New Orleans
Candidate Survey

Topic: Child Care

1. Do you support using local public funding (e.g., property tax revenue) and/or public–private partnerships to expand affordable child care and after-school programs in underserved New Orleans neighborhoods, including in low-income, multilingual, and working-class households?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Children are first

Matthew Hill

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Our kids are our future and as a community we must come together for our kids. As a mother of 6 year old twins, I know how hard it is to find childcare between that 6 month to Kindergarten age range - available seats are few and far between, even if you have resources. We do not do enough as a City to help working parents and if we want people to stay here, we need to invest in our kids and our families every step of the way.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - High Priority

"Practical steps to move this forward with 1A and 1B 1. **Stakeholder mapping and needs assessment to begin with in the first 100 days** - Engage families, providers, schools, faith-based groups, and local businesses to identify gaps and priorities. 2. **Feasibility analysis:** - Model different funding mixes (property tax revenue, general fund, bonds, PPPs) and estimate costs, benefits, and sustainability. 3. **Policy framework drafting:** - Develop a program playbook outlining eligibility, pricing, quality standards, reporting, and oversight. 4. **Community engagement and transparency:** - Host town halls, multilingual information sessions, and open comment periods to build legitimacy. 5. **Pilot programs with clear metrics:** - Start small in a few neighborhoods to test operations, then scale based on results. 6. **Legal and governance review:** - Ensure compliance with state and local laws on taxes, procurement, and PPP arrangements; establish independent oversight."

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

It would depend on the underserved neighborhoods, as well as where the funding would com from to expand affordable child care & after-school programs.

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

Expanding affordable childcare and after-school programs is the highest priority for working parents. Adding a selective element and a draw on tax revenue where shortages already exist is a lower priority.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

Investing in affordable childcare and after-school programs is essential for supporting working families, particularly in low-income and multilingual communities. These programs help children thrive academically and socially while allowing parents to work with peace of mind. I will prioritize partnerships with local organizations to expand access.

Topic: Healthcare

2. With recent cuts to Medicaid, medical and mental health care is at risk for thousands of New Orleans residents. How will you, a Mayor, work with the Louisiana Department of Health to protect Medicaid benefits to the best of your ability?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Work with Baton Rouge to security Medicaid and request funding to expand the need for mental health services

Matthew Hill

The state needs to step in and do its part however I believe that we need to specifically have a buiding thtat is committed to mental health, one that can be a hub of education as well as rehabilitation. I believe that with the redevelopment of Charity Hospital we need to make sure that a large portion is dedicated to mental health.

Leilani Heno

As a councilmember, I would work with the Louisiana Department of Health to make sure New Orleanians do not lose access to Medicaid. I would push for better coordination between local hospitals, clinics, and community groups so people can still get care even if state funding is cut. The City should also help residents understand what benefits are available and make sure no one is left out. This is especially important for disabled residents who often rely on Medicaid for both health care and daily support.

Bob Murrell

First we need to measure the scope of those affected & work with LDH to identify people within Orleans Parish who are on Medicaid that can receive additional support from the New Orleans Health Department. Next, we need to fund programming to augment or potentially replace Medicaid, and work with local hospitals to create an agreement where they are able to handle patients at the previously negotiated Medicaid rates and coverage. Our large healthcare providers do not pay property taxes on their massive tracts of land, and it provides an opportunity to either collect parcel fees to fund this programming or use it as leverage for hospitals to formally take patients and bill them at the covered rates Medicaid has had previously.

Kelsey Foster

I would work closely with LDH to ensure Medicaid enrollment assistance is fully available in New Orleans, support outreach in multiple languages, and advocate for protecting eligibility. Locally, the City can partner with clinics and nonprofits to expand access to care and mental health services.

Nathaniel Jones

Prioritize working class people, and let the State know that it cannot function without healthy working class folks. Create programs to improve the health of others.

Cyndi Nguyen

As a City Council member, I will work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health to advocate for protecting Medicaid access for New Orleans residents. I will push for stronger partnerships with local providers, expand outreach so families don’t lose coverage due to red tape, and fight to ensure vulnerable residents continue receiving the medical and mental health care they need.

Alex Mossing

As a councilmember, I can ensure that the city prioritzes funding our own local health department to help fill in gaps that may remain. More importantly, I can collaborate with our local delegation to the state legislature to focus on protecting Medicaid benefits for all vulnerable populations with the philosophy that "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure," and our state will be financially more stable if we provide adequate healthcare to all rather than leaving the situation to deteriorate into a potential crisis. Finally, I will partner with our delegates at the federal level, including Rep. Scalise, Sen. Cassidy, and Sen. Kennedy to advocate for the needs of New Orleans residents.

Holly Friedman

Cuts to Medicaid put thousands of New Orleanians at risk. As a councilmember, I will work with LDH to expand outreach and enrollment support, protect safety-net providers, and advocate at the Capitol. My focus will be making sure families keep coverage and that mental health care remains a top priority for our city.

Willie Morgan

"As a City Council member, I would prioritize collaboration with the Louisiana Department of Health to ensure that Medicaid benefits remain accessible to all New Orleans residents who rely on them. While the state manages Medicaid, the City can play a critical role in advocacy, outreach, and education—making sure residents know their rights, how to maintain coverage, and how to access available services. I would also work to coordinate local resources, including mental health providers and community organizations, to fill gaps when coverage or services are at risk. Protecting access to medical and mental health care is essential for the well-being of our families, and I am committed to using my voice, partnerships, and policy influence to safeguard these critical benefits for our community."

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

As a councilmember, I will use the Council’s platform to fight alongside the Louisiana Department of Health and community advocates to protect Medicaid benefits. That means passing resolutions in support of expanded Medicaid access, holding public hearings to elevate the voices of impacted residents, and collaborating with LDH to connect more residents to enrollment assistance. I’ll also push for the city to expand funding for neighborhood-based clinics and mobile health units to fill gaps when state support falls short. Medicaid isn’t just a benefit; it’s a lifeline, and I will work to make sure New Orleanians don’t lose access to critical care.

Aimee McCarron

This is a situation where it is all hands on deck from elected officials in New Orleans to show a united front in Baton Rouge and in DC. We as a Council, Mayor, School Board, all need to stand with our Orleans delegation at the state level and the federal level, to work together in an effort to protect Medicaid benefits and explain WHY. It is not just New Orleans that is impacted by this it is across the state, so working together on how we can educate other elected officials and residents on how they will be impacted is super important. I think all too often, please across our state view these things as a "New Orleans problem" when in reality, these cuts impacts residents all over. From my time as policy and budget director for Councilmember Giarrusso, I have had the opportunity to work with our state legislators and our federal officials, along with many advocacy groups, so I have built relationships with people already and plan to grow these and be a partner to get things done for the people of New Orleans and our state.

Rev. Gregory Manning

"First, I would advocate at the state legislative level against any and all Medicaid cuts. However, if cuts do come down, I believe the city should offer more free public health services at community centers and other public buildings, no questions asked. I would never cut funding to such services and would seek to increase funding whenever possible. I would be interested in exploring a millage campaign to create new funding for local health and human services programs. I would also prioritize funding for physical and mental health services over reactive and ineffective police activities that often serve as inadequate substitutes for health care."

Delisha Boyd

".Key actions for a New Orleans city council member Create a Medicaid Protection Working Group** Include 2–3 council members, an LDH liaison, health department reps, providers, and a resident advocate Biweekly check-ins; quarterly public updates Demand strong oversight from LDH** Seek regular briefings on eligibility, renewals, waivers, and funding Request advance materials and impact analyses before changes Protect access and providers** Advocate for continuous eligibility, simple renewals, broad provider networks, and mental health coverage Ensure telehealth parity and adequate reimbursement Enroll and inform residents** Fund/partner with organizations for in-person and virtual enrollment help Launch multilingual, plain-language outreach on benefits and appeals Public data and transparency** Create a simple dashboard: enrollment, renewals, disenrollments, and service access Hold public hearings to gather community input Plan for contingencies** Identify local safety-net supports (transport, medications, temp vouchers) Explore federal waivers and/or targeted funding to preserve services with our federal partners."

Gavin Richard

Advocate on behalf of New Orleans residents to get more monies to underserved areas and residents who rely on Medicaid benefits.

Eliot Barron

I always appreciated the term shuttle diplomacy. I think we must amplify the call or echo the need and deliver the message in person or by proxy. I'll go places, meet people and try to change hearts and minds. Meanwhile we need to seek whole health, wellness, preventative type remedies to the malaise. We need to fully fund EMS, staff the Health Department etc.

Belden Batiste

"I will work closely with the Louisiana Department of Health to ensure Medicaid cuts do not hurt New Orleans residents. As councilman, I will advocate for city partnerships that expand community-based health clinics, mental health services, and mobile care programs. Collaboration with hospitals, nonprofits, and state officials is critical to protecting our most vulnerable residents."

3. The New Orleans city government has dedicated $1.3 million to buying back medical debt from Acadian, Ochsner, and LCMC in partnership with Undue Medical Debt. Would you support additional partnerships with other medical companies/providers from which Undue Medical Debt could recover debt?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

LCMC doing a great Job

Matthew Hill

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

I worked for Councilmember Giarrusso during the budget process for the American Rescue Plan Act money we used for this purpose and I have seen the impact it has made for people. I definitely want to see how we can continue doing this as it can have a major impact on reducing the cost of living for our residents.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - Medium Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - N/A

"I am committed to reducing medical debt burdens for New Orleans residents and will explore additional partnerships if they meet need and stay within the budget. Any new partnerships will be evaluated against strict criteria: need, impact, ethics, transparency, and budget alignment. Our goal is to maximize public benefit while safeguarding fiscal responsibility and patient protections."

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

I would try and work on building relationships with private entities and individuals whoh are open to work on providing medical care in certain communities. It would also be good to perhaps have an audit on what happened to the undue medical debt.

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

Relieving crushing medical debt is a high priority and creativity is required. I take pause at a cash equivalent to a drop in the medical debt bucket as perhaps not the best use of the cash drop. For that and other reasons not my top priority. Wish we had single payer national health, since you ask.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

Medical debt is a barrier to stability for many New Orleanians. Expanding partnerships with providers to relieve this burden will help families regain financial footing and focus on their health and future.

