indivisible

New Orleans
2017
Mayoral and City Council At-Large Election

Voter's Guide

WHO WILL BE THE LEADER IN THE

FIGHT FOR EQUITY IN NEW ORLEANS?
Environmental Protection
Infrastructure Investment
Campaign Finance Reform
Affordable Housing
Workforce Development
VOTE
Access to Mental Healthcare Saturday
OCTOBER 14

Indivisible New Orleans is an organization of over 2,800 members that promotes civic and community
engagement through non-partisan, grassroots activism that centers on inclusivity and intersectional
justice. We resist efforts to erode progressive momentum and the institutional framework of our
democracy by amplifying the voices of those most impacted by these threats, supporting the work of
established activist organizations, and demanding accountability from elected officials.

indivisiblenola.com
The purpose of this voting guide is to inform our membership and the general public on the views of
the candidates for New Orleans Mayor and City Council At-Large on key issues and highlight the
responses we believe are most aligned with our values.
The issues we have chosen to examine in this guide are:
Environmental Protection (page 2)
Infrastructure Investment (page 5)
Campaign Finance Reform (page 10)
Affordable Housing (page 12)
Workforce Development (page 15)
Access to Mental Healthcare (page 18)

This is by no means an exhaustive list of important issues facing our city, however, we believe
it is critical for our next city government to make addressing these issues their top priority.
We believe that these issues play a pivotal role in the fight against the two most
pervasive evils in our community: institutional racism and generational poverty.
The next administrations response to these issues can be a giant leap forward
or backward in the quest for a more equitable and inclusive New Orleans.

As you read the guide, you will see that it is organized into issue sections. At the top of each section,
you will find the responses we have highlighted as the candidate responses (in alphabetical order)
that we believe are most closely aligned with our values. The rest of the responses follow.
**Responses were NOT edited for content, spelling, grammar, etc.**

To choose the highlighted responses, we evaluated responses based on three criteria:

1. Did the candidate address all parts of the question?
2. Did they demonstrate a strong knowledge of the issue(s), and was their answer specific
(i.e. identifying a funding stream or policy proposal to address the issue)?
3. Was their response aligned to iNOLA values, and does it show a commitment to policy that
focuses on improving the lives of our most vulnerable and historically underserved citizens?

We hope that you will find this guide useful, and we encourage all
New Orleanians to exercise their right to vote on October 14th!

The questions were sent to every Mayoral and City Council At-Large campaign. They each had 10 business days to
respond, and we followed up multiple times with each of them. The campaigns that did not submit answers are not
represented in this guide. Those candidates are: Thomas Albert, Charles Anderson, Manny Bruno, Byron Cole, Edward
Collins, Sr., Frank Scurlock, Johnese Smith, Patrick Van Hoorebeek and Hashim Walters in the Mayoral Race and Joseph
Bouie, Helena Moreno, Aaron Christopher, David Baird and Jason Coleman in the City Council At-Large races.

1
 Environmental Protection
If elected, will you support or oppose the proposed Florida Avenue Freeway, Industrial Canal
Expansion and Michoud Plant projects? Will you support or oppose full funding to relocate
the residents of Gordon Plaza currently living on toxic wasteland?

Mayoral Candidates

Edward Bruski
I am against the Florida Avenue Bridge project. The bridge is not needed as per the American Truckers
Association. The fact that it will destroy 123 homes, a church, and a business is enough for me to be
opposed. The Canal situation is a bit more difficult, however. It is good that the Corps has scaled down their
proposal from the old deep draft lock. There is simply no deep traffic using that lock anymore. The proposed
big lock was going to be very disruptive to the surrounding area and a waste of funds. The shallow draft is
surprisingly minimally invasive to the surrounding community. Yes, it will be inconvenient, but this needs to
be viewed in the sense of a balance between the various concerns of the city. The handicapping of the
economic development of anything other than tourism is even worse. The plan by the Corps appears to do a
reasonable job of minimizing the impacts, and they will need to be continuously pressured to ensure that
they do. The extant lock is very old. If they started the project now, the existing lock would be 100 years old
when they finished. That is a very long time for a piece of infrastructure to operate nearly continuously, but
a structure that is there now is very old and will, at some point, need to be replaced no matter what. I am
not a proponent of the Michoud Plant project, but I am willing to listen and make concessions to ensure that
all involved are protected. I will support the funding to relocate the residents of Gordon Plaza, and I will seek
reimbursement from all responsible parties.

