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The City has a $200M budget hole to fill, and for revenues, they’re dipping into already-allocated American Rescue Plan dollars. The American Rescue Plan was the direct allocation of federal money the City of New Orleans received for COVID relief. It was intended to help the City and its people recover from economic losses due to the pandemic (More about ARPA here).
A total of $14.7 Million is being diverted from 32 ARPA programs. (Source) Here’s a rundown on what’s being cut, and from whom.
A new Mayor(-elect) has entered the chat, and since she’s also VP of City Council, she’s getting started early on making the changes she wants to see in the 2026 Budget. Yesterday, Mayor-Elect Moreno presented an amendment to the proposed 2026 City Operating Budget.
With the November election fast approaching, there’s a lot of talk about municipal bonds. But what exactly is a bond, and why is it on your ballot? Here’s everything you need to know.
The Proposed 2026 City Budget was released on October 1st, and the City Council has until December 1st to approve the budget. Now is where the change happens!
CBNO Executive Director Nellie Catzen speaks with WWL-TV News about the 2026 budget at City Hall in New Orleans.
New City Council District maps go into effect in January, and your ballot on October 11th will reflect our new districts. For most people, your district will be the same as last election. But in Mid-City, Broadmoor, and Tremé, some people’s district has changed.
CBNO partnered with WWLTV on a post-debate special featuring extended candidate interviews, expert analysis and reaction from community stakeholders. CBNO Executive Director Nellie Catzen was featured to discuss our partnership, initial impressions of the debate and how everyday residents are viewing the upcoming election.
CBNO partnered with WWLTV to develop a robust and impactful Mayoral Debate, driven by the issues most important to New Orleans voters. CBNO worked with the news team to ensure that resident voices remained front and center in the debate content, questions, and presentation.
We’re electing a new Mayor, City Council, Sheriff, Assessor, and more this October. You want to be an informed voter, but how do you navigate all the information out there?
On October 11th, New Orleans will have a municipal election to elect a new Mayor, City Council, Sheriff, Assessor, and Clerk of Criminal District Court. In order to make an informed vote, it’s important to understand what’s at stake, and what each position is responsible for.
We joined the team at ComfyStone Films on their Missions Bayou Podcast, and the episode is live! Executive Director Nellie Catzen sat down with hosts Josh and Maya to talk about our legacy of building leaders, engaging New Orleans residents and transforming civic engagement in New Orleans.
In a year marked by uncertainty, the Committee for a Better New Orleans leaned into possibility—and our community showed up.
We're proud of our Executive Director Nellie Catzen for being recognized in St Charles Avenue Magazine as a 2024 Activist of the Year!
Hey neighbor,
I hope you're doing ok after yesterday's horrific attack on Bourbon St. A Federal investigation is underway, and the City's emergency responses are in full swing. As information continues to emerge, we're sharing a roundup of resources for you here. Check out below for ways you can get or offer help in the wake of the crisis.
On December 4, 2024, we at the Committee for a Better New Orleans (CBNO) hosted an unforgettable evening—our “Celebration of Leaders”—to honor the incredible accomplishments of our Leadership Forum alumni and the graduating cohort of 2024. It was a night filled with gratitude, inspiration, and a deep sense of community.
At the heart of New Orleans lies a community-driven vision for equity, safety, and opportunity: the Big Easy Deal. This bold proposal, championed by the Big Easy Budget Coalition (BEBC), sought to address the root causes of poverty, violence, and systemic inequities by investing $125.5 million into affordable housing, youth services, food security, and community safety initiatives.
The City budget is the single most important decision the City makes each year. Your voice matters -- it's YOUR money. If you care about potholes getting filled, housing getting built or flooding getting better, you care about the budget.
The great news is -- you don't have to be an expert to get involved! Here's your guide to making a difference in the City of New Orleans’ proposed $1.78 Billion budget for next year.
Find your Polling Place & Sample Ballot
Why are we voting?
The purpose of this election is to vote on candidates for the offices of President and Vice-President of the United States, U.S. Representative 2nd Congressional District, plus one State-wide Constitution change, and two Parish-wide Charter changes.
This is your first opportunity to learn how the Mayor and her team plan to spend over $700 million of your taxes, fines, fees, and other public money in 2025. This is the money that goes toward fixing streets and infrastructure, community mobility and safety, picking up trash, operating community programs, and keeping the government running. It's your money, so you have a say in what happens with it. Here's what you need to know.