Question 1: As Mayor, how will you demonstrate leadership regarding water and the environment?

As a coastal city on the frontline of climate change, New Orleans doesn’t just need to prepare for the future; we need to lead it. Every storm, flood, and extreme heat wave is a reminder that our survival depends on how quickly and boldly we act today. My administration will fully support the creation of a publicly funded Green-Corps, a permanent, community-led jobs program at the intersection of climate change, infrastructure equity, and economic justice. The Green-Corps will prioritize hiring returning residents, youth, and individuals from under-resourced communities, especially those impacted by the criminal justice system, offering them training, fair wages, and a pathway to dignity and purpose. Participants will be connected to apprenticeship programs and career pipelines in water management, clean energy, and the trades to build long-term economic opportunity. This program will be co-designed with neighborhood residents, frontline organizations, and environmental justice leaders to ensure it reflects the needs and wisdom of the communities it serves, never imposed from the top down. Green-Corps projects will align with broader citywide efforts to modernize our stormwater systems, upgrade drainage in flood-prone neighborhoods, and implement long-term water management strategies. Visible, practical improvements such as rain gardens, tree planting, wetland restoration, illegal dumping removal, and blight cleanup will strengthen our city block by block. We will work hand-in-hand with regional levee boards, Sewerage & Water Board, universities, and environmental nonprofits, while building coalitions with other Gulf South cities to secure federal and state resources. To ensure transparency, we will publish public dashboards tracking funds, progress, and neighborhood impact so residents can hold us accountable. New Orleans can lead the South in building a climate-resilient economy rooted in justice and equity. My administration will make that vision real.

Question 2: Prior to Hurricane Katrina, New Orleans was supposed to be honestly protected against a 1 in 200 to 1 in 300 year storm (roughly Hurricane Katrina for New Orleans).  It was not.  After Hurricane Katrina exactly no one said this City deserved a lower level but more robust level of protection, but that is what we have.  As Mayor, what will you do to increase our hurricane storm risk reduction to at least the level we were supposed to have had pre-storm?

Hurricane Katrina exposed devastating vulnerabilities and is a painful reminder of what happens when promises are broken and systems fail. As Mayor, I will ensure New Orleanians finally receive the hurricane protection we were promised. 1. Building a United Front I will advocate in DC and Baton Rouge to raise storm risk reduction standards to the promised 1-in-300-year level. We must secure federal funds to upgrade the Hurricane and Storm Damage Risk Reduction System (HSDRRS) well before its 2032 expiration, rather than burdening local taxpayers. I will also build a Gulf Coast coalition of mayors, parish presidents, and state leaders to press Congress, FEMA, and the Army Corps with one strong voice. 2. Modernizing Infrastructure & Natural Defenses We need a strategy that strengthens levees, pumps, and surge barriers while restoring wetlands, barrier islands, and shorelines that absorb surge and reduce levee stress. Partnerships with universities, scientists, and environmental groups will bring climate-adaptive solutions to confront stronger storms. 3. Coordination Before, During & After Storms I will establish a Citywide Storm Response Hub to coordinate across agencies, nonprofits, and residents. Pre-storm action plans will define roles, resources, and evacuation logistics. Accessible communication will keep residents informed about shelters, evacuation, and recovery. Annual joint drills will keep us prepared. 4. Accountability & Transparency Independent audits will verify that funds are used effectively. A public storm protection dashboard will let residents track projects, funding, and timelines. 5. Climate-Ready New Orleans A comprehensive Climate-Ready NOLA plan will address hurricanes, sea-level rise, rainfall, and heat. Storm protection will be integrated into housing, infrastructure, and economic development to build resilience. New Orleans deserves a storm protection system that saves lives, protects neighborhoods, and ensures no one is left behind.

Question 3: New Orleans has underfunded or unfunded needs in the areas of disaster preparedness, hazard mitigation and disaster resilience. Under your leadership, how will the City secure the resources necessary to meet those needs?