LaToya Cantrell
Regarding the Florida Avenue Freeway, I think we need to be very careful about even talking about an
additional freeway in a community of color, given our long history of community devastation due to
highway projects. The Industrial Canal project seeks to expand the capacity of the canal, but I am still not
clear on what direct effect that will have on the community. We should be sensitive to the expansion of an
industrial use in an area with residential activity. Regarding Michoud, we are having an ongoing
conversation about the resiliency of our power system especially in conjunction with the power needed for
the Sewage and Water, weighed against the very real environmental concerns and the possibility for using
green energy in lieu of creating another power plant. All of these issues are real, and they require more
discussion and analysis. I pledge to be engaged on all of these issues, and I will demand that neighborhoods
and residents have a voice as decisions are made on these projects.

Yes, I believe these residents deserve to be relocated, but the plan for relocation must be feasible. We need
to talk about this in context of the cost and the potential solutions for relocation.

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 Environmental Protection, Continued
Michael Bagneris:
Florida Avenue Freeway requires further study
Industrial Canal Expansion requires further study
Michoud Plant requires further study though am disinclined to support, strong burden of proof from Entery required.
Gordon Plaza - I believe the people should always receive fair compensation for damages.

Desiree Charbonnet:
If we are going to attract businesses and individuals to come to our city we need infrastructure improvements. And infrastructure
improvements must coexist in a mutually beneficial way with neighborhoods. Too often in the past, we have failed to work with
both those in mind. With the right leadership we can address the issues that are important to the residents, and we can still
accomplish the intended goals. But leaders have to bring people to the table to have meaningful conversations in order to reach
our goals. The conditions at Gordon Plaza are unacceptable, to say the least. I do support the relocation of those residents currently
living on top of a toxic wasteland that was established in 1981. Its past due.

Brandon Dorrington:
If elected I would strongly oppose the Florida Avenue Freeway, Industrial Canal Expansion, and the Michoud Plant projects due to
the possible air, land , and water pollution it could possibly cause. Although it may be financially beneficial to some it would be
detrimental to most. I will support full funding to relocate residents of Gordon Plaza currently living on toxic wasteland.

Troy Henry:
I support the Florida Ave Freeway; which will help reduce traffic. I am undecided [re: Industrial Canal]. I want to study this more.
I support the new Michoud Plant because if we want to grow the economy with more jobs, we will need the additional power.
The people living at Gordon Plaza should be relocated, but all Superfund relocations should be funded by the Federal
Government.

Matt Hill:
The Florida Avenue Expressway is a subject that I would like to know more about. I have read the 2013 Feasibility Study, and I
believe that the alternatives that have been proposed are viable. I have questions about the section that crosses the solid waste
landfill area. Is the plan to remove the toxic waste and make the area safer? By using the alternatives are we just letting a major
problem go unresolved? I have a lot more questions that neither online descriptions nor the Feasibility Study answers so; I am
willing to put it on hold until I get more information. Expansion of the Industrial Canal needs some guarantees that have not been
addressed. I have seen how dilapidated the docks and parts of the industrial canal are and I want to know more about what
maintenance has been performed over the years. I realize the threat of barges running into a flood wall, but I also realize that the
barge is parallel to the berm and when forced into the berm it would run it aground parallel to the floodwall, minimizing or
eliminating damage to the flood wall. I also realize that the flood walls are not ready to withstand a Category 5 or God forbid, a
Category 6. I demand that any new construction regarding our infrastructure significantly exceeds standards. Gordon Plaza zone
needs to be quarantined and the citizens need to be moved. The cleanup, on the other hand, is not something that will be easy or
quick. The major issue is where to put these residents. We cannot just kick them out for the right reasons but not have an action
plan on how to relocate these families. As Mayor, I will begin moving on an action committee to get these people moved, and the
area quarantined. It is absurd that the city has let people move to this area. The action committee will find grants, funding, and
other resources to begin relocating these families. I am interested in breaking up the monopoly that Entergy has in Orleans Parish. I
will put a halt to their extending operations, and we will call in another energy company to bury our power lines and begin
building greener power infrastructure. Customers will be able to choose which power company they would like so that the
companies have to lower prices to compete. In the end, we MUST update and upgrade our entire infrastructure, which includes
bridges, roads, and quite possibly the Industrial Canal. I am not in favor of band-aid solutions to our infrastructure work; I want
innovative solutions that solve several problems at once. My standards are high and so will the work done during my
administration.

