The city of New Orleans has an established travel policy that requires employees to travel coach on flights. If that employee chooses to upgrade to any other section, the employee must pay the difference in the cost of those fares. Taxpayer money cannot be used for upgrades when coach fares are available. Through public records requests, Nola.com discovered New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell spent about $29,000 to fly first class during various trips since January 2021.
At a media availability last week, Mayor Cantrell stated she chose to fly first class for security purposes. According to reporting by Nola.com, a spokesperson for the mayor said the city’s legal office would consider the matter but the spokesperson pointed out that the travel policy doesn’t place timeline on when an employee must repay the city for travel expenses that are deemed unnecessary. The mayor or her administration has not stated if or when the mayor plans to pay for the first-class accommodations she chose.
On the Newell Normand Show on Tuesday, Normand said the mayor has had many opportunities to answer that simple question. It is a failure to be transparent Normand opined.
“This is what you call stupid is, as stupid does. Instead of being transparent with multiple opportunities that she’s had with media to reveal what she has actually charged in a proactive way, she sits back and says nothing. Do you feel abused yet? There’s a long standing travel policy that directs the employee to pay the difference in price when the opt for seats in any section other than coach according to the (Nola.com) article. This is a typical…rules for thee but not for me ” said Normand.
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The former sheriff of Jefferson Parish is skeptical of Cantrell’s security concerns while flying coach.
“She’s yet to articulate how she’s safer in first-class or business class than coach/steerage in the back of the airplane. And I’m really waiting to see how exotic this explanation is going to get. I doubt very seriously any deeper into this because that is one of the most idiotic statements in my life. Does anyone feel abused yet?” Normand said.
Regarding Cantrell’s inability or reluctance to articulate why higher priced hotel and flight tickets were chosen, Normand believes Cantrell’s lack of transparency is also a lack of respect for the citizens of the city.
“That’s code for you, the electorate, the minions, you must be stupid. You don’t realize, you know, they’re out there beating the bushes trying to find the best deals. It just so happens that we end up in a hotel that is $726/night. You must be stupid,” said Normand.
In Normand’s view, the mayor is exempting herself from policies and rules that apply to other public employees in the City of New Orleans. After requests from multiple media outlets, Cantrell issued the following statement:
"My travel accommodations are a matter of safety, not of luxury. As all women know, our health and safety are often disregarded, and we are left to navigate alone. As the mother of a young child whom I live for, I am going to protect myself by any reasonable means in order to ensure I am there to see her grow into the strong woman I am raising her to be. Anyone who wants to question how I protect myself just doesn't understand the world Black women walk in."
In her statement, the mayor makes no mention of repayment for her upgraded air travels. Cantrell is the target of a recall petition filed last week. Many citizens have voiced concerns and outrage over her handling of issues such as crime, police retention and city services.
Listen to Normand’s full take on the travel controversy: