Dem mayor refuses to pay back taxpayer money she used on upgraded travel, says critics do not...

Despite apparently running afoul of city policies, Cantrell said last Thursday that she will not pay back the roughly $29,000 of taxpayer money that she used to upgrade to first-class or business-class airfare on official trips since January 2021. City policy, on the other hand, requires that municipal employees "purchase the lowest airfare available."

"Employees are required to purchase the lowest airfare available," the policy states, according to WWL. "Employees who choose an upgrade from coach, economy, or business class flights are solely responsible for the difference in cost."