Candidate Survey
Legislative Session 2022 Updates and Advocacy
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Bart Everson
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
ITEP should not be expanded. Earlier this year, I opposed Louisiana HB 370/462, a Constitutional Amendment which would have extended ITEP to many more businesses thereby increasing property taxes for homeowners and renters and reducing funding for education, public health and safety, and infrastructure. It was, thankfully, defeated.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
A multi-pronged approach to community engagement is needed, with a mix of town hall meetings, council hearings with testimony from local community organizers, online surveys, and a transparent process at every step. My priorities would center around recognition that the COVID pandemic is a dress rehearsal for the disruptions to come as the climate crisis deepens. We must invest in true community sustainability and resilience, not just buzzwords.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
I favor a model for participatory budgeting such as is practiced in Brazil. There was an effort to build support for such processes and procedures here after Katrina. It is needed now more than ever.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
As someone who works in education and is surrounded by educators, I feel the urgency of this need in my bones. It is a matter of priority. I believe we can be more frugal in some areas in order to invest in others more fully. Let’s move to one-weekly trash pickup (with expanded recycling and composting programs) and invest the net savings in early education.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
Youth engagement is of paramount importance in addressing the climate crisis, as the young people of today have the deepest interest in our future — they will see more of it than older folks like me! We must invest in education and opportunities, lower the voting age, protect the environment, tackle the housing crisis, and build a strong decarbonized economy, with youth involved at every step of the way.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
The City Council has the authority to enforce this. Simply put, the council has to flex its muscle. Even before Ida, I’d identified this as the single most urgent priority for local action on the climate crisis: hold Entergy accountable. Please see my complete policy priority: https://barteverson.com/policy/hold-entergy-accountable/
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I’m impressed by the success of small-scale community groups like Jane Place Sustainability Initiative, which created the City’s first “permanently affordable” apartments just a few years ago. We need to promote this sort of model by fostering community land trusts and worker-led cooperatives.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
ITEP should not be expanded. Earlier this year, I opposed Louisiana HB 370/462, a Constitutional Amendment which would have extended ITEP to many more businesses thereby increasing property taxes for homeowners and renters and reducing funding for education, public health and safety, and infrastructure. It was, thankfully, defeated.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
A multi-pronged approach to community engagement is needed, with a mix of town hall meetings, council hearings with testimony from local community organizers, online surveys, and a transparent process at every step. My priorities would center around recognition that the COVID pandemic is a dress rehearsal for the disruptions to come as the climate crisis deepens. We must invest in true community sustainability and resilience, not just buzzwords.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
I favor a model for participatory budgeting such as is practiced in Brazil. There was an effort to build support for such processes and procedures here after Katrina. It is needed now more than ever.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
As someone who works in education and is surrounded by educators, I feel the urgency of this need in my bones. It is a matter of priority. I believe we can be more frugal in some areas in order to invest in others more fully. Let’s move to one-weekly trash pickup (with expanded recycling and composting programs) and invest the net savings in early education.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
Youth engagement is of paramount importance in addressing the climate crisis, as the young people of today have the deepest interest in our future — they will see more of it than older folks like me! We must invest in education and opportunities, lower the voting age, protect the environment, tackle the housing crisis, and build a strong decarbonized economy, with youth involved at every step of the way.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
The City Council has the authority to enforce this. Simply put, the council has to flex its muscle. Even before Ida, I’d identified this as the single most urgent priority for local action on the climate crisis: hold Entergy accountable. Please see my complete policy priority: https://barteverson.com/policy/hold-entergy-accountable/
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I’m impressed by the success of small-scale community groups like Jane Place Sustainability Initiative, which created the City’s first “permanently affordable” apartments just a few years ago. We need to promote this sort of model by fostering community land trusts and worker-led cooperatives.
Kristin Gisleson Palmer
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
I have concerns about number 7 because I'm not sure the legality of it.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
We must have a more robust budget committee process. We should be having listening sessions in community centers and ensure accessibility. Just as important as crafting the budget is a continual process of monitoring how the money is being spent. As the next At-Large I want to be the chair of the Budget Committee and highlight more monthly meetings. We passed the $15 minimum wage and need to make sure people are paid livable wages. Public facing departments that respond to continents need to be fully funded and fully staffed to ensure economic recovery. We have a unique ability to try things that are sustainable such as CAHOOTS. We can be more sustainable with our police department and focus on alternatives to policing wherever possible. Also, we should focus on decriminalization of our youth and put more resources into programs like the early reporting center that keep our young people away from incarceration. Similarly, NORD facility investment is absolutely vital.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
The hallmark of all my service has been in partnership with the community. I’ve engaged the neighborhood associations, churches, nonprofits, and advocates. I’ve made myself accessible. I have bi-monthly meetings in neighborhood businesses. All this underscores why we need someone with district council experience in the at-large seat. We have practical experience with engaging neighborhoods. As I said before, I am committed to a more robust Budget Committee process. The City budget is the people’s budget. It has to reflect our values.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I am in support of putting a ballot initiative forward that would support early childhood investment. I am a firm believer in universal pre-k. As a community we cannot move forward unless we have high quality early childhood education. The most important years for a child are 0-3. As a mother and someone who started a nonprofit to rebuild our parks and playgrounds I understand the need for this, especially seeing play as an integral part of early childhood development. I will also continue to advocate to ensure that the Federal Child Tax Credit becomes permanent.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
Investing in our children has always been a major priority for me. As founder of Confetti Kids, I ensured the children of my community had safe places to play and express themselves. As I mentioned previously, I am in favor of a ballot measure that would lock in funding for early childhood care. This gives our kids greater opportunity. I also firmly believe in investments that keep the children of New Orleans out of the criminal legal system.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
First, I'm opposed to any rate increase from Entergy and will always put the needs of the ratepayer first. I do not sit on the Utilities Committee, but I am committed to getting on the committee so we can make real changes. Expansion of Energy Smart and incentives for battery storage, solar, and renewable energy will accomplish lower power bills for our people. I will also stop Entergy’s practice of relying on overpaid out-of-state consultants. We can expand the staffing at the Council Utility Regulatory Office. Entergy has a responsibility to spend ratepayer dollars responsibly and efficiently.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
We need to increase housing production. Lack of housing availability leads to unaffordability which can ultimately lead to homelessness. We can do this through aggressively addressing blight. Fines (I have worked with the state legislature to increase fines) and increasing staffing at Code Enforcement, Safety and Permits, and City Planning Commission. We also need streamlining and investment in the expropriation process. We have to incentivize the development of more units. I have initiated the CPC to start the process of incentivizing developments of 1 to 9 units . This will allow for more small scale developments which would fit better in historic fabric as well as encouraging entry level into the marketplace of small minority developers. I have started process of CPC to redo zoning to incentivize small lots for redevelopment and redo the Resubdivision process. I have initiated CPC to redo guidelines to incentivize the development of Accessory Dwelling Units. My first year as At-Large I will create a vacant property/lot parcel fee. We need to incentivize putting properties back into commerce. Housing is economic development. It creates construction jobs which have excellent pay as well as creating wealth and equity in families. New Orleans lost 10 percentage points of Black homeownership after Katrina. We need to be focused on production of houses for our Black residents. In addition, if we have availability of housing and a diverse housing stock it will attract more residents/businesses to this city.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
I have concerns about number 7 because I'm not sure the legality of it.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
We must have a more robust budget committee process. We should be having listening sessions in community centers and ensure accessibility. Just as important as crafting the budget is a continual process of monitoring how the money is being spent. As the next At-Large I want to be the chair of the Budget Committee and highlight more monthly meetings. We passed the $15 minimum wage and need to make sure people are paid livable wages. Public facing departments that respond to continents need to be fully funded and fully staffed to ensure economic recovery. We have a unique ability to try things that are sustainable such as CAHOOTS. We can be more sustainable with our police department and focus on alternatives to policing wherever possible. Also, we should focus on decriminalization of our youth and put more resources into programs like the early reporting center that keep our young people away from incarceration. Similarly, NORD facility investment is absolutely vital.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
The hallmark of all my service has been in partnership with the community. I’ve engaged the neighborhood associations, churches, nonprofits, and advocates. I’ve made myself accessible. I have bi-monthly meetings in neighborhood businesses. All this underscores why we need someone with district council experience in the at-large seat. We have practical experience with engaging neighborhoods. As I said before, I am committed to a more robust Budget Committee process. The City budget is the people’s budget. It has to reflect our values.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I am in support of putting a ballot initiative forward that would support early childhood investment. I am a firm believer in universal pre-k. As a community we cannot move forward unless we have high quality early childhood education. The most important years for a child are 0-3. As a mother and someone who started a nonprofit to rebuild our parks and playgrounds I understand the need for this, especially seeing play as an integral part of early childhood development. I will also continue to advocate to ensure that the Federal Child Tax Credit becomes permanent.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
Investing in our children has always been a major priority for me. As founder of Confetti Kids, I ensured the children of my community had safe places to play and express themselves. As I mentioned previously, I am in favor of a ballot measure that would lock in funding for early childhood care. This gives our kids greater opportunity. I also firmly believe in investments that keep the children of New Orleans out of the criminal legal system.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
First, I'm opposed to any rate increase from Entergy and will always put the needs of the ratepayer first. I do not sit on the Utilities Committee, but I am committed to getting on the committee so we can make real changes. Expansion of Energy Smart and incentives for battery storage, solar, and renewable energy will accomplish lower power bills for our people. I will also stop Entergy’s practice of relying on overpaid out-of-state consultants. We can expand the staffing at the Council Utility Regulatory Office. Entergy has a responsibility to spend ratepayer dollars responsibly and efficiently.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
We need to increase housing production. Lack of housing availability leads to unaffordability which can ultimately lead to homelessness. We can do this through aggressively addressing blight. Fines (I have worked with the state legislature to increase fines) and increasing staffing at Code Enforcement, Safety and Permits, and City Planning Commission. We also need streamlining and investment in the expropriation process. We have to incentivize the development of more units. I have initiated the CPC to start the process of incentivizing developments of 1 to 9 units . This will allow for more small scale developments which would fit better in historic fabric as well as encouraging entry level into the marketplace of small minority developers. I have started process of CPC to redo zoning to incentivize small lots for redevelopment and redo the Resubdivision process. I have initiated CPC to redo guidelines to incentivize the development of Accessory Dwelling Units. My first year as At-Large I will create a vacant property/lot parcel fee. We need to incentivize putting properties back into commerce. Housing is economic development. It creates construction jobs which have excellent pay as well as creating wealth and equity in families. New Orleans lost 10 percentage points of Black homeownership after Katrina. We need to be focused on production of houses for our Black residents. In addition, if we have availability of housing and a diverse housing stock it will attract more residents/businesses to this city.
