NEW ORLEANS – Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued the following statement regarding the school building millage on the Dec. 6 ballot:
“On Dec. 6, I’m voting yes for our schools. Following Hurricane Katrina, we secured $1.8 billion to rebuild our schools. These new and renovated buildings are worthy of our children’s great promise.
“But there’s a problem. Right now, there’s no money to maintain these buildings. That means our schools will fall into disrepair over time, just like they did before Katrina.
“The good news is there’s a solution. We can extend and repurpose an existing millage for school maintenance. This ballot measure solves the problem without raising taxes or taking money away from the classroom. By voting yes, we ensure our students have a safe and secure place to learn for generations to come.
“I’m proud to stand in support of this measure with the Urban League of Greater New Orleans, The New Orleans Business Council, the Bureau of Governmental Research, The Times-Picayune, The Advocate, Gambit, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, and many others.”
Others organizations that have endorsed the school facilities tax are: the Louisiana Association of Public Charter Schools, Eastbank Collaborative of Public Charter Schools, Educate Now!, Stand for Children, Black Alliance for Educational Options (BAEO) and Puentes New Orleans.
