Landrieu reforms budget process

Mayor Mitch Landrieu issued an executive order yesterday in City Council chambers to create a more “transparent and accountable process” for producing the annual budget.
Responding to criticisms of the previous administration’s budgeting process, Landrieu promised to obtain community input in determining budget priorities, and to provide more informative descriptions of revenue sources and the purpose… »

Case Study: How NolaStat can improve constituent relations in City Hall

A list of the most common complaints submitted to City Council Members:
1) Street lights.
2) Water Leaks—which go to S&WB, a state run and controlled entity.
3) Potholes.
4) Drainage Problems, i.e. drains not working.
5) Billing complaints concerning S&WB, Entergy, and taxes, e.g., overcharging, late charges, etc.
6) Illegal dumping —- e.g. tires, trash.
7) Zoning complaints, i.e., businesses or… »

Election map: How Guidry defeated Batt

The key to Susan Guidry’s victory over Jay Batt was two-fold:
1) Batt lost more voters between the primary and the runoff elections. Turnout remained stronger for Guidry than for Batt.
2) Guidry gained voters in a number of precincts — including precincts where Batt ran strong in the primary — and most notably in Lakeview precincts,… »

Election map: Susan Guidry defeats Jay Batt in District A runoff

Attorney and neighborhood organizer Susan Guidry soundly defeated Jay Batt in the March 6th runoff for the District A City Council seat. Guidry earned roughly 3200 more votes than her opponent, ending Batt’s attempt to regain the seat after he was defeated by Shelley Midura in 2006.
The election result was consistent with predictions made after… »

As we cheer on the Saints in the playoffs, it’s worth remembering …

It’s worth remembering that Arnie Fielkow’s leadership was key to keeping the Saints in New Orleans.
“As a former six-year, executive vice president of the NFL’s New Orleans Saints, I served as the lead negotiator who finalized a key, long-term contract between the Saints and the state of Louisiana —leading ultimately to our prized team’s longevity… »

Listen to the City Council District A candidate forum

Hosted by WVUE reporter, Lee Zurik. The District A City Council candidates are Jay Batt, Virginia Blanque, Suzie Guidry, and Fred Robertson.
Candidate messages consistent with a NolaStat reform:

Virginia Blanque offered that a new police chief should exercise the best practices learned from other cities in combatting the crime problem in New Orleans, link strategies to… »

To the Fielkow family: Thank you

Thank you for allowing Arnie to run for City Council again.
I know you must realize how important his leadership on the Council has been over the last four years, and how important it is to the citizens of New Orleans that he continue to show his leadership in making City Hall more… »

How New Orleans spends your tax dollars

Does this chart reflect your priorities?

Council Members Shelley Midura and Stacy Head hosted a budget town hall meeting last night. Among the strongest points made was that the lack of community participation in the budget process may have led to a misalignment of expenditures with respect to community priorities.
See the town hall Powerpoint… »

Upcoming City Council budget meetings

A schedule of upcoming City Council budget meetings:

Thursday, Oct. 29, 2PM – Budget Committee Meeting
Friday, Oct. 30, 10AM – Mayor presents his budget

Budget hearings begin, Nov. 6, 9:30AM: Throughout month of November, departmental budget committee hearings during day in City Council chambers.

Weekly Budget Review Sessions with Councilmembers Head & Midura:

Wednesday, November 11th, 7:00 PM, City… »

How do we live within our means without cutting essential city programs and services?

The public has been invited to City Council chambers tonight to comment on what the city’s budget priorities should be:
As you know, during the month of November the Council will undergo the harrowing process of adopting the 2010 budget, AND we are facing a nearly $68 million deficit based on the 2009 budget.
I am writing… »