Topic: Housing & Homelessness

4. Do you support the creation of a city-funded Emergency Rental Assistance program to assist homeless families and individuals in New Orleans in the face of continued funding cuts to vouchers and long wait lists?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

We need rental assistance Let's fight for the Rental Assistance program

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Our city is losing significant numbers of residents because of an affordable housing crisis. We need to implement solutions immediately to prevent residents from becoming homeless and to alleviate this crisis as we work towards a longer term solution.

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

I support creating a city-funded Emergency Rental Assistance program. With voucher funding cuts and long wait lists, too many families are at risk of homelessness. A local program would provide immediate stability, reduce strain on shelters, and keep more residents safely housed while we work toward long-term affordable housing solutions.

Willie Morgan

Y - Medium Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

With voucher wait lists stretching years and federal cuts worsening the crisis, the city must step up. An Emergency Rental Assistance program will prevent families from falling into homelessness and stabilize those already struggling. This is a top priority because keeping people housed is the most effective and dignified way to reduce homelessness.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - N/A

As a City Council member, I recognize the urgent need to protect our residents from eviction and homelessness as voucher funding declines and wait lists grow. Given our current fiscal landscape and the demonstrated need in New Orleans, I support the creation of a targeted, city-funded Emergency Rental Assistance program designed to rapidly stabilize housing for homeless families and individuals most at risk. This program would be designed with transparent governance, clear eligibility, and strong oversight, and would coordinate with state and federal funding streams to maximize impact while maintaining fiscal accountability. By acting now, we can provide immediate relief, prevent displacement, and establish a sustainable framework that scales with available resources and aligns with broader housing stability goals for our community.

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

I do support assisting homeless individuals and families in New Orleans, if the money is there to support them. Yes. I think there should be programs to assist in certain circumstances.

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

Assisting homeless families and individuals is a high priority. I stopped to talk with a special case who sleeps naked in the sidewalk during the day. My intent was to remind him that he doesn't live there but his response was it is till they give me an apartment. I think paying some peoples' rent but not others is not the highest priority for a bankrupt operation.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

Rental assistance is crucial for preventing homelessness. A city-funded program will provide a safety net for families who face eviction due to rising costs and federal voucher shortages.

5. Do you support either

A) allocating local public funding for the anti-displacement fund to allow tenants to move out of rental units in violation of the Healthy Homes ordinance, OR

B) - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

B) - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

A)

"My stance and rationale I support allocating public funding (A) to the anti-displacement fund, especially for the most vulnerable. - Explanation of A & B: - Public health and housing justice principles prioritize safe, healthy living environments and the right to housing without being forced to remain in unhealthy conditions. - An anti-displacement fund provides a proactive, targeted solution that helps tenants exit unsafe situations without risking loss of shelter, which is critical for vulnerable populations. - It avoids the potential equity and enforcement challenges inherent in rent withholding schemes, such as retaliation, eviction risk, and disputes over who bears the financial burden during remediation. - It complements, rather than duplicates, the existing abatement framework (e.g., Housing Authority of New Orleans’ rent withholding after repeated violations) by offering a dedicated pathway for relocation and stabilization. - detailed B (or at least why not as a primary tool): - Rent withholding as a remedy can expose tenants to eviction or retaliation and requires robust legal protections, enforcement capacity, and tenant education. - It shifts financial risk onto tenants at a vulnerable moment, potentially exacerbating housing instability. - It may deter landlords from accepting tenants in the first place or lead to less maintenance if landlords anticipate withholding as a common tactic. Practical recommendations -A: - Define eligibility tightly (violation type, severity, income limits, documentation). - Establish funding sources (local budget, state grants, federal programs, or public-private partnerships). - Create a transparent governance structure with tenant representation, service providers, and oversight. - Align with the existing abatement process to ensure coordination and avoid duplication of efforts. - Include accountability metrics: time-to-move, number of households assisted, health outcomes, and tenant satisfaction. B (as a secondary option or pilot): - Require a formal court or administrative process to establish violations and fines, with a defined remediation window (e.g., 30 days) before withholding becomes permissible. - Implement strong anti-retaliation provisions and tenant protections against eviction for nonpayment resulting from withholding. - Set caps and clear documentation standards to prevent abuse. - Consider a pilot program to assess impacts before broader adoption."

Gavin Richard

B) - Medium Priority

I believe there should be legislation allowing tenant to withhold rent against certain landlords and slumlords who violate the ordinance, and fail to rectify the situation. However, it should also be on a case by case basis.

Eliot Barron

B) - Medium Priority

Adding a provision for renters to take action against landlords who have been guilty and remain in violation of codes and ethics is a high priority. It is less important to me that the city allocate funds which have barely begun to accrue for past due rental unit upgrades.

Belden Batiste

A) - High Priority

"Families should not be forced to stay in unhealthy or unsafe homes. Supporting the anti-displacement fund ensures tenants can move to safe housing without retaliation or financial ruin."

6. Would you increase budget allocations to solve and prevent homelessness by investing in shelter beds AND permanent supportive housing, transitional and rapid rehousing, rental assistance, and subsidized housing units?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Have a program to help the homelessness get back on their feet

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - Medium Priority

We have seen a decrease in homelessness due to proactive policies like the ones described here. Continuing to implement these programs will help us address this issue effectively.

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

I support increasing budget allocations to both address immediate needs and invest in long-term housing solutions. Expanding shelter beds provides urgent relief, but lasting progress comes from permanent supportive housing, transitional and rapid rehousing, rental assistance, and subsidized units. A comprehensive approach ensures we not only reduce homelessness today but also prevent it in the future.

Willie Morgan

Y - Medium Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

We can’t address homelessness with shelters alone. We must build permanent supportive housing, expand rapid rehousing, and invest in wraparound services like mental health care. I will fight for a comprehensive housing-first approach that provides both immediate relief and long-term stability.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Yes. A balanced, needs-based mix that includes shelter beds plus permanent housing solutions (PSH, RRH, transitional, rental assistance, and subsidized units) is warranted when there is clear local need and budget capacity. Pair investments with strong services, outcomes measurement, and regular reallocations based on performance.

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

Again, all of that would depend on budget constraints, resources, and a case by case basis. I do believe in investing in shelters for our homeless population, but also I'd like to invest in creating jobs and a strong workforce for them to get into. Also investing in mental health care. Permanent housing shouldn't be the only and ultimate solution to fixing homelessness.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

Addressing shortages of shelter beds and providing supportive housing and rehousing services is a pressing need. Cleaning our downtown sidewalks and streets is separate from solving homelessness and cannot be confused. All we can do is all we can do.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Addressing homelessness requires a full spectrum approach — shelter beds, rapid rehousing, permanent supportive housing, and rental assistance."

7. How will you use each year of your time in office to help prevent continued displacement and address the inflow of new individuals into homelessness, given the city's shortage of 47,000 affordable units?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Turn some of the empty building into live housing

Matthew Hill

Each year in office, I will take a systematic approach to tackling displacement and homelessness by converting blighted properties into livable homes, expanding affordable options through Earned Income Housing, and building pathways out of poverty. In the first year, I’ll prioritize clearing red tape and creating a streamlined process to transfer blighted homes into the hands of responsible owners and nonprofits committed to affordable housing. In the second year, I’ll begin scaling Earned Income Housing programs—where rent payments build equity—to create a sustainable path to ownership for working families. By the third and fourth years, I’ll expand partnerships with developers and community groups to accelerate construction and rehabilitation projects, aiming to chip away steadily at the 47,000-unit shortage. Every step of the way, the focus will be preventing displacement before it happens, keeping New Orleanians in their homes, and ensuring that new housing models work for the people who need them most.

Leilani Heno

Each year in office, I would focus on stopping displacement and creating new housing opportunities. That means protecting tenants with stronger enforcement of housing rules and Healthy Homes standards, expanding rental assistance, and supporting city-funded anti-displacement programs. I would also push for building and rehabbing affordable housing, including permanent supportive, transitional, and subsidized units. By tracking housing needs closely, we can make sure resources go where they are most needed. The goal is to keep people in their homes whenever possible and increase the overall supply of safe, affordable housing so fewer residents end up homeless.

Bob Murrell

There's multiple strategies that can take place in the short-term, medium-term, and long-term. In the short term, creating a rental registry as an alternative to STRs would eliminate the profit incentive and give property owners who need supplemental income can be matched with tenants who want to live here in New Orleans but are looking for short term housing. Having this rental registry require Healthy Homes standards, as well as potentially leverage Housing Trust Fund dollars to supplement costs to help renters who can't fully afford rent. I will rollback exclusionary zoning practices that are preventing more affordable units from being constructed, and work with startup rehabilitation companies that are bringing older housing stock into compliance and ensure they're able to have those units available as affordable housing. It's critical that we enforce the standards of the SMFA program to avoid bad actors like doubles to dorms developers and ensure housing is actually being developed for the intended purpose. Finally, I want to initiate a municipal banking program that can begin to invest into social housing projects and creating community land trusts that will ensure communal ownership and permanently affordable units.

Kelsey Foster

"Each year in office, I will work to expand affordable housing production, strengthen tenant protections, and redirect funds to prevention and rehousing programs. Meeting the 47,000-unit gap requires consistent, multi-year investment and creative use of land, tax credits, and City funding. As the only candidate in my race with economic development experience, I have direct experience in attracting developers with proven track records in affordable housing, and will ensure that opportunity-properties like the Naval Support Center in the Bywater and DeGaulle Manor in Algiers are prioritized for immediate redevelopment."

Nathaniel Jones

Reparations ! Land allocations.

Cyndi Nguyen

Each year in office, I will prioritize increasing affordable housing by pushing for new developments, strengthening tenant protections, and investing in rental assistance. I will also work with nonprofit partners and developers to expand permanent supportive housing and rapid rehousing programs to reduce the inflow into homelessness. Tackling the 47,000-unit shortage requires steady, year-to-year progress and a commitment to keeping residents in their homes.

Alex Mossing

I will use my role as a councilmember to create a strategic plan for the Housing Trust Fund that allocates resources to bonds for developing new units, funds for repairing existing/blighted units, and emergency rental assistance for those facing homelessness.

