Vote No on Amendment 1: Stop the State Power Grab

Friends,

There is a critical item on the November 13 ballot that has not gotten much attention yet - Constitutional Amendment #1. I am writing to urge you to vote NO on this measure, for reasons I explain below.

Constitutional Amendment #1 would have a drastic impact on our city's financial stability. In 2019, we fought tooth and nail to get New Orleans its fair share of local tax dollars, and just two years later, politicians at the state capitol are trying to take it away. 

The constitutional change would create a commission of eight politicians with the power to collect sales tax dollars for local communities across Louisiana. We have seen time and time again how state-level commissions like to withhold crucial funding for New Orleans when they do not get their way. This fall, the Louisiana State Bond Commission stalled funding for New Orleans hospitals and schools over my COVID-19 safety measures. 

The bottom line is this: Constitutional Amendment #1 is a political solution to a technical problem. The way the State collects and remits online sales doesn’t require a change to the constitution, it requires better technology.  

We cannot afford to let politicians who have no ties to New Orleans make decisions that affect our future without our input or guidance. 

More than 30% of our city's operating budget is in sales taxes, including all the dollars generated by tourists. This state power grab would jeopardize the progress we are making on infrastructure, violent crime, and affordable housing. New Orleans would likely be forced to scale back crucial programs across the board if this constitutional amendment passes.  

Together we have worked hard to put our city on a path to financial stability these past few years. To continue that progress, we have to stop this state power grab. I urge you to vote no on Constitutional Amendment 1 on November 13. 

Let’s keep New Orleans in control of her own destiny. 

Sincerely,
Mayor LaToya Cantrell