I will fight for world-class storm risk reduction and disaster preparedness to ensure the safety of our residents and stability of our city. New Orleans has major gaps in preparedness, mitigation, and resilience. As Mayor, I will unite local leaders, state officials, and Gulf Coast mayors into a regional coalition to demand that Congress, FEMA, and the Army Corps deliver the 1-in-300-year protection we were promised before Katrina. Together, we’ll ensure the federal government, not local taxpayers, shoulders the massive costs when the current agreement expires in 2032. We’ll also pursue resilience bonds, dedicated revenue, and private and philanthropic partnerships to stretch every public dollar. At the same time, we will modernize defenses and strengthen natural protections: reinforcing levees, pumps, and surge barriers while restoring wetlands, barrier islands, and living shorelines. We’ll launch a citywide climate resilience strategy that cuts emissions and builds sustainability, adding solar and battery storage to public buildings, expanding electric buses and charging stations, and creating safer, walkable, bike-friendly streets. On the neighborhood level, we’ll support rain gardens, composting, and tree planting to reduce flooding, cool streets, and beautify communities. When storms come, coordination will be key. I will create a Citywide Storm Response Hub to unify residents, nonprofits, agencies, and federal partners with clear communication before, during, and after storms. We’ll expand Community Lighthouses. These solar-powered resilience hubs that stay online during outages, providing cooling, charging, and essential services so families are safe and businesses reopen quickly. Finally, accountability will be built in: independent audits and a public dashboard will track funding, timelines, and results. The people of New Orleans deserve more than survival. We deserve a city that protects every neighborhood and comes back stronger after every storm.

Question 4: As Mayor, what will you do to ensure that the New Orleans Sewerage and Water Board has the funding, resources and equipment, trained personnel and the “can do” culture to carry out its essential functions?

I will pursue a plan focused on governance reform, operational modernization, and infrastructure investment:

1. Fix the Governance Structure -Within the first 100 days, I will convene a task force with City Council members, SWB leaders, state legislators, infrastructure experts, and ratepayer reps to evaluate BGR’s proposed models: strengthening SWB as a stand-alone utility or transitioning to a municipal utility under City control. -We will develop a legislative roadmap within one year, outlining state and local policy changes to align operational responsibility with fiscal authority, including where law hinders transparency or efficiency. -I will champion a City Council reform ordinance institutionalizing performance reviews and strategic plan assessments for all SWB funding requests.

2. Modernize Operations & Customer Service I will direct SWB to issue a 90-day action plan on billing accuracy, including: -Deploying updated meter-reading technology – Auditing and clearing backlog disputes – Publishing transparent data on error rates and resolution timelines We will establish a customer advocacy office to investigate recurring complaints and ensure responsiveness.

3. Invest in Long-Term Water Infrastructure I will work with local, state, and federal partners to fund: -A Water Quality Master Plan updating aging treatment plants -A Stormwater Management Overhaul targeting flood-prone neighborhoods with green infrastructure, underground retention, and improved pump redundancy My administration will integrate climate resilience into all capital planning, ensuring new drainage and water investments support long-term survival, not quick fixes. Bottom line: We cannot afford fragmented accountability or political indecision. I will bring clear leadership, enforce oversight, and deliver the modern infrastructure our residents deserve.

Question 5: Flood protection and the provision of a safe and secure water supply is increasingly a regional challenge, as Mayor how will you engage with officials in other parishes and in state government to develop and implement long-term solutions to those challenges?

I’ve always said that New Orleans can’t just have a seat at the table. We need to help build the table where decisions are made. Nowhere is that more important than when it comes to flood protection and ensuring a safe, secure water supply. These are challenges that don’t stop at parish lines, and solving them requires us to think and act regionally. As Mayor, I will bring people together across parish boundaries and political differences. I’ve shown throughout my career that I can work effectively with local, state, and federal leaders—regardless of party or perspective—to get results for our city. My administration will prioritize building strong, lasting partnerships with neighboring parish leaders, members of the state legislature, and the Governor’s office. Together, we will clearly define our shared priorities, align on long-term goals, and speak with one voice when advocating for resources from the state and federal government. This means moving from competition to collaboration, coordinating investments in levee protection, drainage, and water systems, and creating joint emergency response plans so that our entire region is ready before, during, and after a storm. By working together strategically, we can secure the funding, infrastructure, and policies needed to protect every family in the greater New Orleans area.

Question 6: As Mayor, will you support a city-wide drainage fee? Y/N

YES

Question 7: As Mayor, what will you do to prepare the City to deal with, avoid, and mitigate the impacts of sea level rise and coastal land loss?