Holly Friedman

"Preventing displacement and addressing homelessness requires both immediate action and sustained investment. Each year in office, I will: Year 1: Strengthen enforcement of the Healthy Homes ordinance, expand rental assistance, and streamline permitting for affordable housing development. Year 2: Prioritize funding for permanent supportive housing and transitional/rapid rehousing programs, while building stronger partnerships with nonprofits and service providers. Year 3: Advance zoning and land-use reforms to encourage affordable unit development and repurpose vacant/blighted properties for housing. Year 4: Secure long-term funding streams, expand public–private partnerships, and ensure accountability so that progress is measurable and sustained beyond a single term."

Willie Morgan

If elected, I will work to prevent displacement and address homelessness by protecting renters, expanding affordable housing, and investing in programs like eviction prevention and rental assistance. I will collaborate closely with community organizations, developers, and city departments to ensure resources are targeted effectively. My focus will be on both keeping families in their homes and creating new affordable options so all New Orleanians have a safe, stable place to live.

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Each year, I will push for new affordable housing construction through the Housing Trust Fund, expand inclusionary zoning so all developments contribute to affordability, and target blighted properties for reuse as housing. I will strengthen renter protections to stop displacement, expand rental assistance programs, and increase funding for supportive housing. Alongside these, I’ll advocate for mental health, workforce opportunities, and youth services that address root causes of homelessness.

Aimee McCarron

A few things: now that residents passed the Housing Trust Fund, we need to ensure it is funded annually and the funds are being utilized effectively to address the issues and this is a key component in building more affordable units. The city has been a resource for Gap Financing in the past, but because of the way we structure things, we have not put out a notice of financing in over two years and we didn't put any time limits on current projects closing; this has caused projects to be delayed and projects ready to go, left waiting for months. We must address this issue by structuring these financing opportunities better so developers are more aware of any time constraints and we can be more nimble in our approach to moving funding to projects that are ready to go. In addition to building more units, we need to ensure we continue to fund our renters, right to counsel and as mentioned before, continue to implement and monitor Healthy Homes to ensure it is working like it should be and make adjustments if necessary.

Rev. Gregory Manning

"I would work with the assessor and state legislature to secure property tax relief to long-term residents, especially for seniors, in gentrifying neighborhoods, as skyrocketing assessments and the insurance crisis are leading contributors to the massive depopulation of our city. I would also expand protectors for renters to prevent them from being priced out of their longtime neighborhoods. One concrete policy I would pursue would certainly be inclusionary zoning, but I also want to highlight my plan to build permanently affordable housing, such as community land trusts and social housing, on the acres and acres of vacant public lands that have been neglected since housing projects were demolished after Hurricane Katrina. Not only would this provide more affordable housing to allow residents to stay in their neighborhoods, but we could begin to finally make it possible for people who have left our city since Katrina to afford to return to their hometown and their neighborhoods. "

Delisha Boyd

"Year 1: Stabilize current homelessness and stop displacement. Expand low-barrier shelters, center intake, protect residents with anti-displacement tools, build a city homelessness/housing dashboard, and start converting underused spaces into temporary housing. Year 2: Scale housing production and preserve affordability. Accelerate affordable housing development, streamline permits, protect existing units, expand rental subsidies, and bolster income supports and integrated services. Year 3: Transform systems to prevent inflows. Build upstream prevention (rapid rehousing with long-term supports), regional coordination, link housing policy to job creation, and address non-housing drivers (health, mental health, trauma services). Year 4: Institutionalize and scale innovations. Codify anti-displacement and protection policies, sustain multi-year affordable housing pipelines, and refine programs with data-driven metrics. Cross-cutting: Center equity, involve residents, leverage private sector partnerships, and integrate housing stability into emergency/climate resilience planning. Key metrics: homelessness counts and shelter use, unit production/preservation, eviction filings, rent-burden, displacement risk, service outcomes, and equity of access."

Gavin Richard

I'd establish a subcommittee on the inflow of homelessness in our area. Also, look at any studies on homelessness in the area, and what is our overall budget in trying to address that problem as far as the shortage.

Eliot Barron

In the first year, I'd personally meet with the respective authorities from the mayor's office to the community non- profits and the experienced. We'll know who we're working with and what we're working towards. In the second year, we'll maintain encampment free sidewalks, streets, and neutral grounds with supportive services and a no litter policy. In the third year we'll develop training and education opportunities that make New Orleans a destination city for reasons other than you can get away with it here. In the fourth year, we'll look back and ahead to see what works and what doesn't, adjust, and do it again, should my time in office include reelection.

Belden Batiste

"Each year, I will push for investments in affordable housing production, support wrap-around services, and strengthen partnerships with nonprofits addressing homelessness. By year two, I will advocate for more permanent supportive housing units, and by year four, work toward closing the city’s 47,000-unit affordable housing gap."

8. .Would you refuse to criminalize public camping or any other human survival activity related to homelessness?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

NO

You can't discriminate

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - Low Priority

I believe in continuing to employ the use of wrap around services to house citizens in need and to employ mental health response units as needed to address the issue of homelessness. Clearly the Orleans Justice Center is not a place we should be adding people to unecessarily.

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - Medium Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

We cannot criminalize poverty. Criminalizing camping or survival activities only pushes unhoused neighbors deeper into crisis. Instead, I will invest in Housing First solutions, expand access to services, and ensure dignity-based approaches guide our policies.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

"I would discuss and consider humane, rights-respecting approaches to homelessness and related survival activities (such as public camping). The goal would be to balance public safety and neighborhood welfare with the dignity, rights, and immediate needs of people experiencing homelessness. This involves: Recognizing basic human rights: safety, shelter, food, privacy, and treatment with dignity. Prioritizing non-punitive, supportive strategies: rapid housing solutions, access to services, mental health and substance use support, case management, and income assistance. Implementing policies that reduce harm: safe camping options or sanctioned encampments with services, clean water access, sanitation, and security. Minimizing risks to the broader community through infrastructure, risk assessments, and clear guidelines that protect both residents and the public. Fostering collaboration: local government, service providers, communities, and people with lived experience co-designing solutions. Monitoring and evaluation: using data to improve programs and ensure they’re effective and rights-respecting."

Gavin Richard

Y - High Priority

I would not criminalize homelessness and acts of survival related to that because I know how close anyone can be at a moment from living on the streets. Now, that doesn't mean that being homeless is a license to break the law, and certain activities may, or if not already be prohibited, but I don't believe we should waste city resources on public camping either.

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

Public camping and human survival are high priorities for me. Issuing statements of broad clemency are a lower priority as homesteading on public land and some activities related to human survival are inherently criminal. As a community we should not have to accept any and all activity in the public right of way or the commons.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Homelessness is not a crime. We must focus on solutions, not punishment. Criminalizing poverty worsens conditions and creates cycles of incarceration."

9. Would you prohibit the City from entering into contracts or any other arrangements with private corporations that seek to incarcerate, warehouse, commit, or otherwise lock-up people experiencing homelessness?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Warehouse is not the answer to homeliness

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - Medium Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Homelessness is not a crime and must never be used as a business opportunity for private corporations. I will oppose any contracts that warehouse unhoused people and instead prioritize city partnerships that expand housing, services, and pathways to stability.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

"I can advocate to prohibit city contracts with private entities that seek to incarcerate, warehouse, or detain people experiencing homelessness. Promote humane, evidence-based solutions (e.g., housing-first, wraparound services) over punitive confinement. Key messaging: while I can’t single handily prohibit, I can be a strong voice for dignity, public safety, cost-effectiveness, transparency, and accountability."

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

It would depend on the circumstances and it would be on a case by case basis. Based off the question presumptively, I'd be opposed to a business trying to incarcerate homeless people. But I'd need more information about this question.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

Mass incarceration sucks. Privatization of public health is problematic. Mental illness is not a crime. Addiction is real. And so on.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Profit-based incarceration is unjust. Our city should invest in housing and supportive services, not contracts that criminalize and warehouse vulnerable people."

10. Despite dropping their subpoena of organizations serving homeless populations and signing a consent agreement not to seek it again, certain state and local agencies and offices continue to seek information from the Homeless Management Information System. The U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) did not provide guidance that this would be appropriate and the request was dropped, but it is possible a future administration might take it up again. Will you support protecting the privacy of the personally identified client data in the Homeless Management Information System from unnecessary disclosure?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Need a better program

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - Low Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Trust is essential. If unhoused residents believe their personal information will be used against them, they will avoid services. I will protect HMIS data from unnecessary disclosure to ensure it is only used to connect people to housing and care; never to criminalize or punish them.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Protecting the privacy of all residents is high priority but especially those that in more vulnerable

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

Depends on the facts and circumstances. Of course, if there are dangerous people, I would think the pubic may need to know about that person. However, I believe in protecting a person's private information always. I'd need more facts and information, but it is a presumptive yes.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

In the spirit of full disclosure, unnecessary disclosure is a violation of rights and privacy.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Client data must remain confidential. People should not fear that seeking help could expose them to harm. "

Topic: Technology Regulation

11. Do you commit to requiring thorough fact-checking and public disclosure on public communications or decision-making that employs that is informed by generative-AI?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - Medium Priority

Just to make sure it right

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - Medium Priority

This is a matter of professionalism and transparency.

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - Medium Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

AI is a powerful tool, but without oversight it can spread misinformation or be used to mislead the public. I will commit to requiring fact-checking and clear disclosure when AI is used in city communications or decision-making processes. Public trust depends on transparency, and residents have a right to know when AI is being used to shape policies that affect their lives.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Yes - while these technologies can be helpful, it should not be used without fact checking and transparency around when and how it is used. I have had a "no AI" policy during this campaign because I want to ensure my answers are my answers, not suggested policy from AI. That being said, I think this technology is inevitable and useful and will continue to take great care in how it is used and that will be fully transparent.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Gavin Richard

Y - High Priority

AI is formally new concept that is being introduced into the public and legal world. I think the public deserves insight into it.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

Artificial Intelligence is still programmed and user driven. For that and myriad other reasons one must consider the source and be informed when balancing research in the name of development.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Generative AI is powerful but risky. Public communications and decisions must be transparent and fact-based."

