The Greater New Orleans Interfaith Climate Coalition, (gnoicc.org) a group whose members are working diligently to establish climate justice and promote care of the Earth, calls your attention and your actions to a very important vote of the New Orleans City Council Utility Committee on Wednesday, March 23, 2022.
You may already be aware of the GNOICC’s efforts to prohibit campaign contributions to Councilmembers from companies regulated by the City Council. The Council has the job of regulating Entergy and other companies, as well as contracting professional services. The GNOICC and its partners proposed an ordinance, a local law, to strengthen the City of New Orleans Code of Ethics to prohibit a campaign contribution or other financial benefit from a utility provider or other entity that is regulated or contracted by the New Orleans City Council. The passage of this ordinance is a necessary safeguard against the potential for undue influence on energy costs, climate policies, and numerous other matters handled by the Council that impact the daily lives of all New Orleanians. GNOICC thanks the Ethics Review Board for its unanimous vote in favor of this proposed ordinance and Councilmember Helena Moreno for sponsoring it.
On Wednesday, March 23, 2022, the Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee of the City Council plans to hold a public meeting to hear comments and vote on the proposed ethics law. A vote in favor by the Committee moves the proposed ethics law to the full City Council for a vote.
WHAT DOES THE PROPOSED ETHICS LAW PROHIBIT?
“No Councilmember or candidate seeking the office of Councilmember shall accept or otherwise receive a campaign contribution or any other financial benefit of any value from:
- Any entity that provides an electric or gas utility, cable, telecommunications or technology service regulated by the City Council;
- Any political action committee, director or executive staff person of a corporation or entity regulated by the City Council;
- Any person, firm or entity with a professional service contract awarded by the City Council; or
- Any person, firm or entity with a professional service contract awarded by the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board.”
Click HERE to view the full text.
HOW CAN YOU HELP? MAKE YOUR VOICE HEARD!
Attend the Utility Committee meeting and make comments in support of this ordinance.
UPDATE: Presentation and explanation of the ordinance is planned for the Utilities Committee meeting next Tuesday March 29, 2022, at 11am. Meetings are in the Council Chambers at City Hall, 1300 Perdido Street. Submit a short written comment in advance.
You can also attend the Regular Meeting of the City Council when the ordinance comes up for vote.
This is our chance to show support for ethics in Government! Be present at the City Council to show support of the GNOICC supported Ordinance for ethical government. This is a milestone for New Orleans Government!
22. CAL. NO. 33,637 – BY: COUNCILMEMBER MORENO Brief: An Ordinance to amend Article VII of Chapter 2 of the Code of the City of New Orleans (Code of Ethics) to amend and reordain Section 2-784 of the Code of the City of New Orleans and to ordain Sec. 2-785 and Sec. 2-786 of the Code of the City of New Orleans to prohibit a campaign contribution or other financial benefit from a utility provider or other entity that is regulated or contracted by the New Orleans City Council; and otherwise to provide with respect thereto. Annotation: ELECTRONICALLY SUBMITTED. (Council Rule 34. Postponement Deadline 6/17/22). (Referred to the Utility, Cable, Telecommunications and Technology Committee).
If you cannot attend, email your Councilmembers and tell them to vote “yes” on the proposed ethics ordinance. Please note that Councilmember Helena Moreno (At-Large) is sponsoring the proposed ethics law. Councilmembers on the Utility Committee have an asterisk next to their names.
- * Helena Moreno (At-Large) – helena.moreno@nola.gov
- * J.P. Morrel (At-Large) – jp.morrel@nola.gov
- * Councilmember Joe Giarrusso (District A) – joseph.giarrusso@nola.gov
- Councilmember Lesli Harris (District B) – lesli.harris@nola.gov
- * Councilmember Freddie King (District C) – freddie.king@nola.gov
- Councilmember Eugene Green (District D) – eugene.green@nola.gov
- * Councilmember Oliver Thomas (District E) – oliver.thomas@nola.gov
The ethics ordinance has the full support of:
- Energy Future New Orleans
- Deep South Center for Environmental Justice
- Alliance for Affordable Energy
- The Climate Reality Project