Bob Murrell
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
I will not vote on a budget that increases NOPD or OPSO's share of the budget.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I will introduce a participatory budget that allows voters the ability to give input & vote on allocations. I do not support the use of ARP to fund police (which current council & Pres Biden have floated that idea around). My priorities are fully funded public health & first responders, sanitation, and rent forgiveness/assistance.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
A participatory budget process will empower our communities to dictate their priorities in a democratic fashion. CitizenLab, for example, has a great product & team that has implemented PB in cities across the world, and has great examples of how communities were engaged that may not have equitable access to technology or internet. By giving the people direct control of their dollars, we can move closer towards a true People's Budget.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I was against the millages in 2020 because they defunded the library by 40%. During that campaign, I learned a lot about the City Seats program, the importance of fully-funded early childhood development, and the layers of non-profits that are attempting to fill in that void. As the parent of a lively three-year-old while working at home during the duration of the pandemic, I have first hand experience in the need for quality early child care & education, more so for parents that do not have the luxury of being able to work from home. I would like to see the city offer child care to city workers, work with OPSB to expand pre-K programs at our schools (particularly the ones that require testing for admission), and implement/improve accreditation on child care facilities.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
The Master Plan is due for amending, and I believe we should make it clear that the city’s long-term vision is rooted in childhood success for our kids now and in the future. I would look for dedicated funding from New Orleans & Co, the Saints, Ochsner, Tulane, and other major entities to start dedicating major recurring funding towards existing child enrichment programs across the city.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Entergy still has not paid some of the fines that have been levied against them from this current City Council. We need to beef up City Council's staff for utility regulation & litigation to make sure Entergy pays for its corruption, and work towards municipalization if they don't.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
We need to stop selling City properties and start developing public housing. We need to stop STR permits for those that don't have homestead exemptions, and work with those that don't to have the opportunity to take housing vouchers instead of fines. I want to increase the affordable housing allocations on new developments. Decreasing Entergy bills and codifying tax assessments in line with the rest of the state will make housing more affordable. I will work to increase union membership across the city, which has been shown to increase wages, reduce health care out-of-pocket expenses, and in turn reduces affordability issues that a large portion of our workers are currently facing.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
I will not vote on a budget that increases NOPD or OPSO's share of the budget.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I will introduce a participatory budget that allows voters the ability to give input & vote on allocations. I do not support the use of ARP to fund police (which current council & Pres Biden have floated that idea around). My priorities are fully funded public health & first responders, sanitation, and rent forgiveness/assistance.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
A participatory budget process will empower our communities to dictate their priorities in a democratic fashion. CitizenLab, for example, has a great product & team that has implemented PB in cities across the world, and has great examples of how communities were engaged that may not have equitable access to technology or internet. By giving the people direct control of their dollars, we can move closer towards a true People's Budget.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I was against the millages in 2020 because they defunded the library by 40%. During that campaign, I learned a lot about the City Seats program, the importance of fully-funded early childhood development, and the layers of non-profits that are attempting to fill in that void. As the parent of a lively three-year-old while working at home during the duration of the pandemic, I have first hand experience in the need for quality early child care & education, more so for parents that do not have the luxury of being able to work from home. I would like to see the city offer child care to city workers, work with OPSB to expand pre-K programs at our schools (particularly the ones that require testing for admission), and implement/improve accreditation on child care facilities.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
The Master Plan is due for amending, and I believe we should make it clear that the city’s long-term vision is rooted in childhood success for our kids now and in the future. I would look for dedicated funding from New Orleans & Co, the Saints, Ochsner, Tulane, and other major entities to start dedicating major recurring funding towards existing child enrichment programs across the city.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Entergy still has not paid some of the fines that have been levied against them from this current City Council. We need to beef up City Council's staff for utility regulation & litigation to make sure Entergy pays for its corruption, and work towards municipalization if they don't.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
We need to stop selling City properties and start developing public housing. We need to stop STR permits for those that don't have homestead exemptions, and work with those that don't to have the opportunity to take housing vouchers instead of fines. I want to increase the affordable housing allocations on new developments. Decreasing Entergy bills and codifying tax assessments in line with the rest of the state will make housing more affordable. I will work to increase union membership across the city, which has been shown to increase wages, reduce health care out-of-pocket expenses, and in turn reduces affordability issues that a large portion of our workers are currently facing.
Lesli Harris
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
Q3: New Orleans is down to around 1,013 NOPD officers and experts say that we need between 1500 to 2000 for basic public safety. I do believe that we need to fund investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs. The Biden Administration’s infrastructure package includes funds to address violent crime, which includes funding for programs that provide young people educational opportunities, training programs and behavioral l health services. We need to make sure that New Orleans gets its share of that funding and that the administration properly allocates funds to educational and training programs that provide meaningful opportunity. Q7: I support repurposing and developing City-owned vacant and blighted property into no-cost or low-cost affordable housing for our unhomed population. Requiring hotels or Airbnb’s to set aside a percentage of their vacant rooms only serves as a temporary solution. Our fellow citizens need permanent housing opportunities. We should also seek funding for wrap around services -- including mental health counseling, training programs, and healthcare -- to support our unhomed population.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I’m running because I believe we need better communication, transparency, and accountability at the City Council. Communication means that we meet people where they are. If politicians can reach out to ask for our votes, they can reach out to get our input on how to prioritize our resources. I will respond to every constituent call, keep my door open to stakeholders, and proactively go into the community - via quarterly town halls, in person meetings, social media, mail, and phone calls/text messages - to keep the lines of communication open.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
As discussed above, communication should be a guiding principle for our City Council and communication means we have to meet people where they are. I will respond to every constituent call, keep my door open to stakeholders, and proactively go out in the community - via quarterly town halls, in person meetings, social media, mail, and phone calls/text messages - to keep the lines of communication open.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I am committed to continuing and expanding early childhood education in New Orleans. The Biden/Harris administration has committed to increasing federal funds for universal, high quality early childhood. I will work with Cedric Richmond and Senator Troy Carter to make sure that New Orleans gets its share of that funding. I will also consult with local experts and educators on the best means of making sure that those funds are properly and most effectively allocated. Finally, I will not be a “rubber stamp” on the administrations’ proposed annual budgets but will instead dig into the budget, ask the tough questions, and make sure all expenditures reflect the needs of the community.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
City Council members have the power to enact ordinances establishing dedicated offices to provide services to the community. I would be happy to sponsor or co-sponsor an ordinance establishing a robust Office of Youth and Families focused on New Orleans children and young people.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
As Councilmember, I will aggressively monitor Entergy’s progress on the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS), which requires Entergy to satisfy an escalating percentage of its user demand through the use of renewable and clean energy technologies. To meet these goals, Entergy must complete a meaningful Integrated Resource Planning Process that reflects real-world conditions, including the realities of New Orleans’ population. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are rapidly becoming the most cost effective means for providing energy services to consumers, while traditional coal and natural-gas fired plants are becoming obsolete at faster rates than initially predicted. I will monitor Entergy’s efforts and require Entergy make real progress towards these goals, including putting long term planning that is best for customers ahead of short term gains for stockholders. In addition to pushing for Entergy to provide the most affordable, healthy means of delivering energy services through fulfilling the requirements of the RCPS, I will work with state and federal partners, like Congressman Troy Carter and Cedric Richmond to get funds to subsidize energy costs for our low income residents. With new leadership in the White House, we must capitalize on this opportunity to invest in our most vulnerable and improve their quality of life. I will push Entergy to invest in green energy solutions for homeowners, renters, and businesses -- including solar panels and the batteries for future outages when they happen. Entergy needs to meet people where they are, and I will push them to provide information sessions and forums in neighborhood meeting places so that everyone has equal access to information and resources.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
The Biden Administration has doubled the federal budget dedicated to fixing housing insecurity. As Councilmember, I will fight for our share of those funds so that we can: provide grants to low-income homeowners to make essential repairs so their homes do not fall into blight; increase first-time home buyers’ training, financial programs, and soft second mortgage assistance programs; repurpose City-owned properties for affordable housing and low-barrier homeless shelters. I will also use the power of the City Council to ensure reasonable utility rates without unexpected spikes; work with our state representative to lobby for passage of the 10% assessment cap on unimproved homes; and ensure better enforcement of STR regulations and seek community input on whether the current STR laws are appropriate.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
Q3: New Orleans is down to around 1,013 NOPD officers and experts say that we need between 1500 to 2000 for basic public safety. I do believe that we need to fund investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs. The Biden Administration’s infrastructure package includes funds to address violent crime, which includes funding for programs that provide young people educational opportunities, training programs and behavioral l health services. We need to make sure that New Orleans gets its share of that funding and that the administration properly allocates funds to educational and training programs that provide meaningful opportunity. Q7: I support repurposing and developing City-owned vacant and blighted property into no-cost or low-cost affordable housing for our unhomed population. Requiring hotels or Airbnb’s to set aside a percentage of their vacant rooms only serves as a temporary solution. Our fellow citizens need permanent housing opportunities. We should also seek funding for wrap around services -- including mental health counseling, training programs, and healthcare -- to support our unhomed population.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I’m running because I believe we need better communication, transparency, and accountability at the City Council. Communication means that we meet people where they are. If politicians can reach out to ask for our votes, they can reach out to get our input on how to prioritize our resources. I will respond to every constituent call, keep my door open to stakeholders, and proactively go into the community - via quarterly town halls, in person meetings, social media, mail, and phone calls/text messages - to keep the lines of communication open.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