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 Environmental Protection, Continued
Derrick Martin:
As Mayor, it is critically important to be well informed on decisions that can grow the economy but have an adverse effect on the
residents. Unfortunately, I dont have enough information or facts to intelligently comment on this question. I can tell you that it
would be a thoughtful and engaged conversation with community and business leaders. I can also say unequivocally that safety of
residents is a #1 Priority

Tommie Vassel:
Based on the information I have at this time, I am opposed to the above projects. I would support relocating the residents of Gordon
Plaza currently living on toxic wasteland and seek funding to support the efforts.

City Council At-Large 1

Kenneth Cutno:
The destruction of people property is not good (OPPOSE.) Our tax dollars must be used to fix our streets and build our
infrastructure to bring better, high paying jobs for local people in New Orleans. YES FULL FUNDING [re: Gordon Plaza]

City Council At-Large 2

David Nowak
I believe increased connectivity is good for residents and commerce, and so I would say I am tentatively
supportive of the Florida Avenue Freeway. I do believe there needs to be more community input and
would only support the project if environmental impact was minimized. I recognize the economic arguments
put forward for the Industrial Canal Expansion, but until the Army Corps of Engineers waives their
sovereign immunity I do not trust, nor do I support any projects they propose. I am 100% strongly opposed
to the Michoud Power Plant. My platform seeks a 100% green energy city grid by 2030... I have no
patience for a $216 million dollar project that seeks to burn fossil fuels when we can harvest all the energy
we need from solar, wind, and hydraulic power. I strongly support full funding for relocation of residents in
Gordon Plaza. Gordon Plaza is a shameful example of the institutional racism of New Orleans Past and
Present, but in the 21st Century New Orleans that I envision that will be swiftly remediated in the near
Future.

Jason Williams
I have made my opposition to the Industrial Canal Expansion known through meetings with stakeholders
and at public meetings. I do not believe enough research has been conducted yet to make a decision on the
Florida Avenue project or a plant in New Orleans East. I absolutely support full funding to relocate
residents of Gordon Plaza. It is an issue I have been working on with those residents since the very
beginning of my time as a City Councilmember. My office is collaborating with Gordon Plaza residents and
their advocates to pass Master Plan amendments which could grant relief and relocation.

4
 Infrastructure Investment
What are your plans for improving the city's infrastructure (specifically public transportation,
flood pumps, fixing streets)?

Mayoral Candidates

*We felt that none of the mayoral candidates answered the question fully and/or did not focus on building equity in their
infrastructure investment plans. Therefore, none of their responses have been highlighted.*

Michael Bagneris:
For street repairs I will commit all revenues generated from traffic cameras to street and infrastructure repairs. Now, as for the
S&WB, weve got work to do. First we must conduct a comprehensive audit by a third party. We need to fully understand whats
going on in terms of operations, true condition of assets, capacity, infrastructure and waste. The Board and City government have
been less than forthright. We need a complete and accurate picture before we can address the systemic deficiencies therein. And to
ensure complete transparency and accountability, the firm selected to conduct that assessment should not be eligible to contract for
long-term management responsibilities. We need to have the facts before we act.

Once the audit is complete, I will solicit policy recommendations from the National Regulatory Research Institute to help build out the
best organizational and governance structure for the Sewerage and Water Board. I will not privatize our water. Yet it should be
clear to all that the current governance structure simply does not work. Our water and drainage systems are far too critical to the
livability of our City to risk another misstep. How we restructure this entity must be done right and I will not indulge in idle
speculation as to what that may look like for the sake of political expediency.

Simultaneous to this, we will take informed emergency steps to get our pumping stations working at capacity. I realize this will be a
short term fix and costly at that, but our homes, history, and livelihoods are worth it. Its clear that those turbines and pumps have
been held together with spit and glue for decades now, and it will take a lot of both to get them up and running until we have a
functional system with true and trustworthy leadership at the top. At the end of the day though, we must MUST realize that
this is not a problem we can pump our way out of. But as of now pumps are our first and only line of defense. We must
change that. The more we pump the more we subside and the worse the problem becomes. We need to embrace, and learn to live
with water. The City is sitting on at least $141 million for green infrastructure projects and has yet to spend one dime. We have
stormwater best management practices requirements in the CZO but there appears to be a disconnect between the rules and their
application. Weve got to do a better job enforcing the rules on the books.

