Despite opposition from the New Orleans Mayor's office, a bill to give the New Orleans City Council more oversight of the Sewerage & Water Board is progressing through the Louisiana Legislature. One of it's lead sponsors joined WWL's Tommy Tucker this morning.
"The thing that perpetually plagues people in the city of New Orleans is the billing," said Republican lawmaker Stephanie Hilferty.
Hilferty's bill would give the council regulatory authority over the billing, including coming up with a process to resolve billing disputes. Hilferty says that is a process the council would devise on its own, with public input, should the bill become law.
The bill also lets the council bring water officials in for hearings.
"And request reports that they see necessary to understand the function and operations of Sewerage & Water Board," Hilferty explained.
The bill has passed the house and is pending in the Senate.