As discussed above, communication should be a guiding principle for our City Council and communication means we have to meet people where they are. I will respond to every constituent call, keep my door open to stakeholders, and proactively go out in the community - via quarterly town halls, in person meetings, social media, mail, and phone calls/text messages - to keep the lines of communication open.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I am committed to continuing and expanding early childhood education in New Orleans. The Biden/Harris administration has committed to increasing federal funds for universal, high quality early childhood. I will work with Cedric Richmond and Senator Troy Carter to make sure that New Orleans gets its share of that funding. I will also consult with local experts and educators on the best means of making sure that those funds are properly and most effectively allocated. Finally, I will not be a “rubber stamp” on the administrations’ proposed annual budgets but will instead dig into the budget, ask the tough questions, and make sure all expenditures reflect the needs of the community.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
City Council members have the power to enact ordinances establishing dedicated offices to provide services to the community. I would be happy to sponsor or co-sponsor an ordinance establishing a robust Office of Youth and Families focused on New Orleans children and young people.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
As Councilmember, I will aggressively monitor Entergy’s progress on the Renewable and Clean Portfolio Standard (RCPS), which requires Entergy to satisfy an escalating percentage of its user demand through the use of renewable and clean energy technologies. To meet these goals, Entergy must complete a meaningful Integrated Resource Planning Process that reflects real-world conditions, including the realities of New Orleans’ population. Energy efficiency and renewable energy are rapidly becoming the most cost effective means for providing energy services to consumers, while traditional coal and natural-gas fired plants are becoming obsolete at faster rates than initially predicted. I will monitor Entergy’s efforts and require Entergy make real progress towards these goals, including putting long term planning that is best for customers ahead of short term gains for stockholders. In addition to pushing for Entergy to provide the most affordable, healthy means of delivering energy services through fulfilling the requirements of the RCPS, I will work with state and federal partners, like Congressman Troy Carter and Cedric Richmond to get funds to subsidize energy costs for our low income residents. With new leadership in the White House, we must capitalize on this opportunity to invest in our most vulnerable and improve their quality of life. I will push Entergy to invest in green energy solutions for homeowners, renters, and businesses -- including solar panels and the batteries for future outages when they happen. Entergy needs to meet people where they are, and I will push them to provide information sessions and forums in neighborhood meeting places so that everyone has equal access to information and resources.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
The Biden Administration has doubled the federal budget dedicated to fixing housing insecurity. As Councilmember, I will fight for our share of those funds so that we can: provide grants to low-income homeowners to make essential repairs so their homes do not fall into blight; increase first-time home buyers’ training, financial programs, and soft second mortgage assistance programs; repurpose City-owned properties for affordable housing and low-barrier homeless shelters. I will also use the power of the City Council to ensure reasonable utility rates without unexpected spikes; work with our state representative to lobby for passage of the 10% assessment cap on unimproved homes; and ensure better enforcement of STR regulations and seek community input on whether the current STR laws are appropriate.
Frank Perez
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
I believe the above questions correctly hone in on the causes of crime, including incarceration and exploitation of people with serious mental health struggles. I'm looking forward to partnering with Power Coalition on all these issues.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I can speak for myself in District C. We would have several community meetings at which the public could first suggest uses that I would commit to introduce to council. Further, we need to hold a separate hearing on Covid spending that is first testimonial, then a separate meeting for a vote so that there is opportunity for the council to consider public input.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
First, I won't approve anymore tax giveaways to corporations until funding for adequate health and safety programs is allocated. I am committed to shining a spotlight, even on individuals, who are impacted negatively by current city budgeting to make the case for serious changes. We need to serve the local entrepreneurs and most vulnerable with our dollars. We must also make corporations accountable through fines when they don't comply with conditions of tax giveaways, or when the hurt our people (see Entergy).
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
As an educator, I want to talk a lead on this issue. I believe we MUST cultivate the state as a funding partner in order to be successful and I will take this fight to the capitol to ensure we get our share of state dollars. That is one big way to expand access to early childhood education. We also need more money spent on recruitment and public education in our most vulnerable locations in the city than in the other locations where access to education is determined by income. It's fair to encourage disparate spending in this manner, and I will.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I will bring policies that institutionalize this program and give City Council more of a role in it, to ensure that through administration changes, the quality of the program remains. I also believe we need proven citizen liaisons to run the program and to serve terms that overlap between administrations to ensure continuity.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
I'll vote to end the lucrative contracts that are the most expensive contracts that cost ratepayers too much money. I will vote to fine Entergy every time they are in the wrong and I will vote to credit customers when there are outages, overcharges, and other errors in billing.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
Clearly, our current zoning plans aren't doing what they should. First I believe we must integrate zoning regulations that truly encourage affordable housing in every neighborhood, even if it costs the city more money. Second, we must stop the misuse of background checks in the housing application process. Our housing authorities across the state need support. They no longer receive massive HUD funding like they did in the past. That means they need help getting insurance, skilled workers, etc. at prices that fit the market. That needs to be addressed both at City Council and at the State level. I will support that effort in every way I can.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
I believe the above questions correctly hone in on the causes of crime, including incarceration and exploitation of people with serious mental health struggles. I'm looking forward to partnering with Power Coalition on all these issues.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I can speak for myself in District C. We would have several community meetings at which the public could first suggest uses that I would commit to introduce to council. Further, we need to hold a separate hearing on Covid spending that is first testimonial, then a separate meeting for a vote so that there is opportunity for the council to consider public input.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
First, I won't approve anymore tax giveaways to corporations until funding for adequate health and safety programs is allocated. I am committed to shining a spotlight, even on individuals, who are impacted negatively by current city budgeting to make the case for serious changes. We need to serve the local entrepreneurs and most vulnerable with our dollars. We must also make corporations accountable through fines when they don't comply with conditions of tax giveaways, or when the hurt our people (see Entergy).
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
As an educator, I want to talk a lead on this issue. I believe we MUST cultivate the state as a funding partner in order to be successful and I will take this fight to the capitol to ensure we get our share of state dollars. That is one big way to expand access to early childhood education. We also need more money spent on recruitment and public education in our most vulnerable locations in the city than in the other locations where access to education is determined by income. It's fair to encourage disparate spending in this manner, and I will.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I will bring policies that institutionalize this program and give City Council more of a role in it, to ensure that through administration changes, the quality of the program remains. I also believe we need proven citizen liaisons to run the program and to serve terms that overlap between administrations to ensure continuity.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
I'll vote to end the lucrative contracts that are the most expensive contracts that cost ratepayers too much money. I will vote to fine Entergy every time they are in the wrong and I will vote to credit customers when there are outages, overcharges, and other errors in billing.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
Clearly, our current zoning plans aren't doing what they should. First I believe we must integrate zoning regulations that truly encourage affordable housing in every neighborhood, even if it costs the city more money. Second, we must stop the misuse of background checks in the housing application process. Our housing authorities across the state need support. They no longer receive massive HUD funding like they did in the past. That means they need help getting insurance, skilled workers, etc. at prices that fit the market. That needs to be addressed both at City Council and at the State level. I will support that effort in every way I can.
Stephanie Bridges
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
Q4--I wholeheartedly support early care and education programs, but I think we need to find another funding stream to fund these important programs. The taxes that are paid by some of the residents are already too burdensome.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I would seek to have the City Council hold public hearings. My priorities would be to address all of the items listed in the question above.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
I would ensure that there is sufficient opportunity for public participation, even if that means scheduling meetings in the evenings so that the public can paticipate. In addition, I would include community access to the City Council Committee process to ensure that the City remains accountable to the citizens.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I would meet with the Mayor to encourage her to include additional funding in her budget proposal.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
As a Director of a non-profit that advocates for youth justice, it is vital that we ensure that these programs have long-term structure to ensure continuance. I would meet with the Mayor to encourage her to incorporate a long-term structure in these programs.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
The Council is the regulatory body of Entergy New Orleans. As council woman of District C, I will perform my responsibility to regulate Entergy. Climate change has impacted the number and strength of hurricanes and storms since Hurricane Katrina. I will work to ensure that citizens do not bear the brunt of corporate costs for Entergy's failure to adequately strengthen its infrastructure.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I will work to increase the supply and availability of affordable housing, and try to make better of our community development block grants. I will introduce policies that require inclusion of affordable housing units in market-rate.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
Q4--I wholeheartedly support early care and education programs, but I think we need to find another funding stream to fund these important programs. The taxes that are paid by some of the residents are already too burdensome.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I would seek to have the City Council hold public hearings. My priorities would be to address all of the items listed in the question above.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
I would ensure that there is sufficient opportunity for public participation, even if that means scheduling meetings in the evenings so that the public can paticipate. In addition, I would include community access to the City Council Committee process to ensure that the City remains accountable to the citizens.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I would meet with the Mayor to encourage her to include additional funding in her budget proposal.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
As a Director of a non-profit that advocates for youth justice, it is vital that we ensure that these programs have long-term structure to ensure continuance. I would meet with the Mayor to encourage her to incorporate a long-term structure in these programs.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
The Council is the regulatory body of Entergy New Orleans. As council woman of District C, I will perform my responsibility to regulate Entergy. Climate change has impacted the number and strength of hurricanes and storms since Hurricane Katrina. I will work to ensure that citizens do not bear the brunt of corporate costs for Entergy's failure to adequately strengthen its infrastructure.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I will work to increase the supply and availability of affordable housing, and try to make better of our community development block grants. I will introduce policies that require inclusion of affordable housing units in market-rate.