Edward Bruski:
I will investigate bringing red streetcars and/or busses on a timed basis for handicapped access. I will work to increase the amount of
busses to pre-Katrina level to ensure we can get under the 30-minute commute time. As to the S&WB issue, I will call for a 100%
investigation into funding and sending of the Board. I will keep it city operated, but a review of all leadership positions will be
reviewed, and I will aggressively pursue qualified people to be part of our team. Streets will be reviewed from a triage standpoint:
worse first. Turning streets into one way to ease congestion is a simple way to manage traffic issues, i.e. Washington Avenue from St
Charles Avenue to Tchoupitoulas should be a one-way street.

5
 Infrastructure Development, Continued
LaToya Cantrell:
The S&WB failures and responses to the recent flooding were completely unacceptable and demonstrated that we need
immediate improvements to our drainage system and a mayor with a plan to keep New Orleans safe from flooding. Recognizing
that this is a public safety issue, LaToya offers an action plan for immediate results and offers a way forward to fix our crumbling
infrastructure, improve drainage and most importantly protect our residents.

Short Term: Improve Drainage and Reduce Uncertainty:

Immediately invest in improving our current system.
The City has begun to do that by tapping into the sewage and water board reserve fund and City reserves in order repair
pumps, generators and storm drains.
However, there is still much more to do. We should begin to grow our Department of Public Works, as well as our Sanitation,
and Parks and Parkways departments.
These departments provide necessary maintenance to our landscape and infrastructure, and a properly functioning pump
system is useless without clean, properly functioning storm drains.
Improve communication between DPW, S&WB and the Corps of Engineers, so each is aware what the other entities are doing,
especially during large rain events.
Sustainably Invest in Our Infrastructure and Triple Maintenance Funding:
Create an infrastructure fund that protects funding for maintenance
New Orleans has underfunded our maintenance needs for years.
Many of the revenue sources created from traffic and road related fees and fines never get directed back into our
infrastructure.
LaToya will direct necessary revenue into a maintenance fund to provide for the needs of our city and to prevent those dollars
from being used for other purposes.
Work with the Orleans Delegation to get a portion of hotel sales and occupancy taxes dedicated toward infrastructure.
The Convention had a reserve of over $200 million last year, and collected $20 million over its operating costs in tax revenue.
The City cannot afford divert millions of dollars to an unused reserve fund when City maintenance and infrastructure needs are
woefully underfunded.
Additionally, many residents do not believe that the strategic decisions to bolster the travel and tourism industries have
benefitted their quality of life.
Using those hotel dollars to fund infrastructure strengthens the connection between the health of the tourism industry and the
day-to-day quality of life of New Orleans residents. Streets that dont flood benefit tourism and residents, many of who work in
the tourism industry.
Dedicate local City revenue to the infrastructure fund.
LaToya will steer lease revenue from large scale projects like the World Trade Center towards the fund.
She will also direct property tax revenue into the fund from development projects subsidized with tax abatements and PILOTs
(Payment in Lieu of Tax).
She will incentivize the public sector to sell unwanted and unneeded properties and get them back on the tax rolls and partner
with nonprofits to put their properties back to productive use in exchange from long term payments to the city. The revenue
generated from these initiatives can be directed toward the infrastructure fund.
Plan for the Long-Term Future of the City:
Increase coordination of services and construction projects to decrease redundancy and ensure that we are appropriately living
with water
Connect all agenciesS&WB, DPW and the Corpsto share data and determine a comprehensive plan for ensuring drainage
and retaining water, which are not contradictory measures.
Improve the coordination construction projects so that stormwater management best practices are incorporated into all city
construction contracts.
Clean up the citys stormwater zoning and land use requirements so that property owners can better understand and comply.

6
 Infrastructure Development, Continued
LaToya Cantrell, Continued...
Empower neighborhoods to improve their environments through green and clean initiatives and increasing private clean-up
efforts.
Expand LaToyas Green and Clean initiative that would allow neighborhood groups to enter vacant and blighted lots to clean
them of debris and erect barrier fences that would prevent future dumping
Coordinate volunteer clean-up efforts through the Department of Neighborhood Engagement
Create an Adopt a Catch Basin program that connects neighborhood associations with individual maintenance projects in their
area.
Invest in infrastructure that incorporates the principles of living with water and the work of the Urban Water Plan.
Create an incentive program that encourages the use of modern stormwater management techniques in to residential and
commercial construction.
Encourage and facilitate rehabilitation projects that lower individual flood insurance rates.
Create a long-term plan to fund the Urban Water Plan.

