Blanco- backed consolidation bills pass

NOLA.com/ Times-Picayune:

N.O. merger bills get final passage. Bills to consolidate New Orleans' assessors offices and city court systems received final passage Wednesday as the Senate voted to go along with House changes.

A proposed consitutional amendment to consolidate the city's seven assessors into one will go to a vote of the people Nov. 7. The measure must pass both statewide and in Orleans Parish.

Both bills were strongly backed by Gov. Kathleen Blanco as part of a legislative package to streamline New Orleans government.

The assessors merger, Senate Bill 141 by Sen. Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans, faced strong opposition going into the session.