LaToya Cantrell's travel expenses: $250,000; more than 1 in 5 days spent outside city

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Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s travel has cost New Orleans taxpayers more than $250,000 since the start of 2023, a stretch of time in which the mayor has spent more than one in five days outside of the city, according to expense records and official schedules.

The expenses for more than 20 trips in the U.S. and overseas include hotel rooms, flights, car services, food and drink and other incidentals for Cantrell and the staffers that accompany her, including New Orleans police officers who serve as the mayor’s bodyguards.

Outside groups sponsoring Cantrell's attendance at conferences have pitched in another $100,000 for expenses. The mayor’s travel costs are often partially or completely covered by sponsors, but those of her entourage generally aren’t.

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The $250,000 in expenses billed to city taxpayers were tallied by The Times-Picayune using documents obtained through public records requests. They were paid out of the city’s general fund. The cost of her trips, which have drawn scrutiny for their frequency, hasn’t before been made public.

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