Commentary

N.O. Drops Water Privatization Plans

After five years of study New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin today announced the city’s decision to drop water and sewer privatization plans. This battle was especially contentious, and this move will no doubt be heralded as a victory of anti-privatization groups, including Public Citizen. However, I wonder if it is more appropriate to call them pro-tax and fee hike considering the city will now be faced with over $650 million bill to fix the pipes. Something tells me that this isn’t the last we’ll hear from New Orleans.