In addition, LaToya has spelled out these broader initiatives to improve our infrastructure:
STREETS, WATER, BLIGHT Coordinate services / Stop nickeling and diming citizens
Dedicate revenue from development projects to maintain streets and water system.
Increase departmental coordination for street and water, electric, and cable utilities;
Improve enforcement on businesses and landlords that create blight.
Improve dumping and blight enforcement and increase private cleanup efforts.
Increase City worker pay and reward good work with merit increases.
Suspend the traffic camera program until proven to improve traffic safety.

Desiree Charbonnet:
We must improve our cities public transportation. Right now, it takes too long for someone who works in the East to take a bus
ride to get to work on time. I plan to add more bus routes to RTA as well as examine public transit plans that we can implement
in our city to help our citizens get where they need to be efficiently. As mayor, it is crucial that our citizens know that their homes
and property are not at risk because of ineffectiveness at the Sewerage & Water Board. The first step to reestablishing credibility
is a full-scale evaluation and report. We have to get to the bottom of the August 5th flood, and every other facet of SWB
operations. From there we can develop a strategic plan and appropriate funding mechanisms. In addition, we must also work to
fix the streets of New Orleans that have only gotten worse. Street repair will be a high priority. Sound infrastructure helps reduce
crime, attract economic development, and increase quality of life. Its a basic city function, and we should be able to count on it.

Brandon Dorrington:
My plans to improving the citizen infrastructure are to create funding through re-organizing the city budget, stimulating economic
mobility which will provide additional funding, resources, and employment in order to ensure quality work, 21st century planning,
implementation, and safety. I will create better accountability, quarterly and annual maintence inspections, and increased
technology and efficiency.

Troy Henry:
This is an enormous question, and space will not permit a complete answer. But included in the drainage solution will be the
following: permeable concrete & asphalt on public properties, parks for water retention, regular cleaning of catch basins &
canals, and migration of S&WB power away from 25Hz power.

Matt Hill:
The current quality of maintenance on the streets is absolutely unacceptable. The entire maintenance system will be gutted and
replaced. Currently, the city is just resurfacing our streets down 6 to 12 inches, and this is insufficient. Our city continually finds

7
 Infrastructure Development, Continued
Matt Hill, Continued...
sinkholes under the streets, and our public works department does not know where all of the sinkholes are, thus, the entire street
system needs to be replaced, not resurfaced. The structural integrity of our streets is uncertain at best. Also concrete and asphalt
have proven to be sub-par materials for our road system. I am proposing an entirely different road system. Since we need to find
all the sinkholes, we have no choice but to dig up EVERY street and replace the base structure completely. If we are going to
have to do this anyway, then lets solve multiple problems at once with a redesign of how our road system functions. I am
proposing that the immediate surface of our streets is made of permeable recycled plastic and under that lies layers of aggregate
all contained within a concrete canal structure allowing water to drain through our streets. What I am proposing is turning our
entire street grid into a drivable canal system. This will collect and drain ALL runoff water and corral it to pumping stations. The
pumps installed in this system will be able to pump water in different directions throughout the system so that we can control
water flow to anywhere within the system. Because we are not letting runoff water pool or collect we will not be allowing it to
seep down into the water table. Remember, we are sinking/subsiding because we are pumping water from the ground to
regulate the water table. We are causing our sinking, and this road system will allow us to cease this destructive behavior. Once
all of our streets are connected, our street system will function as a giant irrigation channel. By combining our Rain Water, Storm
Surge systems, with our road system, we will be able to diversify our funding strategies. We will also be able to dissolve the
S&WB and move its operations under Public Works where it belongs.

Derrick Martin:
As it relates to Flood Pumps, I would certainly seek out the most highly qualified expert in this field to lead SWB. There is no
room to settle for less than the best. Hire a national or international professional in this area would ensure that we have Systems
and Processes in place to ensure a functional system. Furthermore, I would demand that community be informed on how we
plan to monitor, test and perform ongoing proactive maintenance. Cost is estimated to be in the billions and streets cannot be
repaired without significant assessments. If we continue to patch the roads, we only cause more problems for ourselves. To
accomplish street repairs in an efficient and cost effective manner an assessment of our sewage and waterlines needs to be
completed. In repairing roads, we will have to replace the sewage and waterlines which is causing the deteriorating roads. Due
to possible LEAD seeping into our waterlines, there may be an opportunity to tap into State & Federal Funds via Emergency
Funding. As an Independent Candidate, I would work humbly and diligently with our U.S Senators, Congressmen and Gov
officers toward resolution. Lastly, simultaneously I would scrub our city budget as it is estimated that more than 20% can be
trimmed. These funds can be reallocated to pressing issues such as infrastructure.

