The New Orleans City Council meets today, for the first time since Mayor LaToya Cantrell jetted off to Washington, DC for the Yale Mayors College Conference -- despite a council-passed ban on city officials traveling.
New Orleans City Council President J.P. Morrell says he is waiting to hear from the Chief Administrative Officer and Chief Financial Officer on how much this trip cost taxpayers, and who went with the mayor.
"We're looking to get that information," Morrell said, "and then we'll take the next step from there."
He said that next step could include extending the travel ban beyond its current expiration next month.
"When you see someone who is already breaking the rules, you realize that this is probably going to be a more long-term process," said Morrell.
The mayor's office said the city "will not incur a cost for the mayor's participation and attendance" at the conference, but Morrell said he still wants details.
The ban was passed when Mayor Cantrell backed out of an agreement to pay millions of dollars in a settlement with Orleans Parish Public Schools, claiming the city could not afford it.
