Though Civil District Court Judge Loria Jupiter temporarily slowed down Governor Jeff Landry’s plan to consolidate all the unhoused in one central location, New Orleanians would be foolish to think the battle is over. While the courts might insert some qualifiers, Landry will eventually get his way. Why? He is bound and determined to reshape the Crescent City and probably has the will, resources and political strength to do so.
After all, much of Landry’s rhetoric during his campaign for governor focused on bringing change to New Orleans. Voters around the state reacted positively whenever he pitched the need to address the city’s crime problem. On the campaign trail, Landry often railed that upwardly mobile families from other states who were eyeing relocation would not consider Louisiana because of New Orleans’ many issues including low-performing schools, an unskilled workforce, a lack of affordable housing and homelessness. At the ballot box, the voters of this state agreed with Landry. Their support empowered him.
Most residents feel that Landry’s first salvo in New Orleans – establishing Troop NOLA to tackle crime – has been a success. DA Jason Williams was quick to step aside allowing the Attorney General to prosecute alleged criminals Troop NOLA arrested. More criminals are off the street and have filled every nook and cranny in the city’s jail cells. During the coming months, Landry plans to increase Troop NOLA’s presence in New Orleans. Yet Troop NOLA’s relationship with the NOPD is amorphous and could lead to unchartered territories and a new balance of power between the city and state policing agencies.
Landry has already put his mark on Port NOLA when he personally chose as its new chair Jefferson Parish attorney Michael Thomas who in turn just led the selection of Port NOLA’s new CEO Beth Ann Branch. The Ernest N. Morial Convention Center has also been “Landryized” with the selection of Texas businessman Russell Allen as its new chair despite Allen’s lack of hospitality industry credentials.
One of Landry’s closest confidants, entrepreneur Shane Guidry, is his eyes and ears in the city. Political leaders like Councilmember Lesli Harris – who is the lead on housing and homeless issues and whose district includes downtown New Orleans – would be smart to form an alliance with Guidry. That partnership could provide insights as to the governor’s future plans and how it will affect residents, businesses and the overall hospitality industry.
Guidry said publicly last week that Landry had been planning for some time to relocate the unhoused to a more suitable location. He also referenced reducing the amount of funds New Orleans requires from the state government. Perhaps that statement was a reference to the millions Mayor Cantrell requested to address homelessness which has not been funded.
What Guidry failed to mention is that the state is reliant on the taxes New Orleans generates through the tourism industry – hotel-motel taxes, spending by cruise ship passengers, visitors for Taylor Swift and other concerts, etc. – to help fund the state budget. Every dollar New Orleans contributes and doesn’t get back underwrites programs in other parts of Louisiana.
Legislators from outside New Orleans generally hate the city but love every tax penny it generates. Landry will probably pass much of his upcoming tax package without worrying about how it will affect local governments.
New Orleans functions best when Louisiana’s governor is a sympathetic partner willing to listen to the city’s needs and provide the funds requested. Landry might eventually fit that mold but only after he remakes New Orleans to satisfy his vision.
The 2025 Super Bowl will be Landry’s shining moment on the world stage; his chance to show the nation’s business and political leaders how he has turned the city around. If Donald Trump is elected president once again, he surely will be Landry’s special guest that weekend.
Insiders predict that Jeff Landry is going to do whatever he wants with New Orleans. He’ll fund what pleases him and withhold money from projects he doesn’t agree with. The region’s business and political leaders have little choice but to march in step to Landry’s drum. Though it may be a hard pill to swallow currently, nurturing a strong working relationship with Landry and his team is the key to growth and prosperity during the next seven years. The citizens of New Orleans deserve a brighter future.