Tommie Vassel:
I was elected President Pro-tem of the Sewerage and Water Board after Hurricane Katrina devastated the agency. I lobbied
FEMA and brought back $650 million to repair the SWB system. I fixed it after Katrina and I will fix it again if you elect me
Mayor. I will insist on more routes during times that accommodate our citizens. I also plan to lobby Congress for light rail from
New Orleans East to downtown. If we focus on light rail just in Orleans Parish we do not have to seek the support of the
Governor by trying to expand it across parish lines and to Baton Rouge. My administration will work to expedite spending the
FEMA $2.4 billion awarded for streets in an equitable manner throughout the city.

City Council At-Large 1

Kenneth Cutno:
1.Add 300 new buses to the route and 10-15 minutes pick up time, so that people can get to work on time. 2. Merge the Sewer
and Water Board under the city council control. Add the council member to the S&WB and merge Public works department
with the S&WB. 3. Invest our FEMA $2 billion dollars in infrastructure to fix our streets and the $411 Million Community
Development Block Grant money to revitalize our community. Our tax dollars must be used to fix our streets and build our
infrastructure to bring better, high paying jobs for local people in New Orleans.
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 Infrastructure Development, Continued

City Council At-Large 2

David Nowak

Expand and Replace not Repair until 2025. Specifically public transit: my goal is to have 80% of Orleans
Parish within a 30 minute travel time, 100% of city limits within 45 minutes. I want New Orleans to have
multiple light rail connections connecting Algiers and New Orleans East with the rest of the city. A long
term goal should be to expand that network to surrounding parishes and Baton Rogue. All transit stops
should have shelter and seating.

Flood pumps: I fully intend to absorb Sewerage and Water Board under city control. We are going to
seriously rethink how we handle water, but more importantly, somberly reflect on the grave danger we face
now, should we not act. Our pumps and electrical supply will be entirely 21st Century, but we also will
invest in rainwater collection and retention, permeable surfaces, and more tree canopy.

Fixing streets: The city is currently only funding street maintenance at 10% at best of what is required yearly
to maintain our roads. I will commit at least $50 million dollars a year towards street maintenance, Moving
forward I am committing to the complete removal of lead pipes in our city by 2025. We will not be the
next Flint, Michigan! As these pipes are identified and removed, we will coordinate removal and
replacement with a complete overhaul and replacement of street surfaces to permeable pavement,
excepting high density street corridors where asphalt is necessary.

Jason Williams:
I have been working with the RTA on their Strategic Master Plan to improve public transportation in this city. Through the budget
process I secured funding to redesign and structurally improve five of the most dangerous intersections in the city for pedestrians
and cyclists. These improvements will include new signaling, crosswalk striping and other safety features to prevent death or injury
for New Orleanians at heavily travelled intersections. The recent flooding of our city caused by faulty pumps was and continues
to be a huge cause of concern for me. The level of disrepair of our vital infrastructure and the mismanagement of city agencies
calls for an in depth audit to account for every penny weve ever received or spent on water management. We need to live with
our water safely and smartly. In addition to pumps that work and catch basins that drain, we also need to be innovative with rain
barrels and gardens, canals and permeable pavement. Traditionally there has been a prioritization of major street repair. Minor
streets are incredibly important to those that live on or frequently traverse them. We must spread our limited resources so
everyone feels some level of relief in street maintenance.

9
 Campaign Finance Reform
Do you support or oppose lowering the current maximum individual contribution amount of
$5,000 and restricting the ability of corporations and LLCs to contribute to campaigns?

Mayoral Candidates

Edward Bruski
I support campaign reform, and I support the lowering of the individual contribution amount of $5,000, as
well as restricting the ability of corporations and LLCs to contribute to campaigns. Special interest groups
should not dictate our election process.

Tommie Vassel
If I would support limits based on the number of registered voters in the office that you are seeking. If there
are only 30,000 voters in a district race, then coming up with an amount per voter. As an example, $5 per
voter which would equal $150,000. Not sure what the dollar amount should be, but that would level the
playing field. Then we would look at qualifications and not bank accounts.
Michael Bagneris:
Id support campaign finance reform and strongly disagree with the SCOTUS Citizens United ruling.

LaToya Cantrell:
I am in favor of campaign finance reform, although I do not have any specific proposal as to what these new limits would look like
or how they would be implemented.

Desiree Charbonnet:
I am a strong supporter of sound campaign finance regulations, especially those emphasizing transparency. The scourge of dark
money is a blight on our national politics.

