Louisiana Governor-Elect and New Orleans Mayor to Work Together?

Governor-elect Jeff Landry has announced that he will have a committee that is solely focused on the problems in New Orleans according to WVUE.

The committee members will be made up of people with a vested interest in the city of New Orleans, and it will be chaired by prominent businessman Boysie Bollinger.

Landry first spoke about this committee when he visited Lafayette to talk about his transition team. Landry said it's not necessarily what he wants to see change in Louisiana, but it's about what the committee sees as the major flaws in the city. He was quoted as saying,

It's not specifically what kind of change I want to see. We want to hear from those people who are on that committee what kind of changes or policies are aired concerns, or problems that the city of New Orleans has which have kept the city of New Orleans from being a great city that it once was.

One of the major issues impacting the city is the number of homicides that are reported. So far this year there have been 191 according to the Metropolitan Crime Commission as of October 30, 2023.

This week, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell was asked about this committee during her weekly press conference.

She had to say this about the committee,

For me, it's an indicator that the governor-elect understands what New Orleans means not only to ourselves but to the state of Louisiana. I'm hopeful and I don't think, you know, great things come from collaborating and I think this is a step in the right direction.

Cantrell went on to say that while she was not contacted by the Governor-elect personally about the committee, she says this is supported as something in the spirit of cooperation. She says she is supportive because it will be about what is best for Louisiana, and ultimately the state of Louisiana.

Will the Two Play Political Games with the Committee or Their Findings?

Will politics play a part in this committee and possibly what recommendations might be made? This remains to be seen. Governor-elect Landry is a Republican and New Orleans May Cantrell is a Democrat.

If you check out the data available at the Pew Research Center, many people in Louisiana self-report as not leaning left or right politically. The report shows that sixteen percent are in between the two parties.

Louisiana Is Truly a Politically Divided State

Forty-one percent of people say they are Republican or lean towards the Republican party. Forty-three percent of people say they are Democrats or lean towards the Democratic party.

WVUE Fox8's political analyst Mike Sherman had the following to say when asked about whether or not the two will end up agreeing,

We all know the days near where there will be an ideological divide and battles between the city of New Orleans and the new governor's administration but today is not that day. Knowing that the city of New Orleans is in the governor-elect's transition planning can only be a good thing because it brings attention and focus to the city.

We would like to know what you think about this committee, and what the two might be likely to do with the results of the committee. You can give us your thoughts in the results section.