Runoffs and Orleans Parish Propositions
Propositions
TL;DR: Defunding the library (Proposition 2) is required in order to make financing Proposition 1 & 3 possible. Otherwise these propositions will raise taxes despite the lack of a spending plan or evaluation metrics. We’re recommending a NO vote on ALL 3.
Orleans Parish wants to change the current distribution of millages that are expiring December 31, 2021. In order to maintain the current millage, some line items will be decreased so that the net impact of the changes is 0. The vote on each proposition (1 through 3) is for approval to make a change on a program by program (or line by line) basis. Proposition 2 is required to be defunded in order to move funds into Propositions 1 and 3. Each change will last 20 years.
Proposition 1 combines Traffic Control & Capital Improvements into one budget line and will slightly increase its funding. Normally we’d be on board but the City has not provided a spending summary on how it will be divided up between roads, bridges, drainage, vehicles, etc. So we’re recommending No.
Proposition 2 will defund the NOLA Public Library System, which is a non-starter. We emphatically recommend NO on Prop 2. Visit Save Your Nola Library to learn more.
Proposition 3 will create an “Economic Development” fund using money diverted from the Library. Limited details about its goals, metrics, execution, or management are available so we recommend No .
The wave of electing progressive district attorneys across the country shouldn’t stop in New Orleans. Fortunately we’ve seen both of these candidates in action as elected officials: Williams on the City Council and Landrum as a Judge and interm-DA. Landrum’s record as acting DA and Judge is troublesome and a principle reason why we are supporting Jason Williams.
While Landrum was acting as the interm-DA, in contrast to her predecessors who often treated all marijuana offenses as misdemeanors, she reversed the office’s policies in order to increase felony convictions [1]. Landrum failed to prosecute police brutality against black men [2] and could not recall providing Brady training (regarding withholding evidence that would have shown a defendant’s innocence) to the staff while she was DA [3]. This is important as it was a fact presented in the case of Robert Jones, who was wrongfully convicted and served over 23 years in prison for crimes he did not commit, as a result of repeated violations under Brady v. Maryland, 373 U.S. 83 (1963), by the Orleans Parish District Attorney’s Office. It was alleged that OPDA suppressed information that not only demonstrated Mr. Jones’s innocence but also pointed convincingly to another man’s guilt. [3]
As a Judge, Landrum signed off on two material witness warrants that could have allowed victims of violent crimes to be jailed [4]; whereas Jason Williams on the city council sponsored and passed a resolution to ban the use of material witness warrants, the practice of jailing victims of domestic and sexual violence [5].
Public Service Commissioner, District 1
TL;DR: Skrmetta ended COVID utility disconnection protections; doesn’t support renewable energy; and his campaign is funded by utility companies and PACs. Vote Allen Borne.
Allen Borne is our choice for PSC, District 1. Eric Skrmetta needs to lose based on his policy decisions as our acting PSC. We have listed a few of his stances below:
He has doubled down his position and support of the existing rates for prison telephone charges.[1] In fact, this year he has taken $5,000 in campaign contributions from Jerry Juneau, President of CityTele Coin, a prison telephone company.
Juneau’s company City Tele Coin violated PSC rules that bar prison telephone companies from charging extra fees. In the April 2014 PSC meeting, Skrmetta wanted to adjourn the public meeting and discuss settling the case as a PSC in an “executive session” when the normal process is for an administrative law judge to rule on the case. [2] Fun fact: In December 2013, Skrmetta received $5,000 in contributions from J&R JUNEAU LLC (Jerry Juneau) and $5,000 from his wife Rosalyn Juneau. [3] Juneau also hosted a fundraiser for him at the Boisser City office of City Tele Coin. [4]
Skrmetta agreed to end COVID utility disconnection protections as soon as the state left Phase 2 in July 2020. [5]
Skrmetta has led the charge to limit solar net-metering and September 2019, he voted with the majority of PSC commissioners to end one-for-one net-metering credits for all future solar customers. Thus reducing consumer’s financial incentive to invest in green energy. [6]
Eric Skrmetta Campaign Finance Contributions
French Quarter Sales and Use Tax
TL;DR: This will renew the sales tax another 5 years to pay for increased police presence in the French Quarter. More policing doesn’t equal less crime. We’re voting No.
December Constitutional Amendment One
TL;DR: A yes vote would allow someone from out of state to be on the board of a public university. There is not a restriction that the out of state member must have previously attended a Louisiana public university.
We’re leaning No on this proposed Amendment. We recognize that talent and expertise are not restricted by lines on a map. However due to the nature of these appointments, talented individuals in-state may be overlooked if they are not of the same socioeconomic status as out-of-state contenders for the position. Additionally in-state candidates would more readily be able to see and potentially experience the impact of their decisions.
Juvenile Court Judge
Section A
TL;DR: Clint Smith’s trauma informed approach to decision making.
Juvenile Court Section A: Clint Smith wants to make the courtroom a place of intervention instead of incarceration and eliminate unnecessary fees to reduce the burden on parents. We appreciate his desire to #treatkidslikekids and recommend him over Guillory who is a former prosecutor.
Section F
TL;DR: Darensburg's social work background and efforts to reduce discretionary funds.
Juvenile Court Section F: We are still bummed Tenee Felix didn't make the runoff as she was the best choice in our opinion. Darensburg has worked to end discretionary funds and appears to be more aligned with our goals than Roberts. So we're choosing him for the Dec election.
Civil Court, Division I
TL;DR: Lori Jupiter is a yoga instructor and a doula. Having someone with that level of zen and empathy would be a welcome relief to all that enter her courtroom.
Jupiter’s opponent withdrew from the race November 12. We didn’t see this race listed on our sample ballot but it might be listed on the early voting machine ballot.
Criminal Court, Section K
TL;DR:
References and News Links
Propositions - Expiring Millage and Library Funding
https://assets.documentcloud.org/documents/7039800/ExpiringMillages-Final-8-18-20.pdf
https://www.bgr.org/wp-content/uploads/BGR_Ballot_CityMillagesInBrief.pdf
District Attorney
[1] https://reason.com/2008/07/24/new-orleans-da-fights-murder-b/
[3] https://www.innocenceproject.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/Robert-Jones-complaint-.pdf
[5] https://council.nola.gov/news/february-2019/council-president-releases-statement-on-practices/
https://theappeal.org/politicalreport/new-orleans-district-attorney-runoff/
Public Service Commissioner
[1] https://www.facebook.com/EricSkrmetta/posts/3662676963756814
[2]https://www.nola.com/news/politics/article_c3aa66d4-8f87-53c8-8946-423eeaab9cf1.html
[4] https://www.fox8live.com/2018/08/28/lee-zurik-investigation-are-utilities-real-power-behind-psc/
[5] http://lpsc.la.gov/_docs/_Orders/43-2020.pdf
French Quarter Economic Development District Sales Tax
FRENCH QUARTER ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT DISTRICT RESOLUTION
Juvenile Court