Brandon Dorrington:
I support lowering the individual contribution amount of $5,000 and restricting the ability of corporations and LLCs to contribute
to campaigns.

Troy Henry:
I oppose

Matt Hill:
I do not support lowering the individual contribution or restricting corporations from contributing. How much money a company can
donate is irrelevant. People do not vote based on which companies have given candidates money. Voters do not discriminate based
on money, but civic organizations, media outlets, and activist alliances do. Civic organizations, media outlets, and activist alliances

10
 Campaign Finance Reform, Continued
are the WORST offenders when it comes to financial discrimination in politics. Organizations that host forums should NOT
discriminate against Candidates based on POLLS or FUNDING. Anyone who EVER has a forum and does not invite EVERY
candidate is the problem, not the companies backing a candidate. This problem is constantly occurring. Forums are leaving several
candidates out based on monetary filing status, thus engaging in discrimination. I find that many organizations are basing who
they invite off of financial information which limits the conversation and keeps lesser-known candidates from getting their name
out there. This practice penalizes candidates like me who are funding their own campaign and not spending all their money at
once. Until groups stop using finances as a reason for discrimination, the silencing of candidates will continue. Political groups and
alliances need to realize that they are exacerbating the problem that they are trying to solve through campaign finance reform.
They are the ones making judgments on what messages should be heard based on funding, not the voter.

Derrick Martin:
Yes, Yes, I support Campaign Finance Reform

City Council At-Large 1

Kenneth Cutno:
Yes.

City Council At-Large 2

David Nowak
I am proud of the fact that my campaign's message has been enough to propel me into double digit polling.
Especially so as I still have not opened a campaign account or accepted a single donation. I strongly believe
that all elections, if you desire the most transparent and optimal outcome, should be publicly financed. I
support overturning Citizens United, but until that happens on the national level, I fear there is not much I
can do to restrict the participation of corporations. Certainly we should pursue a reduction in the $5,000
cap to a more reasonable $2,000.

Jason Williams:
I do not have strong feelings one way or another.

11
 Affordable Housing
If elected will you focus on rental affordability or increasing home-ownership? What tools do you
favor for increasing affordable housing (zoning incentives, tax exemptions, soft financing, etc.)?

Mayoral Candidates

LaToya Cantrell
You have to do both. This is not either-or. This issue will require multiple solutions, including inclusionary
zoning, but my plan focuses on three things. We need to incentivize affordable housing preservation, create
a first time home ownership abatement, and create a gap financing program for the creation of new
affordable housing. All of these tools will require additional flexibility from the state, and I will work with our
delegation to get that flexibility.

LaToya has spelled out these initiatives:

EMPOWER NEIGHBORHOODS Provide affordable housing options for local citizens
Increase economic activity in struggling neighborhoods by targeting resources and
development incentives / Relocate city government offices.
Offer incentives for landlords to moderate rent.
Encourage new housing in keeping with the character and affordability of our neighborhoods.
Transfer remaining Road Home properties to new homeowners / Incentives for local citizens.
Encourage employers to provide down payment assistance for their employees
Reform the lien process and provide property tax relief to struggling families.
Help families own homes and build wealth / First-time owner tax abatement program.
Prioritize vacant property development and increase access to capital for development.

Desiree Charbonnet
My administration will prioritize the development of safe, healthy and affordable rental units and increasing
homeownership, especially first-time homeownership, near jobs and essential public services. In order to do
this we will improve and develop policies and programs to preserve and protect established residential
neighborhoods, including additional restrictions on short-term rentals (STRs) and improving planning and
enforcement processes. I will work to clear the title and tax issues preventing many languishing, blighted
properties from being put back into commerce and developed. I support the Smart Housing Mix and will
also Increase funding for HousingNOLA initiatives by creating a sustainable, dedicated, new source of
funding for housing issues, planning and financial assistance for renters, homebuyers and programs for the
homeless. Specifically, I want to link major new projects, the development and redevelopment of properties
throughout the city. With each new project that commences in New Orleans beginning in 2018, new money
would be dedicated to additional affordable housing. This method of generating financial support has the
potential to generate more resources than the current methods of funding affordable housing plans.