Vincent Milligan
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
No
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
No
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
No
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
New Orleans does not have the money in the budget to give all city employees a raise to 15 an hour across the board. Diverting the money away from the police has already created such a violent crime uptick that people are selling their homes , closing their businesses and moving away. It’s also choking tourism and preventing Fortune 500 companies from coming to New Orleans to increase our economy. We qualify for millions in mental Health grants. , you don’t throw money at a broken school system. You fix it. Latoya started 19 programs for at risk children at $35 million. We need to make sure they are implemented properly. The ITEP. Should only be implemented to create long term jobs. Period. I do not trust the city officials that we have now to make those decisions. They like to give yo friends and families too much. This needs oversight like so many things in nola. The Phase 3 prison costs too much. That should be put toward shelter for the mentally ill snd treatment. Until they have permanent housing and a treatment plan. It is not the government’s job to tell people what to do with their own property. What gives anyone the right to tell them how to use their property. Using AirBNB to house I housed people is a huge no. We are not communist and New Orleans already uses way to many social programs here. So much so that people can’t bring themselves out of poverty. We need to invest in the infrastructure, reducing crime greatly , fix the SW&B, trash , water boil advisories. We have such a poor quality of life here that we have been listed in some studies as top places not yo live because of quality of life issues. Those issues need to be addressed. Our citizens should be better educated so that we can attract Tech Companies , Cyber Security Companies, more Hollywood studios. Music production studies and so forth. So that when we are able to attract these companies our citizens are poised to take these jobs to have a better quality of life. Property tax are already too high. Property valuation is not regulated so , we need appraisers to appraise property properly. The last thing we should do is try to penalize property owners here for their properties. The last outrageous increase for now apparent reason caused many elderly people to lose their homes. This city collects more than enough in tax revenue to keep our city going if it were spent properly and stop creating all of these new , in effective committees to give friends and family Jobs. If we need any kind of new committee it’s an oversight committee that makes sure every Penny the city receives is accounted for quarterly.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
That’s not a surprise with this mayor. More money runs through her fingers than ever before without seeing any real results. I would push for mental health shelters snd people to work their yo get the homeless snd other mentally ill people treat Don’t and place your stay while they are found permanent housing. Crime. We need to squash this rash of violent crime , house invasions and carjackings you make our citizens safe. Hire a hydroponic engineer to revamp the SW&B. Look into water turbines to power the SW&B. Maybe even entergy. Customers could get a refund for the power that Entergy buys at the end of every year. The streets replaced. No more potholes. We need to have a comprehensive plan of the streets of New Orleans with a plan starting in one area ending in another until sll streets are complete and completely revamped to a much higher standard than status quo. We need new streets. Not just to fix the potholes. Also, let’s be clear. I was told by more than one council person that we received 723 mill. The mayor already owed 50 mill to a line of credit taken out on it before we ever received a cent. So that’s 323 mm to work with.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
I plan to have an open door policy for all of my constituents and take their opinions into account. Write them all down a d attack the largest to the smallest in each budget and encourage my fellow councilmen to do the same. The Citizens of New Orleans have no say in anything that goes in. They are completely ignored until election time. That is why I am running snd plan to do the opposite. Our city officials forget that we work for the public. The public doesn’t work for the City.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I have no answer to this. But nice I’m elected I plan to find an answer.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
We need to consolidate these programs and get Nola back on track to make sure that we have the tax revenue to continue the programs.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
By letting the Public Service Commission who is not influenced by Entergy take over regulating them as they should. That would cut each bill by 20% and help to keep our bills from rising. lol the council , especially since it changes each election have no qualifications whatsoever to Regulate Entergy. Even the “boards” that the council people are paid to be on show that they don’t do their knobs to perky by the outcome of Ida. Helena Morena not anyone in the city government has done nothing, in years , to make sure that Nola is prepared for hurricane season. The tower that wiped out or electricity should have been checked regularly each hurricane season it withstood Katrina but when it fell it was a weak rust bucket. Helena is on the Utility board. A paid position. Why wasn’t she aware of its disrepair? Yet she runs out there with her fake concern after it fell?
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
Clean up the issues that I have already spoken on. Get more affordable schools here. Vocational/technical schools. Computer repair , lots more that are affordable for low income. We don’t have an affordable housing shortage. We have an education situation that needs to be revamped and restored to our city. Too many “low income” families do not have jobs that pay enough. We need to educate them and bring in mew businesses to New Orleans for our citizens to work. Factories that hire many people. We need to have a larger population of skilled workers , So we need to have the education available to them as well.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
No
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
No
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
No
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
No
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
New Orleans does not have the money in the budget to give all city employees a raise to 15 an hour across the board. Diverting the money away from the police has already created such a violent crime uptick that people are selling their homes , closing their businesses and moving away. It’s also choking tourism and preventing Fortune 500 companies from coming to New Orleans to increase our economy. We qualify for millions in mental Health grants. , you don’t throw money at a broken school system. You fix it. Latoya started 19 programs for at risk children at $35 million. We need to make sure they are implemented properly. The ITEP. Should only be implemented to create long term jobs. Period. I do not trust the city officials that we have now to make those decisions. They like to give yo friends and families too much. This needs oversight like so many things in nola. The Phase 3 prison costs too much. That should be put toward shelter for the mentally ill snd treatment. Until they have permanent housing and a treatment plan. It is not the government’s job to tell people what to do with their own property. What gives anyone the right to tell them how to use their property. Using AirBNB to house I housed people is a huge no. We are not communist and New Orleans already uses way to many social programs here. So much so that people can’t bring themselves out of poverty. We need to invest in the infrastructure, reducing crime greatly , fix the SW&B, trash , water boil advisories. We have such a poor quality of life here that we have been listed in some studies as top places not yo live because of quality of life issues. Those issues need to be addressed. Our citizens should be better educated so that we can attract Tech Companies , Cyber Security Companies, more Hollywood studios. Music production studies and so forth. So that when we are able to attract these companies our citizens are poised to take these jobs to have a better quality of life. Property tax are already too high. Property valuation is not regulated so , we need appraisers to appraise property properly. The last thing we should do is try to penalize property owners here for their properties. The last outrageous increase for now apparent reason caused many elderly people to lose their homes. This city collects more than enough in tax revenue to keep our city going if it were spent properly and stop creating all of these new , in effective committees to give friends and family Jobs. If we need any kind of new committee it’s an oversight committee that makes sure every Penny the city receives is accounted for quarterly.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
That’s not a surprise with this mayor. More money runs through her fingers than ever before without seeing any real results. I would push for mental health shelters snd people to work their yo get the homeless snd other mentally ill people treat Don’t and place your stay while they are found permanent housing. Crime. We need to squash this rash of violent crime , house invasions and carjackings you make our citizens safe. Hire a hydroponic engineer to revamp the SW&B. Look into water turbines to power the SW&B. Maybe even entergy. Customers could get a refund for the power that Entergy buys at the end of every year. The streets replaced. No more potholes. We need to have a comprehensive plan of the streets of New Orleans with a plan starting in one area ending in another until sll streets are complete and completely revamped to a much higher standard than status quo. We need new streets. Not just to fix the potholes. Also, let’s be clear. I was told by more than one council person that we received 723 mill. The mayor already owed 50 mill to a line of credit taken out on it before we ever received a cent. So that’s 323 mm to work with.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
I plan to have an open door policy for all of my constituents and take their opinions into account. Write them all down a d attack the largest to the smallest in each budget and encourage my fellow councilmen to do the same. The Citizens of New Orleans have no say in anything that goes in. They are completely ignored until election time. That is why I am running snd plan to do the opposite. Our city officials forget that we work for the public. The public doesn’t work for the City.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I have no answer to this. But nice I’m elected I plan to find an answer.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
We need to consolidate these programs and get Nola back on track to make sure that we have the tax revenue to continue the programs.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
By letting the Public Service Commission who is not influenced by Entergy take over regulating them as they should. That would cut each bill by 20% and help to keep our bills from rising. lol the council , especially since it changes each election have no qualifications whatsoever to Regulate Entergy. Even the “boards” that the council people are paid to be on show that they don’t do their knobs to perky by the outcome of Ida. Helena Morena not anyone in the city government has done nothing, in years , to make sure that Nola is prepared for hurricane season. The tower that wiped out or electricity should have been checked regularly each hurricane season it withstood Katrina but when it fell it was a weak rust bucket. Helena is on the Utility board. A paid position. Why wasn’t she aware of its disrepair? Yet she runs out there with her fake concern after it fell?
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
Clean up the issues that I have already spoken on. Get more affordable schools here. Vocational/technical schools. Computer repair , lots more that are affordable for low income. We don’t have an affordable housing shortage. We have an education situation that needs to be revamped and restored to our city. Too many “low income” families do not have jobs that pay enough. We need to educate them and bring in mew businesses to New Orleans for our citizens to work. Factories that hire many people. We need to have a larger population of skilled workers , So we need to have the education available to them as well.
