FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 31, 2019
City Council to Introduce Resolution Condemning Abortion Ban
Councilmember Jason Williams (left)
Councilmember Helena Moreno (right)
NEW ORLEANS -  New Orleans City Councilmembers-at-Large Jason Williams and Helena Moreno will introduce a resolution at the next regular meeting on Thursday, June 6, 2019, condemning the State's recent passage of an anti-abortion law. Earlier this month, Louisiana State Legislators voted 79 to 23 to pass one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the country. 

This legislation was signed yesterday by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. This ban will prevent abortion access earlier than most women know they are pregnant and outlaws the procedure even in cases of rape and incest. In a state with some of the highest levels of maternal mortality in the country, further restricting access to healthcare through this ban is dangerous and potentially deadly.

Council Vice President Jason Williams says, "Restricting abortion access for Louisiana is dangerous and unjust. This latest ban is part of a nationwide war being waged against reproductive rights. I am deeply disappointed by the decisions our state officials are making that could have long-lasting negative impacts on the health of our city and our state. I trust women and follow their lead as we all say together, Keep abortion safe and legal, stop the bans."

Council President Helena Moreno says, "This dangerous abortion ban will not prevent abortion, but it will trample on women's rights, their agency, and their health care. We do have to prevent unplanned pregnancies - through comprehensive sex education and broad access to birth control, not a heartless ban that doesn't even provide any exceptions for rape or incest."

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Media Contact:
Katie Hunter-Lowrey
Councilmember Jason Rogers Williams, At-Large
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New Orleans City Council 
The New Orleans City Council is the legislative branch of New Orleans city government. The Council considers and enacts all local laws that govern the City of New Orleans. The Council also approves the operating and capital budgets for the City, as recommended by the mayor, and continually monitors revenues and expenditures for local government operations. The City Council is also the regulatory body for public utilities. It also reviews and has final say on many land use and zoning matters, as well as considers major economic development projects for the City. As a Board of Review for Orleans Parish, the Council examines appeals of property tax assessments for real estate taxes, and certifies tax rolls to the Louisiana Tax Commission. Other responsibilities of the Council include overseeing the operation of the public access television in Orleans Parish. Streaming video and video archives of the City Council's Regular and Committee meetings can be found on the City Council website.

The City Council is comprised of five districts and two Councilmembers-at-large. Council President and Councilmember-at-Large Jason R. Williams; Council Vice President and Councilmember-at-Large Helena Moreno; District "A" Councilmember Joseph I. Giarrusso; District "B" Councilmember Jay H. Banks; District "C" Councilmember Kristin Gisleson Palmer; District "D" Councilmember Jared C. Brossett; and District "E" Councilmember Cyndi Nguyen.