The Landry "task force" sounds like they want the state to take over the SWB and then turn it over to a private operator. Sort of the same process that moved us from public schools, to RSD, and then to the charterization mess we have now.
The proposed recovery district, to be controlled by a board composed of a majority of state appointees, would govern the agency for two years, according to the panel's recommendations. It could then cede control of the utility, renamed the “New Orleans Sewerage, Water and Drainage Board” to the City Council or the Public Service Commission. A third option would be to constitute the utility into a new municipal corporation modeled after one in Louisville, Kentucky.
In the meantime, there's plenty opportunity for a state appointed water czar to loot as much as possible. I wonder who will be our Paul Vallas of water?
Also of note, this week we had expected to see SWB's own "State of the Utility" report the mayor had decided to take on as a counterpoint to the task force. Guess she flaked on that.
From today's S&WB board meeting: "State of Utility" from @SWBNewOrleans, suggested by Mayor Cantrell as a rebuttal to Governor's task force on S&WB reform, pushed back to middle of the year.
— Matt McBride (@Matthew67052126) March 27, 2024
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