ballot of yes

On November 16th, Voters can help solve New Orleans' most pressing issues.



THE CHALLENGE WE FACE 
New Orleans was founded 300 years ago on marshland that was to become a modern engineering marvel. But for decades, our city’s infrastructure has fallen short of residents’ needs. We have to decide as a community, if we will tackle our outdated system head on, and slow our vulnerability to flooding and future storm events. 


When we talk about infrastructure, we also have to consider our human infrastructure: the people who make this the most creative and unique city in the world. Our workforce, neighborhoods, and culture demand sustainable and affordable living.


Our neighborhoods and communities are under siege from rising housing prices. This affects hospitality workers and retirees who can no longer afford to pay rent or rising property taxes. Businesses can’t operate without running water and basic infrastructure, and residents can’t drive to work if their cars are flooded. 


WE’RE FIGHTING AGAINST THE STATUS QUO 
We cannot keep kicking the can down the road, and Mayor LaToya Cantrell is leading the charge by picking it up. She and the New Orleans City Council need the teeth, authority, and funding to solve these problems.


HOW YOU CAN HELP
On November 16th, the Mayor’s “Ballot of Yes!” gives the city revenue and authority to rebuild our infrastructure, maintain our assets, protect our most vulnerable citizens, and create affordable housing. 


We are asking all supporters, advocates, and volunteers to sign up for one canvassing or text-banking shift during the final stretch. 

Human Rights Commission Amendment

Adding a Human Rights Commission to the city charter will make New Orleans a more welcoming, inclusive place. This allows for an administrative process to help residents solve discrimination claims more easily, similar to our state Human Rights Commission.
  • Ballot Language

    Shall Article V of the Home Rule Charter of the City of New Orleans be amended to add Sections 5-1101 through 5-1103 thereto to create a local Human Rights Commission to safeguard all individuals in the City of New Orleans from discrimination and to exercise all powers, duties, and functions provided by applicable state and municipal law?

Short-Term Rental Tax For Visitors 

Visitors who stay in short term rentals will pay their fair share for infrastructure by paying the same state tax rate hotel occupants pay.

  • Ballot Language

    Shall the City of New Orleans (the "City"), under provisions of Article VI, Section 30 of the Louisiana Constitution and other applicable constitutional and statutory authority, be authorized to levy and collect in perpetuity, beginning January 1, 2020, on short term rentals of overnight lodging in the City an occupancy tax (the "Tax") in an amount not to exceed six and three-quarters percent (6 3/4%) of the rent or fee charged for such occupancy, with approximately $10,500,000 estimated to be collected from the levy of the Tax for an entire year if it is levied at the 6 3/4% maximum, and with the proceeds of such Tax, except for a reasonable collection fee, if any, to be distributed as follows: seventy-five percent (75%) shall be dedicated to the infrastructure fund of the City created pursuant to Ordinance No. 27,986, M.C.S., and twenty-five percent (25%) shall be allocated, pursuant to a multi-year cooperative endeavor agreement approved by the City Council, to New Orleans & Company to be used to promote tourism in the City?

Infrastructure Bond Sale

The city will have more funding for roads, streets, drainage, and bridges without increasing the tax rate on the public. It will also lower the cost of living for everyone by allowing us to create new affordable housing. This will not cost residents a dime.

The funds generated will provide:

-$250 million to maintain surface/subsurface street roads drainage 
-$225 million to maintain public buildings and equipment
-$25 million to support affordable housing
  • Ballot Language

    Shall the City of New Orleans, Louisiana (the "City"), incur debt and issue up to $500,000,000 of bonds, in multiple series, each series to run not exceeding thirty (30) years from the date thereof and bearing interest at a rate not exceeding eight percent (8.00%) per annum, for the purpose of making capital improvements in the City permitted by the City's Home Rule Charter, including constructing, renovating, acquiring, and/or improving (i) roads, streets and bridges; (ii) public buildings, affordable housing facilities, libraries, and parks and recreational facilities; (iii) surface and subsurface drainage systems and stormwater management facilities; and (iv) public safety equipment, including acquiring all necessary land, equipment and furnishings for each of the foregoing, which bonds will be general obligations of the City, payable from ad valorem taxes to be levied and collected in the manner provided by Article VI, Section 33 of the Constitution of the State of Louisiana of 1974 and statutory authority supplemental thereto, with no estimated increase in the millage rate to be levied in the first year above the 22.5 mills currently being levied to pay General Obligation Bonds of the City?

Maintenance Fund

For the first time ever, we can set up a dedicated maintenance fund to protect the city’s most vital resources. This helps us save money in the long run by fixing what we have while complying with Federal regulations. The average homeowner with a $200,000 mortgage will pay just $37.50 annually.

The funds will be allocated to maintain:

-$5.125 million (50%) to roads, streets, and bridges; drainage systems; and stormwater management
-$3.625 million (35%) to public buildings and public safety facilities
-$1.5 million (15%) to vehicles and equipment

  • Ballot Language

    Shall the City of New Orleans, Louisiana (the "City") be authorized to levy a special tax of 3.00 mills on all property subject to taxation in the City ("Tax") for a period of twenty years, beginning January 1, 2020 and ending December 31, 2039 ($10,250,000 currently estimated to be collected from the Tax for an entire year), with the proceeds to be dedicated solely to public infrastructure in the City and to be used for the purposes of repairing, improving, maintaining and operating (i) roads, streets, and bridges, (ii) surface and subsurface drainage systems and stormwater management facilities, and (iii) public buildings and public safety facilities of the City, including purchasing related equipment and vehicles for any of the foregoing, provided that a portion of the monies collected shall be remitted to certain state and statewide retirement systems in the manner required by law?

turnup turnout rally new orleans
Share by: