New Orleans, LA – February 18, 2009 – Council President Jacquelyn Brechtel Clarkson issued the following statement regarding the City’s professional services contracting process addressed at the Mayor’s public hearing today:
“At a public hearing this afternoon, Mayor Nagin outlined an executive order to suspend panel review of professional services contracts. I am strongly opposed to this executive order, which will have the effect of further excluding the public from a process that is already in need of greater transparency and accountability.
”To paraphrase one comment from today’s public hearing, the money that fuels city government does not belong to the Mayor. It does not belong to the City Council. It belongs to the people, and they have every right to see how it is spent.
”On February 5, the Council voted unanimously to approve an ordinance that would open the professional services contracting process to greater public scrutiny. The Mayor vetoed this ordinance, saying it was an attempt by the legislative branch to take power from the executive branch. In fact, this legislation is an attempt to give greater power to the people. And I fully intend to vote to override the Mayor’s veto at tomorrow’s Council meeting to see that a more public process is etched into City law.
The public support for greater openness in the professional services contracting process today was overwhelming. In light of this, I urge the Mayor to consider rescinding his executive order, reinstate the selection review panel, and comply with the Council’s ordinance.”