12. Would you create/support policy around how businesses in New Orleans can use and must disclose algorithms and Artificial Intelligence to set prices for things like housing (rent), as well as app-based consumer goods and services, like rideshare services?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - Medium Priority

We need strong policy

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - n/a

We can't even manage to enforce our existing policies or to keep our safety and permits or code enforcement offices staffed. This layer of bureaucracy is untenable at this point.

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - Medium Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Unregulated algorithms can lead to hidden discrimination, price-gouging, and unfair barriers to housing and essential services. As a councilmember, I will support policies that require businesses to disclose how AI and algorithms are being used to set prices, particularly in areas like rent and ride-share costs where families are already stretched thin. Technology should serve people, not exploit them, and transparency is key to protecting residents from abusive practices.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Again, if this is being used, it must be transparent.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Yes, it would be prudent to create policies in New Orleans to govern how businesses use and disclose algorithms and AI for pricing, including housing (rent) and app-based services (e.g., ride-sharing). Key considerations would include transparency, fairness, anti-discrimination, consumer protections, data privacy, and enforcement mechanisms.

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

I would need more information, but again, it is a case by case basis.

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

Protecting consumers against corporate greed is a very high priority. Stopping work on other high priority issues to develop policy to disclose algorithms and other models for pricing feels like picking a fight that's hard to win. Deflate prices for goods and services I say and give the people more money to be able to afford to do app-based business.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Algorithmic pricing can worsen inequities. The city must ensure transparency and fairness so residents aren’t exploited by hidden systems."

Topic: Redistricting

13. Our current city council consists of five physical districts and two at-large seats. Historically, in the South, at-large council seats were created to dilute the voting power of Black residents. We also currently face a problem with people lacking trust and faith in local government. One systemic change that has been discussed over the years is to redistrict the city council to create more physical districts, and possibly eliminate the two at-large seats.

As a way of signalling that you understand people’s trust and faith issues with local government, and want to do away with a historically racist practice, do you support redistricting the city council into a 7- or 9-member body, with all members representing physical districts and no more at-large members (the Home Rule charter would have to be amended to make this possible)?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

NO

Keep the charter in place

Matthew Hill

NO

No—I do not support eliminating the Council-at-Large seats. I believe their best use is to provide direction and vision for the City Council that is distinct from the mayor’s office. The mayor already holds significant executive power, and the at-large members serve as a vital counterbalance, helping to set the tone and broader vision for New Orleans as a whole. Without at-large representation, the risk is that the council could become fragmented or overly tied to district-based alliances, opening the door to back-room deals and patronage politics. Retaining at-large seats ensures that there is leadership accountable to the entire city, not just to one neighborhood, and that helps keep the council focused on citywide progress and balance.

Leilani Heno

Y - Low Priority

I support exploring a fully district-based City Council. Creating more physical districts and eliminating at-large seats could make representation more equitable and ensure that every neighborhood has a direct voice in city government. Any changes would need to be carefully planned and implemented through the Home Rule Charter process, with strong community input, so that the council reflects the diversity and needs of all New Orleanians.

Bob Murrell

Y - High Priority

Kelsey Foster

Y - Medium Priority

Moving to all district-based representation would improve accountability, increase voter trust, and undo a system historically used to dilute Black political power. I also support a general increase to a nine-seat council, as I don’t believe that our large districts currently offer every neighborhood equitable representation.

Nathaniel Jones

Gavin Richard

Y - High Priority

District E, which is the seat that I am running for, is the largest district in the city. I believe there should be another seat to represent this area.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

Without delving in to matters of faith and trust, allow me to say that greater representation is a good thing. Maps which divide some neighborhoods and force others into union are everywhere and should be immediately addressed, even as Louisiana has a case before the Supreme Court concerning our congressional redistricting.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"At-large seats were historically designed to dilute Black voting power. Moving to a fully district-based model will increase trust and representation."

Topic: Policing

14. The New Orleans Police Department, which serves one of the most heavily populated parishes in Louisiana, has not achieved FBI-compliant crime reporting since the FBI switched from summary reporting to incident-based reporting in 2021. Do you commit to supporting and pressuring the NOPD to work towards consistent FBI-compliant incident-based crime reporting in cooperation with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Sometimes you need an outside agent involve

Matthew Hill

Y - High Priority

Yes—I fully commit to supporting and pressing the NOPD to achieve consistent FBI-compliant incident-based crime reporting, in cooperation with the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement. Accurate, transparent data is the foundation of both accountability and effective public safety strategy. Without compliance, we can’t fully understand crime patterns, allocate resources properly, or build public trust. I will push for investment in the technology, training, and oversight necessary to bring NOPD into compliance, and I will ensure that progress is publicly reported so citizens can see measurable improvements. New Orleans deserves reliable data, because without it, we’re flying blind on one of the most important issues facing our city.

Leilani Heno

Y - Medium Priority

Accurate and transparent data is essential for public safety, accountability, and effective policy decisions. I would work with the NOPD and the Louisiana Commission on Law Enforcement to ensure proper reporting practices are implemented, regularly audited, and publicly accessible so residents can have confidence in the city’s crime data.

Bob Murrell

Y - High Priority

Belden Batiste

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - n/a

I do not support the use of facial recognition technology at all. Historically, these systems have disproportionately misidentified Black and Brown individuals, leading to unjust stops, detentions, and arrests. I believe the focus should be on policies and practices that protect civil rights, ensure accountability, and build trust between law enforcement and the community, rather than relying on technology with a documented history of bias.

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

The use of surveillance technology must be carefully regulated to prevent abuse, bias, or violations of civil rights. I will support requiring documentation and disclosure of every instance of AI or facial recognition use, along with independent verification of probable cause. No one should be prosecuted or detained based on secret technology without due process and transparency.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

In our current political climate, I am opposed to facial recognition cameras or technology.

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

I recently stood directly in front of a security camera for a visitor's pass, and the picture was not identifiably me. Reasonable suspicion is not probable cause, and in the case of experimental technologies, full disclosure is a must.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Due process requires transparency. People deserve to know when surveillance tools are used in their case."

16. Do you support auditing of the NOPD’s use of any facial recognition / surveillance technology by an independent facial recognition expert and publication, such as through a publicly available dashboard, in accordance with the following minimum standards:
- Daily reporting of use, false positives, and non-matches
- Weekly deletion of footage and data not pertaining to active criminal, use-of-force investigations, or misconduct investigations.
- Annual certification and training of officers

Rev. Richard S. Bell

NO

No comment

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - n/a

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

If surveillance tools are to be used at all, they must be subject to strict, independent oversight and public accountability. I support daily reporting, timely deletion of unnecessary data, and mandatory training and certification. An independent audit and public dashboard will help ensure transparency, reduce misuse, and protect the rights of residents.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

The annual training and certification of officers in the use of enhanced technologies as well establishing standard operating procedures for the protection of privacy against endless data collection is a high priority. Auditing daily, weekly, and annually seems burdensome and even counterproductive in terms of pitched battles for independence or control, and is therefore a lower priority.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Independent oversight builds public trust and prevents abuse. A public dashboard ensures accountability."

Topic: Fines and Fees

17. In 2019, federal courts ruled that the fees and costs-generated portion of Orleans Parish’s Criminal District Court funding system is unconstitutional. In response to that ruling, local Criminal Court judges changed state law to create a workaround “escrow fund.” However, the details of how that escrow fund is monitored and managed are scarce. Do you commit to requiring full transparency from the Orleans Criminal District Court in the budgeting process regarding fees and court costs as a source of revenue?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - n/a

You need transparency

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Funding our courts through fines and fees that fall hardest on poor and working-class residents is unjust and unconstitutional. I will commit to requiring full transparency in how the escrow fund is managed and how court costs are used. The public deserves to see exactly where this money is going, and families should not be burdened with hidden or exploitative fees to keep the courts operating. Real justice requires fair and transparent funding, not systems that perpetuate poverty and inequity.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Yes, all of our outside Criminal Justice agencies that receive city money should be required to show all sources of revenue and expenses to the Council and the Administration.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Gavin Richard

Y - High Priority

Transparency is a part of my platform. Certainly, the people of New Orleans deserve to know where money is going, and how it is impacting our community. When it is involving the courts, which is supposed to stand for justice and truth, it should also stand for disclosure.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

While I allow for ease of operations and reality driven compromise in terms of reporting and transparency, we're overdue in Orleans for clarity where funds are managed. Details matter in accounting, and that is what we're talking about, isn't it? Show us the receipts, please.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

Nathaniel Jones

YES

Belden Batiste

NO

"Traffic cameras often function more as revenue generators than safety tools. I support school-zone safety measures but oppose excessive reliance on cameras that burden working families."

Topic: State-City Dynamics

19. What are the top three areas where you believe that you as a can take action to improve New Orleans that are free of state preemption?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

"have the lower court make the decision then bring it up to the higher court Appeal court"

Matthew Hill

"City Budgeting & Auditing – The Council controls the city’s purse strings. By demanding independent financial and managerial audits of every department, cutting waste, and redirecting funds toward public safety, infrastructure, and housing, we can put taxpayer dollars back to work for residents instead of being lost to inefficiency. Infrastructure & Blight Remediation – The Council has clear authority over zoning, permitting, and local public works. We can turn blighted properties into usable housing, require timely street and drainage repairs, and prioritize porous roads and catch basins to address flooding—all without state interference. Contracts & Local Services Oversight – The Council directly approves city contracts and regulates service providers like waste management, utilities agreements, and public transit oversight. By ending sweetheart deals and demanding transparency and competition, we can improve daily services, lower costs, and ensure accountability to residents."

Leilani Heno

"City services like drainage, street repair, trash pickup, and blight are controlled locally, and the Council has direct budget and oversight authority. Housing is also within the city’s power. The Council has already passed measures like the Housing Trust Fund and the Healthy Homes ordinance, and it can strengthen enforcement and create local programs without needing state approval. Transparency and accountability are entirely under local control. The Council decides how to structure the budget process, what data to release, and how to ensure residents can track outcomes."