Freddie King, III
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I would engage community members to develop this plan by doing what I am doing now, and that is meeting my neighbors of District C where they are to hear what their needs are. Our city council has to stop expecting people to come to them with what they need. We must go to our residents to hear their needs. My priorities within the plan itself would first be to meet the needs of my constituents. Second, and a focus of my platform is to spark economic development within the District C community, and I believe that this funding from the federal government allows us to support small businesses in our city that may need help getting off the ground or keeping their doors open. Lastly, Hurricane Ida hit us hard and I think funding from the American Rescue Plan must meet those needs too.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
Once again, we have to meet the residents where they are and I think doing council meetings either in each district or with neighborhood associations that are purely about the budget process would be effective. I think the main way that the City must prioritize community needs that are expressed throughout the budget process is by addressing the most pressing needs of the community first through adequate investment. After addressing those priorities the council can then move to the topics that residents want to address long-term and make progress on those issues as well.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I sit on the board of InspireNOLA Charter Schools, and I often say the best gift you can ever give a child is the power associated with a high-quality education. Our city council has to be honest with itself and start putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to early-childhood education. Right now times are tough on everyone economically, including the city, but it is important that we all make due with the cards we are dealt and leap at the first opportunity we have to expand current resources.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I’m a father and my children take precedent over anything else in my life. However, one of the reasons I am running for city council is so they can grow up and live in a New Orleans where they are valued, prioritized, and loved. On the council I am willing to commit to codifying young people’s voices in the budgeting process and other processes within our city.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
We have to stop letting Entergy think we will allow them to walk all over the council and our residents. Time and time again the council will pass motions and resolutions to cover for themselves after storms, but they do not make lasting changes. I am committed to auditing Entergy and holding them to account for any misgivings that may be uncovered and to opposing any hikes in customer rates because of disasters like Hurricane Ida. Lastly, we have to invest in hardening our infrastructure so we can avoid power and water disasters related to storms and other natural disasters.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
First, we have to enforce the mandatory inclusionary zoning policy and short-term rental policies that the council already has in place. We have codified the city’s commitment to addressing this issue, but we are not enforcing the policies that exist currently. Second, our city has to get blighted properties into the hands of low income buyers so that they can become home-owners. Lastly, we have to bring all the stakeholders to the table to address this critical issue as we plan to increase quality housing in our communities.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
I would engage community members to develop this plan by doing what I am doing now, and that is meeting my neighbors of District C where they are to hear what their needs are. Our city council has to stop expecting people to come to them with what they need. We must go to our residents to hear their needs. My priorities within the plan itself would first be to meet the needs of my constituents. Second, and a focus of my platform is to spark economic development within the District C community, and I believe that this funding from the federal government allows us to support small businesses in our city that may need help getting off the ground or keeping their doors open. Lastly, Hurricane Ida hit us hard and I think funding from the American Rescue Plan must meet those needs too.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
Once again, we have to meet the residents where they are and I think doing council meetings either in each district or with neighborhood associations that are purely about the budget process would be effective. I think the main way that the City must prioritize community needs that are expressed throughout the budget process is by addressing the most pressing needs of the community first through adequate investment. After addressing those priorities the council can then move to the topics that residents want to address long-term and make progress on those issues as well.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I sit on the board of InspireNOLA Charter Schools, and I often say the best gift you can ever give a child is the power associated with a high-quality education. Our city council has to be honest with itself and start putting its money where its mouth is when it comes to early-childhood education. Right now times are tough on everyone economically, including the city, but it is important that we all make due with the cards we are dealt and leap at the first opportunity we have to expand current resources.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I’m a father and my children take precedent over anything else in my life. However, one of the reasons I am running for city council is so they can grow up and live in a New Orleans where they are valued, prioritized, and loved. On the council I am willing to commit to codifying young people’s voices in the budgeting process and other processes within our city.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
We have to stop letting Entergy think we will allow them to walk all over the council and our residents. Time and time again the council will pass motions and resolutions to cover for themselves after storms, but they do not make lasting changes. I am committed to auditing Entergy and holding them to account for any misgivings that may be uncovered and to opposing any hikes in customer rates because of disasters like Hurricane Ida. Lastly, we have to invest in hardening our infrastructure so we can avoid power and water disasters related to storms and other natural disasters.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
First, we have to enforce the mandatory inclusionary zoning policy and short-term rental policies that the council already has in place. We have codified the city’s commitment to addressing this issue, but we are not enforcing the policies that exist currently. Second, our city has to get blighted properties into the hands of low income buyers so that they can become home-owners. Lastly, we have to bring all the stakeholders to the table to address this critical issue as we plan to increase quality housing in our communities.
Troy Glover
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
Equity is a key to reimagining the future of my home district. District D is economically and racially diverse yet too often we skew to the needs of the upper income, middle class when we address quality of life for District D. To be a truly equitable, safe, and growing district, we must also support and build policy that support vulnerable people in our communities. We know that crime is simply a symptom of what happens when people are disenfranchised, have no safety net, and meeting basic needs becomes Herculean because of low wages. We can provide the transparency that regularly engaged District D residents seek while also re-engaging our vulnerable populations by implementing real solutions that directly impact their ability to not only survive but thrive in New Orleans.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
How we currently conduct the budgeting process is why this kind of thing can happen without little to no input from the citizens of New Orleans. This is the opportunity for us to challenge ourselves to create an equitable and transparent budgeting process. I would work with my colleagues to push hard and ensure that the additional $194M is not spent on anything without review and consideration by the council and hearing from the citizens of New Orleans. Further, it would be the beginning of our push to change how we make the budget, prioritize the budget, and spend our very limited resources to ensure greater equity for our most vulnerable residents.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
We would engage residents directly in discussion about what the options to utilize these funds would be. The People's Budget process was a great way of putting the power of budgeting into the hands of the residents. I would seek ways for it to not simply be an exercise but commit to how we use it to inform what the decision are in real time and real life. For this particular pot of funds, I would directly via, social media, safe in-person gatherings, radio etc to solicit comments, questions and feedback. Bring those to the council and push hard for those items to be seriously considered (and if possible understand why not if the answer for certain things is 'no') Most importantly we would directly demand and advocate for a transparent process on identifying funding priorities, understanding the 'why' behind the proposed decision.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
A potential solution, I believe, might be to use a small tax on short-term rentals that is used to fund this much needed expansion. We also have low corporate taxes. We could explore a small tax here. What I would not want to do is add an additional regressive sales tax even if or property tax which is already inequitably straining low and moderate income folks in New Orleans.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
We would explore making it part of the City Charter.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Entergy has been a bad actor so the first order of business is an audit to understand how the $200 million in storm recovery funds were used and why the chose the least resilient and cheapest way to rebuild the infrastructure post-Katrina. Also, its time for the Council to conduct a rigorous analysis on the following a) consider engaging an outside regulator b) study each of the potential power options-- returning to municipal ownership, expanding the available power choices, selecting a new power company, or continuing with Entergy with a new contract and more teeth to enforce it.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
We have to expand the continuum of affordable housing. We have over concentrated on senior housing and subsidized homeownership. These are very important but it has limited the amount of small-rental multifamily housing and units with 2 bedrooms or more for families. It also has left limited room for innovative solutions to house our most vulnerable unhoused populations-- the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. The City once had a small-rental funding program. I would want to examine putting that back into place especially since we see more and more new doubles build around the City. We need to support funding for more units of permanent affordable housing and transitional housing as well. I would work with our local state representatives to propose changes to the state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocation to incentivize applying for credits for the purposes of these funds. I would also work with the City's Community Development office to carve out funding to support these types of units.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
Equity is a key to reimagining the future of my home district. District D is economically and racially diverse yet too often we skew to the needs of the upper income, middle class when we address quality of life for District D. To be a truly equitable, safe, and growing district, we must also support and build policy that support vulnerable people in our communities. We know that crime is simply a symptom of what happens when people are disenfranchised, have no safety net, and meeting basic needs becomes Herculean because of low wages. We can provide the transparency that regularly engaged District D residents seek while also re-engaging our vulnerable populations by implementing real solutions that directly impact their ability to not only survive but thrive in New Orleans.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
How we currently conduct the budgeting process is why this kind of thing can happen without little to no input from the citizens of New Orleans. This is the opportunity for us to challenge ourselves to create an equitable and transparent budgeting process. I would work with my colleagues to push hard and ensure that the additional $194M is not spent on anything without review and consideration by the council and hearing from the citizens of New Orleans. Further, it would be the beginning of our push to change how we make the budget, prioritize the budget, and spend our very limited resources to ensure greater equity for our most vulnerable residents.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
We would engage residents directly in discussion about what the options to utilize these funds would be. The People's Budget process was a great way of putting the power of budgeting into the hands of the residents. I would seek ways for it to not simply be an exercise but commit to how we use it to inform what the decision are in real time and real life. For this particular pot of funds, I would directly via, social media, safe in-person gatherings, radio etc to solicit comments, questions and feedback. Bring those to the council and push hard for those items to be seriously considered (and if possible understand why not if the answer for certain things is 'no') Most importantly we would directly demand and advocate for a transparent process on identifying funding priorities, understanding the 'why' behind the proposed decision.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
A potential solution, I believe, might be to use a small tax on short-term rentals that is used to fund this much needed expansion. We also have low corporate taxes. We could explore a small tax here. What I would not want to do is add an additional regressive sales tax even if or property tax which is already inequitably straining low and moderate income folks in New Orleans.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
We would explore making it part of the City Charter.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Entergy has been a bad actor so the first order of business is an audit to understand how the $200 million in storm recovery funds were used and why the chose the least resilient and cheapest way to rebuild the infrastructure post-Katrina. Also, its time for the Council to conduct a rigorous analysis on the following a) consider engaging an outside regulator b) study each of the potential power options-- returning to municipal ownership, expanding the available power choices, selecting a new power company, or continuing with Entergy with a new contract and more teeth to enforce it.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
We have to expand the continuum of affordable housing. We have over concentrated on senior housing and subsidized homeownership. These are very important but it has limited the amount of small-rental multifamily housing and units with 2 bedrooms or more for families. It also has left limited room for innovative solutions to house our most vulnerable unhoused populations-- the mentally ill and developmentally disabled. The City once had a small-rental funding program. I would want to examine putting that back into place especially since we see more and more new doubles build around the City. We need to support funding for more units of permanent affordable housing and transitional housing as well. I would work with our local state representatives to propose changes to the state Low-Income Housing Tax Credit allocation to incentivize applying for credits for the purposes of these funds. I would also work with the City's Community Development office to carve out funding to support these types of units.
