The state bond commission Thursday voted to approve a $39 million line of credit for the New Orleans Sewerage & Water Board. It will help fund construction of an electric substation to power the city's pumps.
The vote was 11-1. The Advocate reports the only vote against was cast by a representative of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry. It was Landry who held up the vote twice before, in response to the New Orleans City Council, mayor, district attorney, and sheriff saying they would not enforce Louisiana's abortion ban.
An attorney for the city told the commission that does not mean the city would ignore the law. The city council's resolution called on the city, its police department, the sheriff's office and the district attorney's office not to dedicate city funds to the storing or cataloging of any report of an abortion, miscarriage, or other act of reproductive health care, nor to provide any information to any other governmental body about same.
It also asked that law enforcement agencies give the lowest priority to allegations or charges of abortion unless it is evidence of another crime, for example, if a woman is coerced or forced into getting a procedure she doesn't want, or if criminally negligent conduct is involved in the health of a pregnant person seeking care.
New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell and City Council President Helena Moreno praised the bond commission for today's vote.
"We are thankful for the Bond Commission putting the needs of the people first and no longer withholding resources related to improving New Orleans’ aging infrastructure," said Cantrell.
"The reckless politicization of this process was improper and risked the safety of our city," said Moreno. "Thankfully, this funding is moving forward, and the attempts to derail this essential project failed."