Bob Murrell

"Participatory budgeting and more direct democratic processes - corruption in local government is systemic because our systems do not allow for more transparency and oversight of people's tax dollars and how they're used. As Marta Harnecker expounds in ""Planning From Below: A decentralized participatory planning proposal"", increases in direct democratic control of funding and execution of projects allows inherently eliminates corruption. This is in addition to the political and social benefits of a healthier democracy in the face of rising fascism. I will introduce a PB pilot with the Cox/Harrah's fund that each councilmember is allowed to allocate from, and work to create a more permanent part of the city budget for public voting. Additionally, I will create district councils (for workplaces, for schools, and for historical/marginalized communities) that will be able to meet, discuss, and vote on decisions they want to see happen in the district, including submitting legislation that I will introduce to City Council on their behalf. Tenant and workplace organizing - Try as they might, the state GOP cannot get rid of the right to organize where we live and work. I will visit 100 workplaces in my first year, each time encouraging workers to get organized, either independently thru programs like EWOC from DSA or Step Up's organizing program, or thru existing unions in the GNO region. Second, I will continue my housing justice advocacy by leveraging my position as an elected to meet with large and medium sized tenants about organizing tenant unions, working with Renter's Rights Assembly to remove barriers that are currently existing for the work that's already happening, and begin to work with renters who have common landlords across multiple properties to form larger collaborative organizing. Make Entergy Pay - For too long, New Orleans City Council has rubberstamped everything Entergy asks from them. They make more than the allowed profit rate, they have the highest rate of residential disconnections due to arrears in the country, and they have one of the worst performance rates in the South. I've organized with DSA on the Make Entergy Pay campaign to ban residential shutoffs, to wipe out all accrued debt since the start of the pandemic, and to stop all rate increases. I want to eventually municipalize Entergy to make it a true public utility, one that serves rate payers and not Entergy stock holders. "

Kelsey Foster

Areas where the Council can act without state preemption include: (1) improving City services and permitting, (2) investing in affordable housing and anti-displacement measures, and (3) ensuring transparency in budgeting and contracting.

Nathaniel Jones

Cyndi Nguyen

I believe I can make meaningful improvements in New Orleans in three key areas free of state preemption: 1) expanding and protecting affordable housing through local zoning and tenant protections; 2), strengthening city-run programs that prevent and address homelessness; and 3), improving transparency and accountability in city government, including in budgeting, public communications, and technology use. By focusing on these areas, the council can have a direct, positive impact on residents’ quality of life without waiting on state action.”

Alex Mossing

Improving infrastructure through appropriate budgeting, contracting, and accountability practices; better regulation and enforcement of zoning ordinances to improve housing affordability across the city; improving youth-based services with an eye to long-term workforce development that will attract employers to a highly qualified pool of workers in the next 10 years.

Holly Friedman

"Infrastructure & City Services – We control local priorities for street repairs, drainage maintenance, lighting, blight remediation, and trash pickup. These are everyday quality-of-life issues where the Council can demand accountability and redirect resources. Transparency & Accountability – The Council can strengthen oversight of city agencies, improve open data access, and require regular reporting to ensure residents see how their tax dollars are spent. Housing & Land Use – Through zoning, permitting, and city-owned land, we can increase affordable housing, enforce the Healthy Homes ordinance, and put vacant/blighted properties back into productive use. These areas are squarely within the City Council’s authority and allow us to deliver real, visible improvements in people’s daily lives."

Willie Morgan

"As a City Council member, there are several areas where the City can take meaningful action without being limited by state preemption. Three top priorities for me would be: 1. Local Housing and Anti-Displacement Initiatives: We can expand affordable housing, strengthen tenant protections, and fund programs to prevent displacement. The City has direct authority to allocate resources, create incentives for developers, and protect residents from unjust evictions. 2. Public Safety and Community-Based Programs: While some law enforcement policies are subject to state law, the City can invest in community policing, recreational programs, youth mentorship, and violence prevention initiatives that reduce crime and strengthen neighborhood trust. 3. City Services and Infrastructure: The City controls investments in parks, streets, drainage, sanitation, and public transportation. Improving these services directly affects residents’ quality of life and can be done entirely at the local level, without state preemption. By focusing on these areas, the City Council can make tangible improvements in residents’ lives while navigating areas where state law may limit local authority."

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

"1. Housing & Blight Remediation – Through the Housing Trust Fund, inclusionary zoning, and stronger enforcement of Healthy Homes and Code Enforcement, the Council can directly create and preserve affordable housing and hold absentee landlords accountable. 2.Budget Equity & Transparency – The Council controls the allocation of the city’s general fund. I will expand participatory budgeting, implement equity audits, and require public dashboards so residents can see where every dollar goes. 3.Youth Investment & Public Safety – We can prioritize funding for after-school programs, mentorship, recreation, and violence-prevention initiatives. These are city budget decisions that don’t require state approval but directly improve safety and opportunity in our neighborhoods."

Aimee McCarron

"1. Better Basic Services by bringing things back in house. The city has one electrician to fix streetlights and traffic lights, so we spend extra money on outside contractors and because our contracting process is so bad, we currently don't even have a contract! We must have a robust workforce development program to bring the basics back in house. 2. Safety and Permits - it is no secret that this department needs to be fixed and this is certainly something we can do on a City level. 3. Revise NORD's budget by taking the maintenance of their parks and buildings, off their plate so they can focus on programming. "

Rev. Gregory Manning

"1. Utility regulation - we should regulate Entergy with much more force, and explore alternatives to for-profit utilities 2. Affordable housing - The city must develop vacant lands and build permanently affordable housing 3. Infrastructure - We must establish clear timeliness and quality benchmarks for contractors, and eliminate ""double-digging"" by forcing different city departments and agencies to coordinate better"

Delisha Boyd

Repairing our broken infrastructure, cresting a business friendly city hall (where you can get permits and other services in a timely manner and public safety (collaborating with stakeholders to create a strong recruitment and retention plan).

Gavin Richard

Economic Development, Public Safety, Public Works

Eliot Barron

New Orleans' reputation precedes it, and it is not necessarily positive. People across the state and region dream of a New Orleans they want to visit, which is not the New Orleans they get when they visit. We must clean up our act, we must take care for one another, and we might do tourism and business development better. Can we do that free of state preemption? Let's try.

Belden Batiste

"1. Affordable housing development and zoning reforms. 2. Investment in local infrastructure and flood prevention. 3. Expansion of violence prevention and community health programs."

Topic: Labor

Belden Batiste

Nathaniel Jones

Y - High Priority

Cyndi Nguyen

Y - High Priority

Yes, I intend to partner openly with AFSCME Local 2349 to uphold the collective bargaining agreement and respect the spirit and law of the Right to Organize Ordinance. Supporting city employees’ rights strengthens our workforce, promotes fairness, and ensures that city services are delivered effectively to residents.

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Kelsey Foster

Y - High Priority

I will maintain an open-door policy with AFSCME and work collaboratively to address employee concerns and improve City services.

Nathaniel Jones

Y - Medium Priority

Cyndi Nguyen

Y - High Priority

Yes, I pledge to maintain an open-door policy with AFSCME Local 2349. Regular communication and collaboration with the union are essential to addressing employee concerns, strengthening our workforce, and ensuring city government serves residents effectively.

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

I will maintain an open-door policy with AFSCME Local 2349 because city workers deserve to be heard directly by their elected officials. I will meet regularly with the union, include them in discussions about workplace changes, and ensure their input is reflected in city policy. An open-door policy builds trust and ensures decisions are shaped with those who keep our city running every day.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

As a councilmember, it is literally our role to have an open door and be fully accessible to our community and our city workers. I want to build relationships and make sure people feel comfortable coming to me as a councilmember for support.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

I'm an open book.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

Meeting face to face is key to seeing eye to eye. Where there is disagreement, personal relationships can lead to understanding if not acceptance. More civil discourse!

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"City employees must know their voices are heard. Open-door access ensures collaboration and trust. "

Topic: Immigration

23. Louisiana’s Act 399 puts New Orleans in a tough spot. How would you as mayor handle the dynamics created by this new law? What is your plan to defend immigrant rights and our sanctuary-city values and policies without risking legal trouble or losing funding?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Equal right to everybody

Matthew Hill

"As an immigrant and as a Latino I am appalled at the question. The way this city has treated Latinos is deplorable. There is a reason why we do not have a strong Latino cultural enclave within Orleans Parish (but there are very strong cultural enclaves in Jefferson Parish), it's because of how Latinos were treated during the aftermath of Katrina to how they are treated today. I do not support so-called sanctuary city policies, and I believe it’s misleading to even call New Orleans one. By our actions, we have shown the opposite: when Latino workers raised the alarm about the Hard Rock collapse, instead of being protected, they were targeted and deported. This city has not treated our Latino neighbors—or other immigrant communities—fairly, and to suggest otherwise is laughable. My approach under Act 399 would be to ensure New Orleans complies with state law while working to build trust and fairness in how we treat immigrants as people. That means addressing exploitation, ensuring safety in the workplace, and making city services accessible to everyone who lives here. We should not be hiding behind labels like “sanctuary city” but facing the reality of how we’ve failed and working to do better without putting the city in legal jeopardy or at risk of losing critical funding."

Leilani Heno

Louisiana’s Act 399 makes it a crime for local officials to refuse certain federal immigration enforcement requests. As a City Council member, I would focus on protecting immigrant rights while staying within the law. I would work with local law enforcement and community organizations to make sure residents understand their rights, monitor how the law is applied, and advocate for policies that keep New Orleans safe and inclusive. My priority is ensuring our city lives up to its sanctuary values, protects residents, and avoids legal or funding risks.

Bob Murrell

We need to either amend/destroy existing MOU/CEAs with federal and state agencies, or create new ones that prohibit the use of local resources that are counter to our status as a sanctuary city. That includes the Real Time Crime Center that currently has an intelligence officer from DHS "embedded" into the RTCC as admitted recently by a Deputy CAO on a podcast with a surveillance company. We are already at risk of losing federal funding regardless of this action, so I don't see concerns about this, it's just giving the Trump administration another reason to use, whether it's invented or real. I'm willing to risk legal action on myself, it's the least I can do. No human is illegal.

Kelsey Foster

I will defend immigrant rights by protecting local sanctuary policies, resisting collaboration with ICE unless legally required, and funding community-based legal aid and support. The City can honor sanctuary values while carefully navigating state law.

