New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has firmly vetoed a city council ordinance seeking to adjust the role of the city attorney, a move that would have allowed for increased council oversight. The ordinance, which was unanimously approved by the council last week, aimed to prevent the city attorney from favoring either the mayor's office or the council in disputes, and also sought to make it more difficult for the mayor to dismiss the city attorney. According to reports from WWLTV, Cantrell dubbed the measure "legislative overreach" and described it as an effort by the council to weaken her authority.
The City Services Coalition, a volunteer group advocating for the ordinance, had promoted the legislation as part of a larger push for good-government reforms. They argued that the changes would ensure the city attorney's office remained neutral and independent. Mayor Cantrell, however, on Friday called the proposal an undermining of her office's power. "This ordinance represents another clear example of legislative overreach into the internal operations of the executive branch," she said in a statement obtained by WWLTV. Councilman Joe Giarrusso stands in support of the voters, asserting, "I trust them with this decision," as reported by WDSU.com.
The City Council appears to be ready to counter Mayor Cantrell's action with a vote to override the veto on Thursday. The ultimate decision could significantly alter the relationship between the executive and legislative branches in New Orleans, though it seems clear that the Mayor is prepared to fight to maintain her office's established authority. According to a WWLTV report, Council leaders expect to successfully override the mayor's veto. If that happens, New Orleans residents could have the opportunity to weigh in on the dynamics of their city government in the upcoming elections.