Keith “KP” Parker
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
As a person who was without my big brother for the last 23 years I would love to be apart of prison reform and mental health.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
My focus and hopefully along with the community, that we can address NORD that is underfunded and in my opinion is not helping the children as much as it should for one because of a lack of funding. Lets start first and invest in these local parks that's in the neighborhoods and get more upfront with our mental health.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
As a member of the community first and foremost and hopefully an elected member of council I also see what is needed along with the rest of the community. I believe in true transparency, I don't want to make any decisions without the people in the community behind it we all know everyone will not like all the decisions that is made but lets start somewhere.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I want to add to the budget for early education but taxing the people more for this can be a strain to the economy as well. For taxpayers they do have evidence that shows when you invest in the children every dollar spent on early care and education is estimated to lead at least $3 in cost savings.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
As your councilman I will make sure that the budget is higher for the youth every year while in office. Like Investing more in NORD and education space.. arts & crafts, science programs such as NOCCA. We do know it all starts with protecting the lives of children.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Residents pay a high cost as much as 28% of monthly income, we have far to many power outages for this to keep going on. We need councilmembers who will not take money from Entergy for starters All seven councilmembers get to decide what Entergy charges local customers. Also they vote on the type and quality of services Entergy can provide. We can focus on Renewable and clean energy and hold a public process to determine the cost of these charges they are trying to implement.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I will support new apartment plans that are truly low income and affordable housing. I want to work with developers to ensure we have enough units to cover this crisis 30% in the upcoming years.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
As a person who was without my big brother for the last 23 years I would love to be apart of prison reform and mental health.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
My focus and hopefully along with the community, that we can address NORD that is underfunded and in my opinion is not helping the children as much as it should for one because of a lack of funding. Lets start first and invest in these local parks that's in the neighborhoods and get more upfront with our mental health.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
As a member of the community first and foremost and hopefully an elected member of council I also see what is needed along with the rest of the community. I believe in true transparency, I don't want to make any decisions without the people in the community behind it we all know everyone will not like all the decisions that is made but lets start somewhere.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I want to add to the budget for early education but taxing the people more for this can be a strain to the economy as well. For taxpayers they do have evidence that shows when you invest in the children every dollar spent on early care and education is estimated to lead at least $3 in cost savings.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
As your councilman I will make sure that the budget is higher for the youth every year while in office. Like Investing more in NORD and education space.. arts & crafts, science programs such as NOCCA. We do know it all starts with protecting the lives of children.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Residents pay a high cost as much as 28% of monthly income, we have far to many power outages for this to keep going on. We need councilmembers who will not take money from Entergy for starters All seven councilmembers get to decide what Entergy charges local customers. Also they vote on the type and quality of services Entergy can provide. We can focus on Renewable and clean energy and hold a public process to determine the cost of these charges they are trying to implement.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I will support new apartment plans that are truly low income and affordable housing. I want to work with developers to ensure we have enough units to cover this crisis 30% in the upcoming years.
Timolynn Sams
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
There is a need for change in the city of New Orleans. Social and economic equity are lacking. City officials have expressed robust support for this more proactive and equitable approach to engaging residents and for using City resources to ensure the most marginalized residents are equitably represented. The Master Plan for the 21st Century (Chapter 14) and the City Charter both include this priority, but officials have failed to put an implementation plan into place. The city prospers when everyone prospers. In order to truly thrive, New Orleans must model addressing inequity in our communities. Racial equity recognizes that racism is both systemic and institutionalized and that achieving racial justice requires addressing the root causes of inequity, rather than their contemporary manifestations. To combat the historical legacies of racism in America, particularly here in the Deep South, New Orleans must advance racial equity by actively redistributing resources and investing in communities in ways that combat disparities such as mass incarceration, criminalization, un- and underemployment and poverty.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
COVID-19 has revealed many disparities in access to health care, education, and economic opportunity. These problems aren’t new, but they have been further complicated by the pandemic. Community engagement can be challenging at the best of times; when communities are reeling from a pandemic, protesting racism, and facing economic uncertainty, engagement and communication are even more crucial and more challenging. As a city council member I plan to establish regular touchpoints and reciprocal relationships. I will bring the bold leadership we need to implement equitable solutions and ensure our recovery includes everyone. I intent to engage trusted community members who have deep community relationship and social connections. This ensures that our district is inclusive in our engagement strategies. We will also "go to the people" and meet communities in their safe spaces. This includes places of worship, community centers and resident backyard/or front porches. The primary goal is to engage with all our communities to ensure that everyone has access to information about how the acquired resources will be used to benefit our residents, our businesses, and our neighborhoods.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
The idea of "engagement" is that its not a start and stop process but cyclical as a continuum. As a member of the legislative body this is an opportunity for real feedback to be taken in from residents through multiple engagement processes. I am committed to convening and engaging the district twice a year collectively to ensure we are hearing from each other regarding the priorities that are being made regarding the district. I want to take the exercises and lessons learned during my NPN days as Executive Director and apply that knowledge to participatory budgeting with the diverse communities of District D.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
The first five years of life are the most critical in the development of a child’s brain, and there are economic advantages to investing in early childhood development for disadvantaged children. In addition, by age 5, children are developing social skills that are the types of skills that we require in the future workforce—like making good decisions, the ability to have empathy, that are really just hard to develop in a workforce. As a local legislator I am to promote early learning policies as part of the economic development agenda. Several studies have shown the return on investment that early learning programs can bring to communities. From the number of people employed to the supports provided to working parents to the long-term benefits for children who attend high-quality programs, early learning policies should be considered with the economic development plans. In addition I would encourage business organizations and networks to adopt a policy position in support of public investments for effective, high quality early education programs.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I aim to develop a resolution that would create a New Orleans Youth Commission by sponsoring a Charter Amendment that put the question of whether or not to create the Youth Commission to the voters of New Orleans. The purpose of this commission would be to advise the New Orleans City Council and the Mayor on "the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the children and youth of New Orleans.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
The energy cost burden for low-income households in New Orleans is 18.9 percent. As utility regulators the New Orleans City Council can and must do more to advance equity. As a regulator of the city’s utilities I will investigate closely the value, or lack thereof, that the current advisors provide not only to the Council itself, but to New Orleans ratepayers. Moratoriums on rate increases should be put in place until the company is held accountable, and support for community-driven solutions and a more climate-resilient power system In addition to the guidance of the advisors, I am interested in increasing accesses to community input by residents and other stakeholders, to ensure that rates are fair and affordable for New Orleans ratepayers
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
Solving our affordable housing crisis isn’t just about building more housing. We must solve for substandard conditions, and we must address our eviction crisis. We must solve for substandard conditions as there are too many people renting places that aren’t kept up. Much of our cheap housing (“affordable”) isn’t well maintained, leaving tenants in dangerous conditions yet, if they call code enforcement they can get evicted. I want to support passage of an anti-retaliation ordinance, so that tenants can call code enforcement when they need to, without concern about losing their home. A rental registry solves some of our issues with substandard housing by providing an affirmative inspection process for all rentals. Although there are mixed reviews on rental registries in other places, but it might be the only option for us to improve local housing standards because state law is so limiting. I think we can craft a solution that works for New Orleans, and I hope advocates would want to be part of the solution to create a rental registry that works here. We also have an eviction crisis that must be addressed. The data on evictions is appalling, and disproportionately impacts Black women and their children. That’s because so many heads of household are women, and among evicted households overwhelmingly African American. This is a very personal issue for me and super critical to the constituents of District D which has a population of more than 30% reflective of this profile. There are lots of ways we can do this. First, we must pass an anti-retaliation ordinance so that tenants living in substandard conditions can report health & safety violations. Second, the City’s rental assistance program has done a great job of connecting the courts, legal services, and rental relief funds. We need to make that a model going forward and, expand to meet even more tenants…including those that may not have access to legal services. I think the courts are aware of the issues and trying to be a good partner, now City Council needs to do the same. Solving our eviction crisis will help solve our affordable housing. Truthfully, we Need More Housing and I support efforts to increase our citywide development goals by ensuring the Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund (NHIF) remains intact. I support full implementation of the Smart Housing Mix, to best utilize zoning policy to increase access to affordable housing and I support the Finance Authority’s innovative efforts like green mortgages and other financing structures that leverage capital investments in affordable housing while also making housing “greener” and thus more affordable to live in.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
There is a need for change in the city of New Orleans. Social and economic equity are lacking. City officials have expressed robust support for this more proactive and equitable approach to engaging residents and for using City resources to ensure the most marginalized residents are equitably represented. The Master Plan for the 21st Century (Chapter 14) and the City Charter both include this priority, but officials have failed to put an implementation plan into place. The city prospers when everyone prospers. In order to truly thrive, New Orleans must model addressing inequity in our communities. Racial equity recognizes that racism is both systemic and institutionalized and that achieving racial justice requires addressing the root causes of inequity, rather than their contemporary manifestations. To combat the historical legacies of racism in America, particularly here in the Deep South, New Orleans must advance racial equity by actively redistributing resources and investing in communities in ways that combat disparities such as mass incarceration, criminalization, un- and underemployment and poverty.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
COVID-19 has revealed many disparities in access to health care, education, and economic opportunity. These problems aren’t new, but they have been further complicated by the pandemic. Community engagement can be challenging at the best of times; when communities are reeling from a pandemic, protesting racism, and facing economic uncertainty, engagement and communication are even more crucial and more challenging. As a city council member I plan to establish regular touchpoints and reciprocal relationships. I will bring the bold leadership we need to implement equitable solutions and ensure our recovery includes everyone. I intent to engage trusted community members who have deep community relationship and social connections. This ensures that our district is inclusive in our engagement strategies. We will also "go to the people" and meet communities in their safe spaces. This includes places of worship, community centers and resident backyard/or front porches. The primary goal is to engage with all our communities to ensure that everyone has access to information about how the acquired resources will be used to benefit our residents, our businesses, and our neighborhoods.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