Nathaniel Jones

I speak fluent Spanish. I will have a great way to communicate with them so that they can avoid federal danger.

Cyndi Nguyen

I would uphold New Orleans’ sanctuary-city values while carefully navigating the constraints of Act 399. I would work with legal experts, city departments, and community organizations to ensure that city policies protect immigrant rights without violating state law or jeopardizing funding. Our goal is to maintain safety, inclusion, and trust for all residents, regardless of immigration status.

Alex Mossing

I believe we should prioritize compliance with the federal consent decree by which we are prohibited from aiding ICE. Our law enforcement resources are limited and valuable, and we should not be forced to allocate resources to assisting with the work of federal agencies. This is again a civics issue rooted in federalism - the state and federal governments have separate powers and priorities, and neither is in control of the other.

Holly Friedman

I will stand firm in defending New Orleans’ role as a welcoming city, while making sure our policies are strong enough to withstand legal challenges and protect vital funding.

Willie Morgan

"As a City Council member, I would uphold New Orleans’ sanctuary-city values while ensuring the City remains in compliance with state law to protect funding and avoid legal jeopardy. My approach would include: Clear Policies and Training: Ensure all city departments, including law enforcement, have clear guidance on interactions with immigrants, emphasizing that city resources will not be used for immigration enforcement. Legal Coordination: Work closely with the City Attorney and community legal organizations to navigate Act 399 while defending residents’ rights. Community Support Programs: Invest in local services that support immigrant communities—such as legal aid, language access, and social services—so families can access resources safely and confidently. Protecting immigrant rights is a core value of our city. I will advocate for policies that ensure New Orleans remains welcoming, while carefully balancing legal obligations and fiscal responsibilities."

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Act 399 is a direct attack on New Orleans’ immigrant communities and our sanctuary values. As a councilmember, I will fight to preserve policies that keep our immigrant neighbors safe, while ensuring compliance is handled in ways that do not criminalize families or open the door to racial profiling. That means working with legal experts and advocacy groups to identify every available protection under federal and constitutional law, building a legal defense strategy, and ensuring city resources are never used to target immigrants. I will also push for city investment in immigrant legal defense funds, multilingual services, and community-based safety programs. Our immigrant communities are part of the fabric of New Orleans, and defending them is a matter of justice and dignity.

Aimee McCarron

I am committed to protecting the rights of all our residents here in the city and I will not use our resources we supply to NOPD for the purposes of immigration enforcement - this is not the role of the NOPD and as council we control the budget, so I will ensure no resources are being used for that purpose.

Rev. Gregory Manning

"The state law is in contradiction of an explicit agreement our city made with the federal government, so I would be willing to take the state to court on this matter, if qualified experts believed that was the most effective and appropriate course of action. I would also ban NOPD and other local law enforcement agencies from asking anyone any questions about their immigration status. And I would explicitly bar ICE from serving any role in Mardi Gras parade security, as they did earlier this year, as this puts not only our own residents at risk, but also the millions of visitors from across the country and world who travel to our city to celebrate Carnival. Finally, I would launch city-run know-you-rights trainings for any and all interested residents. "

Delisha Boyd

"Transparent communications: Clearly explain protections, access points, and what the city can/cannot do under Act 399; publish annual compliance updates. - Partnerships and advocacy: Coordinate with state/federal partners and regional cities; consider amici briefs or legal action if policy protections are at risk. - Practical policy ideas (quick wins): - Universal access to essential services with strong privacy safeguards. - Data minimization and clear retention policies. - Formal Immigrant Rights Advisory Council. - Police protocols that prioritize safety while protecting rights."

Gavin Richard

In total transparency, I believe in supporting New Orleans residents first. I am not a support of illegal immigration. However, I am keen to keep an open mind on certain situations that arise. I'd also need more time to study Louisiana's Act 399.

Eliot Barron

I believe we can defend immigrant rights without interfering or thwarting federal enforcement efforts. Because we value policies like creating sanctuary and the fluid dynamics of city life, as a council person I will offer intentions to this end.

Belden Batiste

"I will defend New Orleans’ sanctuary city policies while ensuring we comply with state law strategically. This means finding legal avenues to protect immigrants, fighting discriminatory practices, and pushing for state reform while safeguarding funding."

24. Would you prohibit NOPD from sharing resources (personnel, financial, equipment, services, or information) with state or federal agencies (like ICE) unless requested via judicial subpoena finding probable cause?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

NO

Transparent

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Y - High Priority

Gavin Richard

Y - High Priority

If the violence prevention methods operating through the Department of Health are working, and they are helping to lower crime, I will support that.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

I'm running on public health and public wealth. This is top priority. Ying and Yang.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"These programs save lives and reduce crime before it happens. Prevention is smarter and more humane than over-incarceration. "

Topic: Environment/Climate Change

26. Perhaps the most vulnerable city in the country, New Orleans is now managing an unmitigated climate disaster, sometimes alone. We see the impacts of the climate crisis on our housing market, loss of population, wealth inequality, and frequent flooding and natural disasters. What is your vision for getting the City of New Orleans prepared for, adapted to, and responsible for the role our state and region plays in the climate crisis?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Roff sola panel

Matthew Hill

Our climate crisis is of our own making—we stopped the river from moving naturally, we’ve over-pumped groundwater causing the city to sink, and we’ve ignored the reality that water will always find a way. My vision is to take bold steps to integrate drainage and water management directly into our street system, using permeable pavement and making roads themselves part of the solution. That means redesigning streets with porous surfaces, embedded catch basins, and built-in drainage infrastructure so every block actively manages water instead of simply shedding it. This isn’t just about flood control; it’s about securing housing stability, keeping insurance costs from spiraling, and protecting the long-term survival of New Orleans. If we treat water management as core city infrastructure—on par with roads, power, and policing—we can not only adapt to climate chaos, but also make New Orleans a global leader in living with water.

Leilani Heno

New Orleans is on the front lines of the climate crisis, and we must act now to protect our city and residents. My plan is to invest in stronger drainage, flood protection, and resilient building standards while using data to direct resources to neighborhoods most at risk. We must also work with state and regional partners to tackle climate impacts together and reduce the city’s environmental footprint. Every step we take should protect residents, preserve our neighborhoods, and make sure New Orleans not only survives but thrives in the face of climate chaos.

Bob Murrell

"I look at Cuba, a country besieged by the inhumane blockade that has lasted decades. In spite of this, they have had only a dozen deaths from hurricanes and tropical storms in the last 8 years. They value human life, and politically and economically organize their society to take care of everyone. That means organizing block by block, getting people involved not just in storm preparations but also evacuations. We need secure and safe facilities that can weather storms and provide power for those that have medical needs that require electricity. I used to work for a software company that alerted states in the gulf south of every registered nursing home/palliative care/hospice patient registered with the state for evacuation purposes, there are ways to create innovative solutions to ensure we eliminate death and injuries caused by tropical weather. I believe the City should declare a climate emergency and dedicate workforce, planning, zoning, and budgetary solutions towards capturing rainwater and solar on a massive scale, reducing fossil fuel consumption and increase electrification and battery capacity, and restoring our tree coverage and reducing localized heat islands. If the sea level numbers stay at the current rate of CO2 emission rates, New Orleans will most likely be an island by the time my youngest son is my age. Our City Master Plan runs out in 2030, and we have not begun the process to plan for the next 20 years. I want to make the central focus of the 2030-2050 Master Plan to be how neighborhoods will adapt with land loss, subsistence across the city, and a reduced level of federal and state funds for roadwork repairs. "

Kelsey Foster

My vision is to make New Orleans a national model for resilience by investing in green infrastructure, renewable energy, affordable flood-safe housing, and neighborhood-scale adaptation. Preparing for climate change also means reducing inequities in housing and infrastructure that put low-income residents most at risk. We have the unfortunate task of innovating ways to do this without state or federal support, and with an incredibly limited budget. This is, at its most basic, the primary task of this incoming administration and council.

Nathaniel Jones

Implement Japan's idea to save our CITY.

Cyndi Nguyen

My vision for New Orleans is a city that is resilient, prepared, and proactive in the face of the climate crisis. I will prioritize investing in flood mitigation, resilient infrastructure, and sustainable development while ensuring that vulnerable communities are protected from displacement and harm. The city must also take responsibility as a regional leader by reducing emissions, advocating for climate policy, and collaborating with state and federal partners. Together, we can ensure New Orleans not only survives but thrives despite the challenges of climate change.

Alex Mossing

It is clear that our current infrastructure system is inadequate to the task of mitigating flooding, and our electrical grid is worringly vulnerable to wind events of any form. We need to create and implement a bigger picture plan to address flooding through more sustainable infrastructure, including bioswales, retention/detention pools, strategic plantings, etc. We should complete a comprehensive blight assessment to determine which properties are viable as housing and strategically allocate those that are unfit for green infrastructure purposes to remove some of the burden from the drainage system. We need to dramatically increase accountability at SWBNO and increase pressure on Entergy to do more to invest in modernizing the electrical grid, implementing a plan for community solar centers and resources, and create penalties for random outages.

Holly Friedman

As a Councilmember, I will push for federal and state partnerships, but also insist that New Orleans take responsibility for its role in both contributing to and solving the climate crisis. We must act now to ensure that New Orleans not only survives climate chaos, but becomes a national leader in resilience and climate justice. We need Resilient Infrastructure and Climate-Ready Housing & Neighborhoods

Willie Morgan

"New Orleans faces unprecedented challenges from the climate crisis, and our city must take bold, proactive action to protect residents, infrastructure, and our future. My vision focuses on preparedness, adaptation, and responsibility: Preparedness: Strengthen emergency response systems, improve drainage and flood management, and ensure that neighborhoods most vulnerable to climate impacts receive priority resources. Adaptation: Invest in resilient infrastructure, including green spaces, stormwater systems, and climate-resistant housing, to reduce the long-term impacts of flooding and extreme weather. Responsibility: Advocate for state and federal partnerships to address systemic inequities worsened by climate change, and implement local policies that reduce our city’s carbon footprint while preparing for unavoidable impacts. New Orleans cannot face this crisis alone. We must act now to protect our families, preserve our culture, and ensure that our city not only survives but thrives in the face of climate chaos."

