re: New Orleans dilettante Mayor proposes $850 per float fee on parades...

I predicted this slippery slope when they proposed the $25/rider fee in the spring. If you think they will stop at $850/float with a shortfall of almost $3 million then you don't know politicians.
And those that are predicting there will be exemptions are spot on! Zulu, Oshun, Femme Fatale, and Mars already have exemptions and/or violate some ordinance which they are never cited for.
But here's the rub; the Captains (or equivalent) of these Krewes make their living or a good part of it doing this so they will pass whatever costs that are imposed onto their members.

Separate but related, the precedent set during last year's Mardi Gras of 2 floats being pulled off the route for bullshite reasons has sent shockwaves throughout the organizations and the Captains are deathly afraid of losing their parade permits. It was done to Nyx (love them or hate them) so anyone rocking the boat is subject to same treatment. Their backbones are MIA. They will take it up the arse until the cows come home to protect those permits and we will continue to see Mardi Gras devolve into something unrecognizable in the future.

Want to raise income? How about going after all those churches and businesses (30%) that have tax exemptions? Or how about a robust sales tax auditing department like Jefferson Parish? In 2024 Orleans audited 24 businesses compared to Jefferson Parish's 300. Just 2 examples of ways to increase revenue but no, let's go after the low hanging fruit and punish those that give the most.
I've been riding for almost 30 years and loved going to our meetings and riding without having to wonder if someone on our float is going to get us all kicked off. Now the meetings are nothing but the Captain standing at the podium warning us of potential violations and the repercussions and every year another throw is disallowed for one reason or another. Soon we will be throwing nothing but plushies and tshirts.