First, we must protect and restore our natural defenses. Healthy wetlands, barrier islands, and living shorelines are our first shield against surge and flooding. I will partner with state leaders, the Army Corps, and environmental groups to accelerate large-scale restoration, while also supporting community-driven projects like urban wetlands, tree planting, and rain gardens that improve retention and stormwater management. Second, we will modernize infrastructure to withstand rising seas and heavier rains. This means upgrading pumps, drainage, and levees to meet today’s climate realities, while expanding green infrastructure — permeable streets, bioswales, and improved sewer and water systems — to reduce flooding and safeguard water quality. Third, I will establish a Citywide Climate Action and Coastal Resilience Plan that integrates land use, housing, and economic growth with long-term climate goals. It will guide where and how we build, ensuring developments are safe, sustainable, and equitable. It will also provide pathways for vulnerable residents — from home elevation and mitigation programs to voluntary relocation when needed. Fourth, my administration will advocate aggressively at the state and federal level for funding and policies to confront coastal loss. New Orleans cannot fight this alone. By working regionally with neighboring parishes and leveraging national resources, we will secure sustained investments in coastal restoration, renewable energy, and carbon reduction strategies to tackle root causes of climate change. Finally, we will prioritize education, communication, and transparency. Residents deserve to understand the risks we face and the steps being taken to protect them. Through public dashboards, regular updates, and community meetings, we will keep every resident informed and engaged in shaping our climate future. The survival of New Orleans depends on what we do now. As Mayor, I will fight to protect our coast, strengthen resilience,

Question 8: The greatest natural hazard facing the City is not hurricanes or river flooding but rain.  As Mayor, what will you do to increase the City’s ability to handle large rain events and to recover from them when they occur?

I’ve worked for an engineering firm responsible for drainage systems, and I know how critical catch basins, pumps, and underground infrastructure are to protecting our city. As Mayor, I will prioritize the basics that matter most: cleaning clogged catch basins and repairing drainage in the lowest-lying, most flood-prone neighborhoods. These areas flood first and recover last; fixing them is essential to reducing losses and protecting families. Guided by the GNO Urban Water Plan, we’ll reinvent how we manage water. Instead of fighting it, we’ll live with it by integrating green infrastructure into historic districts and vulnerable neighborhoods with bioswales, rain gardens, permeable streets, and living shorelines that slow, store, and absorb water naturally. We’ve seen success with projects like the Mirabeau Water Garden, the Pontilly network, and the Claiborne Stormwater Park. I will scale these efforts citywide, creating a network of water-smart spaces that reduce flooding while improving quality of life. We’ll also transform abandoned schools, warehouses, and commercial buildings into resilience hubs, solar-powered centers that provide shelter, cooling, power, and resources during emergencies, while serving as neighborhood assets year-round. Modernizing energy and transportation will be another priority: -Expanding rooftop solar and battery storage on city buildings to keep services running during outages -Adding EV charging stations and moving RTA to more electric and hybrid fleets -Creating safer, walkable streets with shaded sidewalks and protected bike lanes so families can move safely across neighborhoods This work isn’t just about infrastructure; every cleaned basin, fortified pump, solar panel, and stormwater park creates good-paying local jobs and keeps wealth in our communities. By combining maintenance, green innovation, and community-driven solutions, we can build a city that doesn’t just survive heavy rains but thrives in the face of them.

Question 9: The availability and cost of insurance is a growing problem for homeowners and businesses which makes it a problem for the City.  What can the City do to make insurance more available and affordable?

As Mayor, I will confront this crisis head-on with bold, practical action. My plan lowers risk, stabilizes the insurance market, and protects residents through infrastructure investments, policy reforms, and direct support for homeowners and businesses. At the center is a Roof Fortification Program to retrofit 75,000 homes, starting with the lowest-lying, most flood-prone neighborhoods. These communities have been hit hardest by hurricanes and rising premiums. Through grants, low-cost financing, and workforce training, we’ll ensure fortified roofs that withstand hurricane-force winds and heavy rains — saving families thousands through programs like the Louisiana Fortify Homes initiative. This effort will also create good-paying local jobs, strengthening our economy while making the city safer. But fortification is just the start. We will: -Upgrade drainage and pump systems and expand green infrastructure — rain gardens, wetlands, and bioswales — to absorb stormwater and reduce flooding. -Modernize building codes and expand Community Lighthouse resilience hubs to keep power on after disasters, speed recovery, and show insurers New Orleans is lowering its risk. -Work with state and federal leaders to attract more insurers, increase competition, and demand transparency in how rates are set. -Launch a City Insurance Affordability Task Force to explore shared-risk pools, neighborhood cooperatives, and a Resilience Investment Fund to help families facing sudden premium hikes or cancellations. -Partner with nonprofits to help residents and small businesses access mitigation grants, fortified roof credits, and FEMA discounts. The insurance crisis won’t fix itself. By fortifying homes, modernizing infrastructure, and advancing reform, we can protect families, lower premiums, and build a safer, stronger, and more affordable New Orleans for generations to come.