For the second consecutive month, the state Bond Commission has voted to delay a 39-million dollar future line of credit for the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board. Attorney General Jeff Landry they says they want city leaders to explain their stance that it will not enforce the state’s new abortion ban law.
“When an elected official goes out and takes an official action that says they are not going to enforce laws it’s not trivial, it’s a basis for democracy,” said Landry.
Lobbyist Paul Rainwater spoke on behalf of the city. Rainwater made the case that this funding is critical to complete a project that would reduce street flooding in New Orleans.
“If we are going to pick something, pick something non-essential, not the Sewerage and Water Board,” said Rainwater.
Seven to six was the vote in favor of delaying the funding, which would not be made available until at least 2023. The no votes came from representatives of the Edwards Administration and state senators like Jimmy Harris, who claims Landry is playing politics with future financing that can help 384,000 people.
“So if we are going to play the politics game, let’s do it across the board, let’s not just do it with the city of New Orleans, let’s do it with everybody, because there are some things in your areas that I don’t agree with your locals,” said Harris.
But Landry says elected officials should not be able to put out a statement saying they will not follow a state law and not face repercussions.
“To says those laws are not good enough for them to enforce that is not an expression that’s an absolute dereliction of duty,” said Landry.
The money is for a new power station to improve the state’s pumping capability.
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