The idea of "engagement" is that its not a start and stop process but cyclical as a continuum. As a member of the legislative body this is an opportunity for real feedback to be taken in from residents through multiple engagement processes. I am committed to convening and engaging the district twice a year collectively to ensure we are hearing from each other regarding the priorities that are being made regarding the district. I want to take the exercises and lessons learned during my NPN days as Executive Director and apply that knowledge to participatory budgeting with the diverse communities of District D.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
The first five years of life are the most critical in the development of a child’s brain, and there are economic advantages to investing in early childhood development for disadvantaged children. In addition, by age 5, children are developing social skills that are the types of skills that we require in the future workforce—like making good decisions, the ability to have empathy, that are really just hard to develop in a workforce. As a local legislator I am to promote early learning policies as part of the economic development agenda. Several studies have shown the return on investment that early learning programs can bring to communities. From the number of people employed to the supports provided to working parents to the long-term benefits for children who attend high-quality programs, early learning policies should be considered with the economic development plans. In addition I would encourage business organizations and networks to adopt a policy position in support of public investments for effective, high quality early education programs.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I aim to develop a resolution that would create a New Orleans Youth Commission by sponsoring a Charter Amendment that put the question of whether or not to create the Youth Commission to the voters of New Orleans. The purpose of this commission would be to advise the New Orleans City Council and the Mayor on "the effects of legislative policies, needs, assessments, priorities, programs, and budgets concerning the children and youth of New Orleans.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
The energy cost burden for low-income households in New Orleans is 18.9 percent. As utility regulators the New Orleans City Council can and must do more to advance equity. As a regulator of the city’s utilities I will investigate closely the value, or lack thereof, that the current advisors provide not only to the Council itself, but to New Orleans ratepayers. Moratoriums on rate increases should be put in place until the company is held accountable, and support for community-driven solutions and a more climate-resilient power system In addition to the guidance of the advisors, I am interested in increasing accesses to community input by residents and other stakeholders, to ensure that rates are fair and affordable for New Orleans ratepayers
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
Solving our affordable housing crisis isn’t just about building more housing. We must solve for substandard conditions, and we must address our eviction crisis. We must solve for substandard conditions as there are too many people renting places that aren’t kept up. Much of our cheap housing (“affordable”) isn’t well maintained, leaving tenants in dangerous conditions yet, if they call code enforcement they can get evicted. I want to support passage of an anti-retaliation ordinance, so that tenants can call code enforcement when they need to, without concern about losing their home. A rental registry solves some of our issues with substandard housing by providing an affirmative inspection process for all rentals. Although there are mixed reviews on rental registries in other places, but it might be the only option for us to improve local housing standards because state law is so limiting. I think we can craft a solution that works for New Orleans, and I hope advocates would want to be part of the solution to create a rental registry that works here. We also have an eviction crisis that must be addressed. The data on evictions is appalling, and disproportionately impacts Black women and their children. That’s because so many heads of household are women, and among evicted households overwhelmingly African American. This is a very personal issue for me and super critical to the constituents of District D which has a population of more than 30% reflective of this profile. There are lots of ways we can do this. First, we must pass an anti-retaliation ordinance so that tenants living in substandard conditions can report health & safety violations. Second, the City’s rental assistance program has done a great job of connecting the courts, legal services, and rental relief funds. We need to make that a model going forward and, expand to meet even more tenants…including those that may not have access to legal services. I think the courts are aware of the issues and trying to be a good partner, now City Council needs to do the same. Solving our eviction crisis will help solve our affordable housing. Truthfully, we Need More Housing and I support efforts to increase our citywide development goals by ensuring the Neighborhood Housing Improvement Fund (NHIF) remains intact. I support full implementation of the Smart Housing Mix, to best utilize zoning policy to increase access to affordable housing and I support the Finance Authority’s innovative efforts like green mortgages and other financing structures that leverage capital investments in affordable housing while also making housing “greener” and thus more affordable to live in.
Mariah Moore
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
While we oppose increasing property taxes at this time, as many homeowners are struggling from the impacts of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida and these costs are often passed on to renters. We are committed to identifying other funding streams for early childhood programs.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
City Council members should work with the Office of Neighborhood Engagement to once again host town halls (virtually or in person, pandemic-permitting) in each council district where budgeting items are discussed with neighbors. As a councilmember, our office would also survey residents on their budgeting priorities. My priorities include a fully-funded relocation for residents of Gordon Plaza, allocating more public funds to affordable housing, funding of an infrastructure maintenance fund so our streets can be maintained, and increasing enforcement of short-term rental regulations.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
Our budgeting process needs to be done in the light of day. I will seek a seat on the budget committee and request that the administration provide detailed explanations for the line items in the budget. The current categories presented in the proposed budget each year do not really tell the story of how our funds are actually being used. If elected, I will ensure that the budgeting proposals actually show, transparently, where the money is going and that the Council communicates that information to constituents.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
This is one of my highest priorities as a councilmember because I know what is like to have to navigate these systems without adequate support. Furthermore, since there is such a profound need, it would be almost criminal to leave matching funds on the table. The program should be fully funded for those who are most in need of these services. I cannot think of a better way to fight crime in the future then take care of our children in the present. Hopefully we will also have some help coming from Washington soon in the upcoming spending bill but regardless, this must be seen as essential. Whether it's housing or childcare, we have to stop waitlisting our most important services.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I would favor an amendment to the City Charter to make the Office of Youth and Families an attached department, and provide for these Advisory Boards/Task Forces in the enabling ordinance when such a charter amendment is passed by voters.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Entergy has failed to invest their profits into sustainable infrastructure and as a result, residents died. My most important job is to protect our residents. I will use every bit of leverage I can to ensure that Entergy updates their infrastructure and will not vote to approve any rate hike that puts that burden on our residents, who have already seen astronomical increases in the costs of their utilities. Period.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
As a director of an organization that provides affordable housing to marginalized residents this will be a high priority for my office. I will fight to fund additional staff to enforce our current short-term rental laws, I will propose expanding short-term rental carveouts in other overtouristed neighborhoods such as the Treme and the 7th Ward, I will fight to increase the required number of affordable units in new developments and advocate for the City to identify funding streams that provide reliable and consistent dollars that go directly towards the creation and development of affordable housing units. I will also review our land use policies to ensure that they promote affordability and a high quality of life.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
While we oppose increasing property taxes at this time, as many homeowners are struggling from the impacts of COVID-19 and Hurricane Ida and these costs are often passed on to renters. We are committed to identifying other funding streams for early childhood programs.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
City Council members should work with the Office of Neighborhood Engagement to once again host town halls (virtually or in person, pandemic-permitting) in each council district where budgeting items are discussed with neighbors. As a councilmember, our office would also survey residents on their budgeting priorities. My priorities include a fully-funded relocation for residents of Gordon Plaza, allocating more public funds to affordable housing, funding of an infrastructure maintenance fund so our streets can be maintained, and increasing enforcement of short-term rental regulations.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
Our budgeting process needs to be done in the light of day. I will seek a seat on the budget committee and request that the administration provide detailed explanations for the line items in the budget. The current categories presented in the proposed budget each year do not really tell the story of how our funds are actually being used. If elected, I will ensure that the budgeting proposals actually show, transparently, where the money is going and that the Council communicates that information to constituents.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
This is one of my highest priorities as a councilmember because I know what is like to have to navigate these systems without adequate support. Furthermore, since there is such a profound need, it would be almost criminal to leave matching funds on the table. The program should be fully funded for those who are most in need of these services. I cannot think of a better way to fight crime in the future then take care of our children in the present. Hopefully we will also have some help coming from Washington soon in the upcoming spending bill but regardless, this must be seen as essential. Whether it's housing or childcare, we have to stop waitlisting our most important services.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
I would favor an amendment to the City Charter to make the Office of Youth and Families an attached department, and provide for these Advisory Boards/Task Forces in the enabling ordinance when such a charter amendment is passed by voters.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
Entergy has failed to invest their profits into sustainable infrastructure and as a result, residents died. My most important job is to protect our residents. I will use every bit of leverage I can to ensure that Entergy updates their infrastructure and will not vote to approve any rate hike that puts that burden on our residents, who have already seen astronomical increases in the costs of their utilities. Period.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
As a director of an organization that provides affordable housing to marginalized residents this will be a high priority for my office. I will fight to fund additional staff to enforce our current short-term rental laws, I will propose expanding short-term rental carveouts in other overtouristed neighborhoods such as the Treme and the 7th Ward, I will fight to increase the required number of affordable units in new developments and advocate for the City to identify funding streams that provide reliable and consistent dollars that go directly towards the creation and development of affordable housing units. I will also review our land use policies to ensure that they promote affordability and a high quality of life.
Cyndi Nguyen
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
Community Engagement is part of all of my work since i have been in office. I do plan to bring this concern to the administration per our Budget Committee.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
As a councilmember, i have hosted budget education meeting with community members to gain insight from them on what matters to them.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I have been very supportive to ensure quality seats are created for our young children. In addition to allocating funding, i have also passed a text amendment to allow a child care center as a conditional use as part of the CZO.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
We need to explore passing a ballot item to get voters to support this work as part of the city charter.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
We need to explore resiliency model through green & smart investment to help reduce energy cost for our families.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I continue to support and to build new developments as well as to address developments that are not meeting the housing standards.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
Yes
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
Yes
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
Yes
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
Community Engagement is part of all of my work since i have been in office. I do plan to bring this concern to the administration per our Budget Committee.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
As a councilmember, i have hosted budget education meeting with community members to gain insight from them on what matters to them.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I have been very supportive to ensure quality seats are created for our young children. In addition to allocating funding, i have also passed a text amendment to allow a child care center as a conditional use as part of the CZO.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
We need to explore passing a ballot item to get voters to support this work as part of the city charter.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
We need to explore resiliency model through green & smart investment to help reduce energy cost for our families.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I continue to support and to build new developments as well as to address developments that are not meeting the housing standards.
