councilmember Brossett. "This policy has been allowed to go on in New Orleans for far too long, and I'm proud to take this step with my former colleague Senator Morrell to remedy the situation."
Morrell's Senate Bill to raise the threshold unanimously passed the Senate Transportation, Highways and Public Works Committee after being amended to apply only to the City of New Orleans. If Councilmember Brossett's legislation is approved by the Council, the city will no longer continue the current enforcement practices, and Senator Morrell will no longer pursue his bill.
"I am relieved that Councilmember Brossett has stepped up to resolve this issue," said Senator Morrell. "This is a local matter that is best handled locally. As I previously stated, I am shelving my bill and deferring to the City Council to resolve the issue."