New Orleans City Council President JP Morrell slammed Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s apparent decision to violate a new ordinance banning city-funded travel as “illegal,” arguing it is “beyond the pale” given her push to withhold funding for city schools based on an alleged fiscal crisis facing New Orleans.

City Council president JP Morrell expressed his "dismay and extreme concern" Monday about Mayor LaToya Cantrell's trip to attend a conference in Washington, D.C. Why it matters: The trip is the first test of the council's ordinance that temporarily bans non-essential travel for city employees.

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell faces criticism from City Council for traveling to Washington, D.C., despite a recent ban on non-essential travel amid financial concerns.

While in Washington, Cantrell will participate in community engagement efforts to support a program for future youth leaders.

Days after the New Orleans City Council passed a law barring Mayor LaToya Cantrell from traveling on taxpayers' dime, Cantrell has traveled to Washington, D.C. for a national mayors' conference.

Louisiana Board of Regents to study whether UNO should move to LSU board oversight

New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s office announced Sunday afternoon that the mayor is traveling to Washington, DC to take part in the Yale Mayors College Conference. The president of the city council says the trip is “unlawful.