Michon Copelin
1) When presented with issues and/or policies that have disproportionate negative impacts on communities of color, will you try to directly address those racial equity issues through policy and resources, or will you take a “race-neutral” approach?
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
No
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
#4- there are many other ways to fund child care and other educational programs to not have to increase property taxes #5- should’ve equal partners #8 - Mental Health is a priority of mine. However, the courts have made a decision on this already. Elected officials do not have a role in this. Jail is not a place for Mental Health rehabilitation
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
This is one of the largest fiscal relief payments the city has ever seen. Everything spent must be done in a transparent manner with significant accountability on outcomes. Budget stabilization is a critical part of this. The City must use the funds first to replace much needed funding that has been lost due to Covid. Once that's done, the council and mayor must open the dialogue with the community through a series of townhall meetings, a very detailed website and an interactive platform that allows citizens to offer ideas and hopes. One of the most pressing possible uses for the funding should be to invest in infrastructure improvements and possible transformation projects that offer economic growth potential.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
New Orleans government officials should be more accountable and inclusive when budgeting. They talk a good game on transparency but budget in the shadows. The council at least tried to shine the light on spending. If I am elected, I am going to call for a budget summit - a series of public meetings to educate the public on spending needs and wants. I will recommend that the summit be available online for everyone to access at a moment's notice. My plan would call for interactive platforms that allow citizens to offer ideas in real time online discussions.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I will aggressively pursue Child Care and Development Fund block grants. I will recommend a use of blended funding that includes federal aid, the state funding formula and possibly instituting some corporate tax credits to those businesses that help fund tuition based programs. I will also establish CitySmart, an initiative that includes the city's highest earning companies to help create a learning network that seeks funding for high-quality, accessible early childhood education.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
The problem with many of those ideas is that they are only ideas. They don't begin with a plan or goal. We must plan and budget for the outcomes we want. I would like for the city to develop a program that would allow students from high school to college to offer their visions of the city of tomorrow. We should team with universities in our city to see if we can create the ideas that are on paper and transform them into thriving projects. But if we are going to care about our kids, we must first be willing to listen to our kids. Let's open our ears and minds and let new ideas take flight.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
I am not sold on the idea that the City of New Orleans should be in the regulatory business. It is a complicated business and we need regulators who know how to fight for lower rates through better financing, securitization, grid management, future purchasing, and more. We can look across any of the parish lines to our neighbors and their ratepayers are paying as much as 20% less for utilities than we are. I want a complete study done on whether we would be better served under the Louisiana Public Service Commission. It's been a long time since the Grand Gulf debacle. I am convinced measures are in place to better protect ratepayers.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I support the concept of developing a New Orleans Affordable Housing Trust Fund that allows non-profit community developers to contribute to the fund. Not long ago, the City of Austin approved a $250 affordable housing bond initiative. We may need to do the same. Finally, we may have become so landlocked that it is time to go vertical and offer developers tax credits to keep a percentage of their developments for affordable housing units.
Directly address racial equity
2) The City of New Orleans recently passed ordinances to ensure all city workers, workers on city contracts, and all workers connected to public money make $15 an hour. Will you use your power to ensure that these $15 minimum wage laws are enforced?
Yes
3) In order to reduce crime, would you vote for a budget that shifts funding from police and incarceration to expand our definition of public safety to include increased investment in education, mental healthcare, infrastructure, equitable economic opportunity, and similar systems and programs?
Yes
4) Would you support a small increase to New Orleans property taxes, or another similar tax increase, to fund early care and education programs in the city?
No
5) Do you believe local governments should have control over the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) tax credits?
No
6) Do you believe the current system of funding our court system primarily through criminal fines and fees, known as the user-pay system, needs to be reformed--e.g., state and/or local governments should set aside more dedicated funding for courts?
Yes
7) Will you commit to making airbnb and local hotels provide 10% of their vacant properties or rooms to house unhoused community members?
No
8) Do you support building the Phase 3 jail?
No
9) Would you support an ordinance that bars New Orleans government agencies from producing, or co-producing, television shows- including NOPD, EMS, and OPSO- with people who are unable to give consent?
Yes
10) Will you commit to keeping political gerrymandering out of this year’s local redistricting process?
Yes
This is the end of the multiple choice question section. If you would like to elaborate on any of your answers, please use this section to do so.
#4- there are many other ways to fund child care and other educational programs to not have to increase property taxes #5- should’ve equal partners #8 - Mental Health is a priority of mine. However, the courts have made a decision on this already. Elected officials do not have a role in this. Jail is not a place for Mental Health rehabilitation
11) New Orleans has been allocated $388M of Federal COVID relief dollars through the American Rescue Plan. Half ($194M) arrived in spring 2021, and the other half is expected in spring 2022. That money is intended to help the City roll out public health resources, replace lost tax revenue, provide economic relief and stability, and respond to the inequities exposed by COVID; and cities are required to engage the community to develop their spending plan. Despite this requirement, the City's plan for allocating the first $194M this year was made without any community involvement. If elected, how would you engage community members in the plan for the second allocation? What would your priorities be?
This is one of the largest fiscal relief payments the city has ever seen. Everything spent must be done in a transparent manner with significant accountability on outcomes. Budget stabilization is a critical part of this. The City must use the funds first to replace much needed funding that has been lost due to Covid. Once that's done, the council and mayor must open the dialogue with the community through a series of townhall meetings, a very detailed website and an interactive platform that allows citizens to offer ideas and hopes. One of the most pressing possible uses for the funding should be to invest in infrastructure improvements and possible transformation projects that offer economic growth potential.
12) The City Budget is a moral document-- where we spend our tax dollars is directly related to our city’s ability to provide services and meet residents' needs. The current budget process does not create a meaningful opportunity for residents to express their priorities. The existing process is held once most of the decisions have already been finalized, and very few residents participate. If elected, how would you ensure residents are engaged in the budget process, especially those residents who are often excluded from City decisions? How would you ensure that the City remains accountable to the community needs expressed in the budget?
New Orleans government officials should be more accountable and inclusive when budgeting. They talk a good game on transparency but budget in the shadows. The council at least tried to shine the light on spending. If I am elected, I am going to call for a budget summit - a series of public meetings to educate the public on spending needs and wants. I will recommend that the summit be available online for everyone to access at a moment's notice. My plan would call for interactive platforms that allow citizens to offer ideas in real time online discussions.
13) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has invested a cumulative total of $8.25M towards quality early care and education for low-income families and their children. This investment has created and grown the City Seats Program, which now leverages matching dollars from the State of Louisiana and federal funding to provide high-quality, full-day, year-round early care and education for 377 children, but leaves thousands of children who need it without access. In addition, each year, however, it is uncertain if this investment will be able to be continued and sustained in the City budget. This is disruptive to families and educators and falls well short of families’ need for quality, reliable early care and education so parents can work. What are your plans to increase access to a quality early education for our city’s young children and ensure there is reliable long-term funding for it?
I will aggressively pursue Child Care and Development Fund block grants. I will recommend a use of blended funding that includes federal aid, the state funding formula and possibly instituting some corporate tax credits to those businesses that help fund tuition based programs. I will also establish CitySmart, an initiative that includes the city's highest earning companies to help create a learning network that seeks funding for high-quality, accessible early childhood education.
14) Since 2018, the City of New Orleans has taken steps to make children and young people a priority for City Hall. There is now a Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families, a Mayor’s Youth Advisory Council, a Child-Friendly Budgeting Task Force of City Council, and several City Council resolutions related to young people having a voice in issues that impact their lives in the City. None of these efforts, however, has any long-term structure to ensure they continue. If elected, how would you make sure that children and youth are a long-term priority for City Hall, regardless of who is in office?
The problem with many of those ideas is that they are only ideas. They don't begin with a plan or goal. We must plan and budget for the outcomes we want. I would like for the city to develop a program that would allow students from high school to college to offer their visions of the city of tomorrow. We should team with universities in our city to see if we can create the ideas that are on paper and transform them into thriving projects. But if we are going to care about our kids, we must first be willing to listen to our kids. Let's open our ears and minds and let new ideas take flight.
15) New Orleans City Council is unique in that it is the regulatory body for Entergy New Orleans. There are community concerns about rising Entergy costs, particularly following Hurricane Ida. How will you ensure that communities do not bear the brunt of corporate costs?
I am not sold on the idea that the City of New Orleans should be in the regulatory business. It is a complicated business and we need regulators who know how to fight for lower rates through better financing, securitization, grid management, future purchasing, and more. We can look across any of the parish lines to our neighbors and their ratepayers are paying as much as 20% less for utilities than we are. I want a complete study done on whether we would be better served under the Louisiana Public Service Commission. It's been a long time since the Grand Gulf debacle. I am convinced measures are in place to better protect ratepayers.
16) There is a housing crisis in New Orleans that has been made even more visible by COVID-19. There are 54,314 extremely low-income households, but only 18,696 units available that are affordable to them— just 34 affordable units available in the city for every 100 extremely low-income families. In addition to lack of affordable housing, utilities costs are increasing as a result of old infrastructure and storms. What are your plans to increase housing availability and affordability in New Orleans?
I support the concept of developing a New Orleans Affordable Housing Trust Fund that allows non-profit community developers to contribute to the fund. Not long ago, the City of Austin approved a $250 affordable housing bond initiative. We may need to do the same. Finally, we may have become so landlocked that it is time to go vertical and offer developers tax credits to keep a percentage of their developments for affordable housing units.
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