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

My vision is for New Orleans to lead with resilience, equity, and accountability. We must invest in stronger flood protection, drainage, and green infrastructure while also addressing housing and insurance costs that are pushing families out of the city. I will champion policies that make our neighborhoods more resilient—like weatherization, elevating homes, and expanding green space—while also holding utilities and industries accountable for reducing emissions and protecting public health. This crisis is not abstract; it affects our ability to stay rooted here. I will fight for a just transition that centers working families, prioritizes frontline communities like District E, and ensures that New Orleans doesn’t just survive climate chaos but adapts and thrives.

Aimee McCarron

"I’m VERY excited about the opportunities to act as an engaged and energetic regulator of utilities. To solve our grid issues, the council can create new solutions: the Climate Committee is currently developing new ways to increase the availability of local distributed energy resources - usually solar and battery systems on homes and businesses that can be tied together to work in unison to help save the grid when the big, far-off power plants go out. Too many people forget that the City Council has unique powers to promote new energy policies and can do so unilaterally - whether by forcing the utility to make the grid stronger and more reliable or by building programs to help make more homes and businesses energy independent with networked solar and battery storage. I am firmly convinced that the new substation - nearly complete and funded by the Council in budgets that I helped craft - will drastically decrease the number of pumping failures due to power - keeping our streets and neighborhoods drier. But that’s not enough - we need to fully invest in modern methods to live with water - making flood mitigation inherent in every decision we make in terms of capital projects and infrastructure reconstruction. We need to look at the bioswales already in the Lafitte Greenway as well as the three, District A drainage projects and ensure they are funded and part of our infrastructure plans. "

Rev. Gregory Manning

"As the New Orleans City Council is the direct regulator of our private utility, as Councilmember, I would push our utilities far more forcefully to transition to fully renewable energy, as the current and previous councils have allowed our utility to drag its feet on meeting emissions goals in a timely manner. I would also act immediately to formulate a comprehensive storm response and evacuation plan, as in spite of the experience of Katrina and Ida, our city’s evacuation plans are not at all sufficient. Should I enjoy majority support on the City Council for municipalization of Delta Utilities, which purchased and now operates Entergy’s gas infrastructure, I would begin the process of decommissioning the gas network entirely. While Delta Utilities has explicitly stated their business model is reliant on the expansion of gas infrastructure, this is a totally irresponsible course of action from the standpoint of ratepayers’ interests and climate consciousness. However, due to state pre-emption laws, the city cannot mandate that a private utility decommission its gas infrastructure. But if the city owns the gas infrastructure, it is free to operate it as it sees fit, which would allow for decommissioning. Should we successfully municipalize the gas network, I would not pursue legislation to require homeowners to replace their gas appliances if they would like to keep them. However, I would pursue a ban on expansion of gas infrastructure, require city properties to replace any gas appliances with electric, require HANO properties to convert to electric, require owners of rental properties to convert to electric utilities within a reasonable timeframe if requested by the renter, and ban gas installation in new construction, as other cities have. This would greatly reduce our city’s impacts on the climate and have widespread benefits to all residents. "

Delisha Boyd

"My vision for New Orleans to prepare, adapt, and share responsibility in the climate crisis: Resilient housing and infrastructure Elevate and retrofit homes, schools, and critical facilities; advance floodproofing and floodplain restoration. Invest in targeted, nature-based defenses (wetlands, levee improvements, green/blue infrastructure) that reduce risk and support co-benefits. Equitable, affordable climate action Ensure funding and programs reach frontline communities; expand home repair, weatherization, and flood insurance support. Align housing, healthcare, and social services to reduce displacement and preserve community power. Proactive land use and mobility Strengthen land-use planning to avoid at-risk areas and protect essential services; accelerate resilient affordable housing. Expand climate-smart transit, evacuations, and critical-asset mobility (healthcare, shelters, supply chains). Regional and state partnership Build a shared climate strategy with the state and Gulf partners; establish joint funding, risk testing, and data-sharing. Create a regional early-warning, emergency response, and recovery framework; pool resources and mutual aid. Economic and workforce resilience Grow local climate jobs (coastal restoration, green construction, floodplain management) with livable wages. Support small businesses in disaster-readiness and recovery; reduce uninsured loss exposure. Data-driven governance Invest in flood mapping, hazard modeling, and open data for transparency and quick decision-making. Regularly test plans, conduct after-action reviews, and iterate resilience strategies. Culture, health, and community Prioritize mental health and public health readiness; maintain culturally informed communication. Empower community organizations to lead local resilience initiatives."

Gavin Richard

I would try to help implement environmental studies and impacts in certain areas. Also, I'd support educating others on the climate chaos.

Eliot Barron

The state must help replace federal funds for resilience projects. Investments in green infrastructure, clean water, recycling, and public space benefit the entire region.

Nathaniel Jones

Y - High Priority

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"State investment is critical for local resilience projects like clean water systems, green infrastructure, and litter abatement. I will advocate aggressively for state support to fill gaps left by federal clawbacks. "

Topic: Infrastructure

28. In recent weeks, community demands for a safer St. Claude Avenue have increased. Overall, New Orleanian bicyclists and pedestrians need safer streets and communities, especially given that both our city and state have some of the highest rates of pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities in the country. How do you plan to prioritize people, and their safety, on our roads?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Put more sign in the bicyclist lane

Matthew Hill

Our roads are not designed for cyclists, pedestrians, or the heavy truck traffic that moves through our neighborhoods—and the tragic deaths we keep seeing are proof of that failure. I will prioritize people’s safety by pushing the Department of Public Works to reassess how our streets are used and commit to redesigning them for a safer city. That means protected bike lanes, traffic-calming measures, and designated truck routes that keep large commercial vehicles away from the most dangerous corridors. On St. Claude and beyond, safety must come first, and infrastructure must reflect that—because every New Orleanian should be able to walk, ride, or drive without risking their life just to get across town.

Leilani Heno

I will push for better street design including protected bike lanes, safer crosswalks, improved lighting, and traffic calming measures in high-risk areas like St. Claude Avenue. I will work with city and state agencies to use data to identify dangerous streets and make sure resources are directed where they can save lives. By prioritizing people over cars, we can make New Orleans streets safer for everyone, including residents, students, workers, and visitors.

Bob Murrell

I want us to commit to zero cyclist and pedestrian fatalities. It's disgusting to see the vitriol directed to cycling advocates from elected officials and people on the payroll of electeds currently running for office. As a cyclist, I've experienced close calls across the district and will continue to push for the Complete Streets plan with more protected bike spaces.

Kelsey Foster

I will prioritize safer streets by redesigning dangerous corridors like St. Claude for pedestrians, cyclists, and transit users, expanding traffic calming, and pushing for enforcement that protects people—not just vehicles. I will remove the ordinance passed by Councilman King that bans protected bike lanes in Algiers because I do not believe that any zip code in my district deserves less safety than another.

Nathaniel Jones

Enforce stricter codes and laws that would protect all.

Cyndi Nguyen

I plan to prioritize the safety of pedestrians and cyclists by advocating for complete streets policies that put people before cars. This includes safer crosswalks, protected bike lanes, traffic-calming measures, and improved street lighting, especially in high-risk areas like St. Claude Avenue. I will work closely with city planners, residents, and advocacy groups to ensure that road design reflects the needs of everyone, making our streets safer and more accessible for all New Orleanians.

Alex Mossing

We have separated ourselves pretty dramatically from the Master Plan that was created post-Katrina and that was meant to drive investments in community rebuilding and infrastructure upgrades. It is essential that we return to a comprehensive planning model that requires protected transit lanes for pedestrians and cyclists. If this system had been in place when St. Claude was first rebuilt post-Katrina, we could have incorporated lanes that were fully protected. As it is, we will now need to make a second investment in this project. Going forward, we need to prioritize the up-front investment in capital projects that address long-term issues without focusing exclusively on lowest-bid contracts.

Holly Friedman

New Orleans must put people first on our streets. I will prioritize policies that redesign dangerous corridors like St. Claude with protected bike lanes, better crosswalks, lighting, and traffic calming. I’ll also push for accountability in road design, expand Safe Routes to School, and direct funding to neighborhoods with the highest rates of pedestrian and cyclist injuries. Everyone deserves safe passage in our city.

Willie Morgan

Ensuring the safety of pedestrians and bicyclists must be a top priority for New Orleans. I would work to prioritize people on our roads by investing in safer infrastructure, including protected bike lanes, improved crosswalks, traffic calming measures, and better lighting in high-risk areas. Additionally, I would collaborate with community organizations, traffic safety experts, and residents to identify the most dangerous streets and implement targeted solutions. By focusing on prevention, education, and thoughtful street design, we can reduce injuries and fatalities and make our streets safe for everyone.

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

I will prioritize people over cars by investing in safer street design, traffic calming, and pedestrian-first infrastructure. That means expanding protected bike lanes, repairing sidewalks, improving lighting, and redesigning dangerous intersections like those along St. Claude Avenue. I will also advocate for Vision Zero policies that commit the city to eliminating traffic deaths and injuries, ensuring every neighborhood; especially in District E; has safe, walkable, and bikeable streets.

Aimee McCarron

We need safer roads and sidewalks period. In the past, we have not made it a priority during construction of our roads to incorporate bike lanes and pedestrians, but going forward this needs to be a priority. All new street construction needs to consider traffic and bike as well as sidewalks. There are so many areas in the city where a sidewalk just stops and is filled with grass; this isn't accessible. Better coordination with DPW and Capital Projects planning needs to happen in order to ensure better traffic conditions and safety.

Rev. Gregory Manning

More bike lanes, better sidewalk maintenance, and traffic calming initiatives and infrastructure.

Delisha Boyd

"Once again, it’s important that community voices are clear: prioritize people over vehicles by designing safe, well‑planned bike lanes, walking trails, and pedestrian walkways on St. Claude Avenue and across New Orleans. With our city and state experiencing some of the highest pedestrian and cyclist injuries and fatalities, the focus is on safer streets that reflect the needs and feedback of residents, cyclists, and pedestrians. Key points: Elevate the community voice in planning and design decisions for all active transportation routes. Invest in high‑quality, protected bike lanes, continuous walking trails, and clearly marked pedestrian walkways. Use data-driven strategies to identify high‑risk areas and implement safety measures first (prioritizing vulnerable users: children, seniors, and people with limited mobility). Improve traffic calming, lighting, crosswalks, and signal timing to slow speeds and reduce conflict points. Foster ongoing support networks: neighborhood coalitions, local advocates, and city departments coordinating safety education and enforcement that respects community needs. Ensure transparent, timely communication about progress, timelines, and opportunities for resident input."

