NEW ORLEANS — Attorney General Jeff Landry is asking the State Treasurer and bond commission members to delay any application and funding for New Orleans until city officials say they will enforce state laws.
The New Orleans City Council, Mayor Latoya Cantrell, Police Chief, District Attorney, and Sheriff have all said they will not to enforce Louisiana’s abortion laws.
“As Attorney General and member of the Bond Commission, it is my belief that a parish or municipality should not benefit from the hard-working taxpayers of this State while ignoring laws validly enacted by the people through their representatives,” said Attorney General Landry. “In light of the City’s open defiance of the will of the people of Louisiana, I urge the Bond Commission to defer any applications for the City of New Orleans, Orleans Parish, and any local governmental entity or political subdivision under its purview. In addition, any other funding that will directly benefit the City of New Orleans should also be paused until such time as the Council, Mayor, Chief of Police, Sheriff, and District Attorney have met with and affirmed that they will comply with and enforce the laws of this State and cooperate with any State officials who may be called upon to enforce them.”
Cantrell said she wasn't surprised by Landry's request.
"It's unfortunate," she said at a Tuesday groundbreaking in Hollygrove. "I won't be baited into politics, but I will stand for women. It only makes me have to focus and double down to ensure that the women of this city are in a safe haven and protected."
Landry said law enforcement in New Orleans is under obligation to enforce the laws.
“The officials in New Orleans took an oath of office to support and enforce the laws of our State, yet they appear to have decided that some laws are not worthy of enforcement,” added Attorney General Landry. “Nothing in the statutes, the City Charter, or the State Constitution permits these officials to blatantly ignore State law, conspire not to enforce it, and violate their oaths of office in this manner. In fact, our State Constitution prohibits this very conduct.
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