New Orleans budget woes may lead to police, fire pay cuts

NEW ORLEANS (WGNO) — The New Orleans Chief Administrative Officer spoke with members of the council today, telling them that the city’s cash-flow is much worse than previously thought.

In addition to the $160 million budget deficit, Mayor-Elect Helena Moreno and Councilman Joe Giarrusso say they learned of this stunning development early Tuesday during a phone call with chief administrative officer Joe threat.

“Council Member Marino asked for a telephone call between myself and Joe Threat knowing there was budget issues and in the course of that phone call. Council Member Marino and I learned, hey, there are some cash flow issues now, and they have to be addressed immediately,” Giarrusso said.

Giarrusso and Moreno are now calling on the Cantrell administration to explain to the council and the public why this is just coming to light.

“I think there’s really two issues. Number one is a question you’re asking: how did we get here, and what was the result of this; and I think we need to understand that; so we avoid it for the future.” Giarrussao said.

City departments including the New Orleans Police Department and Fire Department could go without paychecks.

with the NOPD already facing a manpower shortage, Metropolitan Crime Commission President Rafael Goyeneche calls this a potential public safety crisis.

“You want to see how quickly things can take a turn for the worst? You basically defund the police department, defund the fire department, and you defund emergency services and watch chaos unfold,” Goyeneche said.

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