Optimism:New Orleans Day At Louisiana Capitol City

Tonight: Louisiana Punch: Scandal, Politics and Funny

One of my favorite days of the year is “New Orleans Day” during the spring legislative session. It allows me to get a really good read on the direction of the City’s affairs and any resistance from the Governor’s Administration, the legislature, and from other state government officials.

At this event, I always talk with these decision-makers “off of the record” so I can get a real feel for the fate of the city that is now going through a kind of rehab after the shock of Katrina and Rita. By going off of the record, I feel that I do not receive stilted responses and it allows me to get a real image or “impression” which I can then convey.

The purpose of New Orleans Day is to discuss the needs of the City with the legislature and other public officials. Yesterday, Mayor C. Ray Nagin and other city officials had an opportunity to chat with Governor Jindal and others about those issues important to the city and the state..

Based upon a number of statements from Government officials, there is no question that Mayor Nagin has a much better relationship with the current Governor than he had with Governor Blanco. Nagin supported Jindal in 2004, did a public dance over whether he would run for the position or stay put and then backed a Jindal opponent. But, that is history now. What is more important is that the Mayor and Governor Jindal communicate well and often and I suspect that based upon everything I have heard today, they will.

On the itinerary were closed meetings with Commissioner of Agriculture Mike Strain, State Attorney General Buddy Caldwell, Secretary of State Jay Dardenne, and Commissioner of Insurance James Donelon.

In his official statement, Nagin said, “I meet each week with the Orleans Legislative Delegation, but on New Orleans Day, we broaden our reach and are joined by the City Council and other key constituents."

His press office said that “Mayor Nagin discussed several key issues in his meeting with Gov. Jindal this morning. Healthcare and mental health were among the top priorities. Specifically, Mayor Nagin and Council member discussed the future of Charity Hospital and the development of the proposed LSU-VA hospital complex in downtown New Orleans.

"We believe this is one of the most important initiatives for the future of New Orleans and its economy and the Governor is very supportive," said Mayor Nagin.

The official statement also said that “discussions today also have focused on bills that would address criminal justice, including a bill that would focus on ex-offenders to address the shortage of skilled Louisiana workers and to help reduce the recidivism rate. Another bill would make New Orleans streets safer by addressing the proliferation of assault weapons being used in crimes in urban areas.

Each year the Mayor and City Council choose one day to spend with the Louisiana State and statewide officials. New Orleans Day ends with a dinner reception on the lawn of the Governor's Mansion, featuring the unique culture and cuisine that help to define New Orleans.”

In general, I believe that the session is going well for New Orleans and for the rest of the state. The legislature is taking more control over those issues important to their own constituencies and many legislative “newbies” are getting a good handle over the process—especially since they have spent so much time on the legislative job since mid-January.

Unquestionably, there are contentious issues that are cropping up, but, the notion that Katrina fatigue has set in the bones of state Government is not the case at all.

Since we live in Louisiana, as we see energy prices go up, so does our government surplus which can enable a faster recovery, if the money is used wisely.

As the sun began to set upon the Governor’s Mansion lawn, the captains of industry and government schmoozed and talked legislation. It had been a long day of discussions for New Orleans City Government and state officials.

Mayor Nagin played host at the Mansion affair and again was upbeat about the recovery which he said would last a decade. He was pleased that approximately 300,000 to 320,000 people have returned to the city that had a pre-Katrina population of approximately 450,000 people.

Although Nagin and Jindal belong to different political parties and although most of the New Orleans elected officials are Democrats while most of the statewide officials are Republicans, there is no doubt that the City Administration is more relaxed and upbeat over the future. For now, based upon my discussions, I am calling it cautious optimism.

However, recovery will be no bed of roses and hard decisions will be made by many elected officials. But, with money rolling in from energy prices, it is a great time to be Governor and state officials to decide how to split up the surplus rather than cutting the budget by one billion dollars which occurred after Katrina.

But, things were much different then, compared to now. There was a different Congress, a different Governor and signs of Katrina were still sprayed and gnawed from New Orleans to Baton Rouge.

Then, those were the old days. At least, I could get my “annual impression” of the state of the city from the eyes of local and state officials on a mere quarter of a tank of gas. Oh, My! Times certainly have changed, haven't they?

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