First look at the 2026 Budget - WWL-TV Interview

Our staff spoke with WWL-TV after yesterday’s Executive Budget Presentation. See their coverage and our response here!

“Nellie Catzen of the Big Easy Budget Coalition, which surveyed hundreds of New Orleans voters, emphasized the public's desire for different allocations and transparency. 

“People want to see increased investment in housing, in infrastructure, in services for young people, and in health, and that’s not what we’re seeing in this budget," Catzen stated, “We’re hoping to see better engagement in the months ahead, and a council and administration that are willing to listen to the people and work together.”

Our updated budget guide will be published by next week, in advance of the City Council budget hearings that will begin on October 13th.

A first look at the 2026 Budget: Revenue for 2026 is projected at $20M less than 2025, which means cuts across departments. The City said to expect a “30% across the board” cut, but the budget book shows that cut is not uniformly applied to all departments. Here’s a look at the cuts:

• 52% cut to The Department of Public Works

• 38% cut to the Office of Economic Development

• 20% cut to the Office of Community Development which manages affordable housing

• 20% cut to the Sheriff’s Office

• 10% cut to the Health Department

• 8% increase to the NOPD

The City’s limited public engagement* in this year’s budget revealed that 41% of residents surveyed listed infrastructure as their #1 priority for this year’s budget. Of the top 5 areas residents said require more funding, all 5 are facing cuts in the proposed budget.

*The administration conducted a survey that “nearly 250” people completed, according to the budget book. They did not hold a public meeting.

When asked for their #1 priority in the budget, most residents (41%) chose infrastructure. 29% chose Quality of Life.

When asked for the top 5 priorities, most people said streets, infrastructure, stormwater and wastewater, fair and affordable housing, and Economic Development.

When asked which priorities need more funding, most people said streets and infrastructure.

Get involved!

1) Write to your councilmembers (3 people: your district rep and both at-large members) TODAY to tell them what you think of these cuts. Here’s each member’s email address and their chief of staff’s email address.

• District A: Joe Giarrusso - Joseph.Giarrusso@nola.gov, Amanda.Rizzo@nola.gov

• District B: Lesli Harris - Lesli.Harris@nola.gov, anpoort@nola.gov

• District C: Freddie King III - Freddie.King@nola.gov, Charles.Toney@nola.gov

• District D: Eugene Green - Eugene.Green@nola.gov, Sandra.Thomas@nola.gov

• District E: Oliver Thomas - Oliver.Thomas@nola.gov, Diedre.Pierce@nola.gov

• At-Large: Helena Moreno - Helena.Moreno@nola.gov, Sayde.Finkel@nola.gov

• At-Large: JP Morrell - JP.Morrell@nola.gov, Krystal.Hendon@nola.gov

2) Attend the budget hearings beginning on October 13th to make your voice heard! (see schedule)