While New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell insists the city can't afford to pay the school system the money from a tax collection settlement, the New Orleans City Council allocated funds anyway.
A news release says, "The Council amended the City’s 2025 operating budget to allocate unassigned fund balance for a second payment to the Orleans Parish School Board."
Under the legislation, the council adjusted both the revenue and expenditure budgets to send a second $10 million payment to the school system.
"The Council reaffirmed its ongoing commitment to investing in youth by prioritizing resources that support schools and programs aimed at improving long-term outcomes for young people across the city."
This is a second $10 million payment.
The Cantrell administration responded, saying the council "acted beyond its legal authority."
The mayor's office added, "The Administration will be reviewing the new ordinances closely, in consultation with legal counsel, and will keep all options on the table."
This could lead to more court battles between the council and the mayor.
The fight is over a $90 million dollar settlement Cantrell backed out of, but the council said they city has to pay.
It has lead to the council trying to limit Cantrell's spending on other things like travel and alcohol; saying of the city is broke, she shouldn't be spending unnecessary funds.
