New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has vetoed a city council ordinance that would adjust the responsibilities of the city attorney’s office in New Orleans.
Currently, the mayor’s office has the right to appoint and remove the city attorney, but the council’s ordinance sought to change that language to allow the council to reinstate the attorney if it sees fit.
Cantrell said the ordinance “violates the home charter and is a redundant overreach of power.”
Mayor Cantrell issued the following official statement:
“Pursuant to Section 3-113 of the New Orleans Home Rule Charter, I, LaToya Cantrell, Mayor of New Orleans, do hereby disapprove of and veto Ordinance Calendar Number 35,166 as passed by the New Orleans City Council. I do so for several reasons.
“The City Council’s authority does not extend to administrative control over executive officers. Section 4- 106 (1) of the Home Rule Charter is clear that the Department of Law exists within the executive branch. It states, ‘The City Attorney shall be appointed and may be removed by the Mayor.’ This ordinance represents another clear example of legislative overreach into the internal operations of the executive branch and is yet another attempt by this City Council to usurp the powers entrusted to the office of the Mayor.”
New Orleans City Councilman Joe Giarrusso issued the following statement:
“This is a ballot measure supported by the City Services Coalition who want what is in the City’s best interest. My view is simple. Let the voters have their say. I trust them with this decision.”
READ MORE:New Orleans mayor vetoes ordinance over city attorney