Gavin Richard

Fixing our streets is one thing. There are a lot of potholes and cracks in our roads. Also, we need to enforce the laws on jaywalking, people failing to stop at a red light, etc. There are other options that are available, and I'm open to expanding and researching on how to prioritize public safety.

Eliot Barron

Not only do I live along the St Claude corridor, but I am also a bicyclist and a pedestrian, and I know how scary it can be. This is not a small reason I'm running for office in the first place. I plan to prioritize these safety issues by prioritizing quality of life issues for the people.

Belden Batiste

"I will prioritize infrastructure upgrades, protected bike lanes, improved lighting, and pedestrian-friendly crosswalks. Our streets must serve people, not just cars."

29. According to RIDE New Orleans’s annual State of Transit report in 2024, in order for the City of New Orleans and Jefferson Parish to achieve pre-Katrina level return to full service and service expansion, we would need to identify about $56 million annually in new operating resources by 2028. Are you committed to working across the city and with Jefferson Parish to achieve this goal and secure this funding?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

I'm on the board for RIDE

Matthew Hill

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Transit is essential for working families, seniors, and youth. I will work with Jefferson Parish and RTA to secure sustainable funding streams to restore pre-Katrina levels of service and expand routes. Reliable transit connects people to jobs, schools, and healthcare, while also reducing congestion and emissions. This will be a top priority because a strong transit system is the backbone of equitable economic development.

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Yes, we need to ensure people can get where they need to go, on-time and safely across our city and surrounding parishes.

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - n/a

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

It's a presumptive yes, but would need more information on RIDE and what type of work we would be doing with Jefferson Parish. We certainly encourage working with our neighbors, but we can't be placed at a disadvantage on certain deals either. I would need more information.

Eliot Barron

Y - High Priority

Besides finding money we thought was lost, the value of quality and useful regional, public transportation is central to my ethos. The free movement of people, ideas, and goods. That's what I'm talking about. Abundant resources for service expansion, full service is a very high priority.

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

"Reliable transit connects people to jobs, schools, and opportunity. Collaboration across parishes is necessary for a stronger regional system. "

30. There are multiple models for successful park systems across the State of Louisiana, in particular, East Baton Rouge Parish’s award winning park system, BREC. What lessons can we draw from what other systems are doing well and how can we implement them in New Orleans?

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Accept the same

Matthew Hill

The first lesson we can take from successful systems like BREC is that excellence starts with consistent, basic maintenance. In New Orleans, too often our parks are dirty and neglected—I’ve personally had to clean up parks before hosting events. Before we can model award-winning systems, we must fix the fundamentals: regular cleaning, reliable trash pickup, well-kept restrooms, and safe play areas. Once we establish a baseline of care, we can then look to what BREC does well—community programming, equitable access, and investment in green space as both recreation and resilience infrastructure. By managing our parks at the basic operational level, we not only give residents spaces they can be proud of, but we also set the foundation for building a park system that could one day win awards and attract families, businesses, and visitors to stay and thrive in New Orleans.

Leilani Heno

We can learn a lot from successful park systems like BREC in East Baton Rouge Parish. They show how strong leadership, consistent funding, and community engagement can create parks that are safe, well-maintained, and accessible to everyone. For New Orleans, we can adopt similar strategies by investing in park maintenance, expanding programming for families and youth, improving safety and accessibility, and involving neighborhoods in planning and decision-making. By doing so, we can create park spaces that bring communities together and improve quality of life across the city.

Bob Murrell

First is community engagement. I look at Front Yard Bikes, Baton Roots, and other community partnerships that directly engage people to encourage usage and promote public goods. Another lesson we can learn is financial stability and accountability from BREC to ensure proper transparency and oversight of funds. Last is using whatever land available for greenspace or community space as well as public resources and properties like libraries.

Kelsey Foster

We can learn from models like BREC by investing in accessible parks, sustainable maintenance funding, and community-driven programming. Parks are infrastructure for health, safety, and resilience. BREC is successful because it is more than just parks; it’s diverse programming, storm water management, and cycling master planning. When we broaden our ideas of what recreation and green space means to our communities, we can exponentially increase the value of parks.

Nathaniel Jones

Look at what works, and what doesn't. We will be budget-crunched over the next 10 years....so prudent planning is needed.

Cyndi Nguyen

We can learn a lot from successful park systems like BREC in East Baton Rouge Parish, particularly their focus on accessibility, diverse programming, and strong community engagement. By investing in well-maintained facilities, inclusive recreational opportunities, and sustainable practices, New Orleans can create parks that serve as safe, welcoming spaces for all residents. I would prioritize partnerships with community groups and leverage successful models to ensure our parks promote health, equity, and neighborhood vitality.

Alex Mossing

We should never feel the need to reinvent the wheel. We should look to all other regional cities of comparable size to determine the best practices that can improve our Parks and Parkways operations, as well as those of NORD, and implement similar programs. New Orleans residents deserve no less.

Holly Friedman

New Orleans can learn a lot from successful park systems like BREC in Baton Rouge. Their model shows the value of stable, dedicated funding, strong community programming, and equitable access across neighborhoods. We should apply those lessons by ensuring every resident (especially in underserved areas) has safe, well-maintained green space, along with programming that supports youth, seniors, and families. Parks are not just amenities; they are essential for public health, climate resilience, and neighborhood vitality.

Willie Morgan

New Orleans can learn a great deal from successful park systems like BREC in East Baton Rouge Parish. Key lessons include prioritizing accessibility, maintaining high-quality facilities, and offering a diverse range of programs that serve all residents, from youth sports to cultural and recreational activities for adults. By investing in our parks, creating safe and welcoming spaces, and ensuring community engagement in programming, New Orleans can model these successes to strengthen neighborhood cohesion, promote healthy lifestyles, and provide equitable access to recreational opportunities for every resident.

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

We can learn from BREC that parks must be funded consistently, maintained to high standards, and equitably distributed across neighborhoods. I will advocate for a parks system that is inclusive, well-staffed, and accessible for all residents; from safe playgrounds and sports fields for youth to walking trails and green space for seniors. By partnering with schools, nonprofits, and neighborhood groups, we can make our parks hubs of health, culture, and community. A strong, equitable park system is essential to improving quality of life and building resilience citywide.

Aimee McCarron

I think the biggest thing we can learn is that making the firm decision to invest heavily in a park system can work. I said this earlier, but one budget change I would make is to remove the maintenance responsibility from NORD and bring that into Parks and Parkways and Property Management so NORD can focus its efforts and budget on building out programming. Something I want to do as councilmember is actually go into the district and talk to our kids to see what programming they want in their neighborhoods, so they have something to do every evening and every weekend. We also need to invest resources in adapting our parks to the climate. Every playground should have a canopy or coverage over the play equipment so kids can play outside in the summer. We should also invest in splash pads and more swimming pools so our kids can stay cool. NORD has been struggling for awhile so it is important to learn from other cities doing it right, so we can get it right too.

Rev. Gregory Manning

We need to have more people on staff at NORD to provide more programming and more regular maintenance. Our parks could even generate revenue towards a degree of self-sustainability, with adequate initial public investment.

Delisha Boyd

"There several positive takeaways and actionable items to build and ensure successes: Key lessons Clear mission focused on access, health, culture, and recreation Diverse, well-maintained facilities for all ages Strong programming and community partnerships Stable, transparent funding and financial management Equity and inclusive access (ADA, multilingual, targeted in underserved areas) Regular maintenance, safety, and asset management Data-driven decisions and public transparency Skilled, supported workforce Sustainability and climate resilience Additional Steps Draft a 5–10 year parks plan with goals Build an equity-first facility and program map Implement asset management and maintenance schedules Diversify funding (grants, bonds, partnerships) with transparent reporting Create a data dashboard for usage, outcomes, and conditions Establish strong community engagement and regular updates"

Gavin Richard

I would need more information on what EBR's BREC system accomplished. However, we can also review and study their models.

Eliot Barron

The main lesson we can learn is that other systems are doing well and modeling success. What have they got that we haven't? That's a rhetorical question, don't answer it.

Belden Batiste

"We can model BREC’s success by investing in equitable, accessible green spaces. Partnerships with schools, nonprofits, and health organizations can create parks that improve quality of life and reduce crime."

New Orleans Candidate Survey

Topic: Child Care

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Matthew Hill

Y - Medium Priority

Leilani Heno

Y - High Priority

Bob Murrell

Y - High Priority

Kelsey Foster

Y - High Priority

Nathaniel Jones

Y - High Priority

Cyndi Nguyen

Y - High Priority

Alex Mossing

Y - High Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - High Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - High Priority

Delisha Boyd

Y - High Priority

Gavin Richard

Y - Medium Priority

Eliot Barron

Y - Medium Priority

Belden Batiste

Y - High Priority

Topic: Healthcare

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Matthew Hill

Leilani Heno

Bob Murrell

Kelsey Foster

Nathaniel Jones

Cyndi Nguyen

Alex Mossing

Holly Friedman

Willie Morgan

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Aimee McCarron

Rev. Gregory Manning

Delisha Boyd

Gavin Richard

Eliot Barron

Belden Batiste

Rev. Richard S. Bell

Y - High Priority

Matthew Hill

Y - Medium Priority

Leilani Heno

Y - Medium Priority

Bob Murrell

Y - High Priority

Kelsey Foster

Y - High Priority

Nathaniel Jones

Y - Medium Priority

Cyndi Nguyen

Y - High Priority

Alex Mossing

Y - Medium Priority

Holly Friedman

Y - High Priority

Willie Morgan

Y - Low Priority

Jonathan Anthony Roberts

Y - High Priority

Aimee McCarron

Y - High Priority

Rev. Gregory Manning

Y - Medium Priority

New Orleans
Candidate Survey