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 Affordable Housing, Continued
Michael Bagneris:
One of the first things we can do to decrease rental costs is enforcing and even tightening the restrictions on STRs. Thats one of the
first things we can do to try to return the rental market to a level of normalcy. But Id really like to focus more on home ownership
as a pathway rather than then rental side. Though so much as been done since 2005, we still have a blight problem and blight is a
breeding ground for crime as well as a roadblock for economic development. Id like to evaluate and refocus efforts on returning
blighted properties to commerce because when done right, this is a self-funding, potentially even profitable initiative that will have
multiple impacts on our community including providing stable, affordable housing. Its also how we would grow our middle class.

Three ideas on creating more affordable housing:

1. Work with area non-profits, high schools and local community colleges to create vo-tech, skilled carpentry trade courses wherein
young people get training and credit as they repair blighted housing which is returned to commerce at an affordable price; Partners
already exist such as NRG, Common Ground and Habitat for Humanity. These renovated properties would then be made available
to families within 120% of the FPL
2. Create public-private partnerships with local contractors wherein they improve blighted properties and once sold, there is a profit
splitting agreement with the City;
3. Revitalize sweat equity programs wherein individuals can buy blighted properties by trading the costs of their improvements
against the value of the blighted property, returning it to commerce at an affordable price for their family.

Edward Bruski:
I will focus on both rental affordability and home ownership affordability. Home ownership can be done by a rent-to-own program
through selling of city-held property and/or homes from blighted properties with incentives to contractors to build affordable homes.
Millage/property tax exemption can be granted to new homeowners for a limited amount of time to establish their home. I am
against impact zone fees, and I am willing to working with area banks to support soft financing.

Brandon Dorrington:
If elected I will focus more on increasing home ownership in order to generate more economic growth, increased funding for
infrastructure, schools, and public safety. Zoning incentives will most definitely be a tool used to increase affordable housing along
with soft financing.

Troy Henry:
Both. Tax incentives for small rental property owners, soft 2nd mortgages, and rent to own properties

Matt Hill:
First, we need to stop over-saturating the market west of the Industrial Canal. We are building too much too fast, and it is causing
speculation to overinflate the prices of homes in Orleans Parish. This is only exacerbated by the shotty work, overbilling, and a
shrinking population. I will delay recovery districts and spread out their project lifetime to curb the over-speculation that is ruining
neighborhoods across the city. I will focus on growth in New Orleans East, the gateway to New Orleans. We are going to use a
concept called Urban Centers to deal with affordable housing, busing, jobs, economic growth, and parking. Urban Centers are
primarily used in Suburban areas and are designed to mimic a busy city block. It is usually a 1sqmile plot of land with at least one
high-rise mixed-used zoning building that houses residential, retail, and commercial uses. The area surrounding the high-rise consist
of a grocery store, entertainment, restaurants, outdoor plaza, parking, bus depot, shopping, green-space, government services, and
apartments. Urban Centers are designed to preserve low-income housing while providing jobs and easy access to transportation and
education. I want to grow New Orleans East into an area that people want to live and raise their children. Urban Centers improve
economies and ease access for the citizen. I will engage in lowering property taxes, taxes on grocery stores, fines, fees, and
paperwork across the board so that we can begin lowering the cost of living for our citizens. This is critical for our citizens who are
on fixed incomes. The key to bringing down the cost of living is bringing down the cost of doing business with the city.

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 Affordable Housing, Continued
Derrick Martin:
As Mayor I will put an emphasis on home ownership but simultaneously work on rental affordability. The city is in possession of
more than 35k blighted properties. I have already spoken and created pilot programs which provide incentives for developers to
partner with local economic development organization and associations in putting the properties back into commerce. The deal
simply calls for Cooperative Endeavor Agreement with local orgnizations which permit them to take ownership of their community
under the City guide. This permits for increased property taxes for the city, blight removals, sustainable model to support local
community groups and provide affordable rents and home ownership. Yes, zoning incentives and PILOTS and financing via
Foreign Direct Investment would be viable options given it creates Win-Win

Tommie Vassel:
I plan to focus on affordable home ownership as well as affordable housing for renters - especially seniors. I was a founding
member of Providence which rebuilt the Lafitte housing development and other housing within the Treme neighborhood. I want to
get the remaining properties that NORA has and use them to renovate and build affordable houses for purchase and for rent. I
want to use properties for homeowners first and then for prospective developers after.

City Council At-Large 1

Kenneth Cutno:
Affordable Housing for NOLA Artists, Entertainers, Musicians and low-income and working class people. Investment of $17 million
Community Development Block Grant money for New Orleans affordable housing programs, loans, down payment on homes,
section 8 voucher and grants, along with rental assistance to the residents of New Orleans for home ownership. We will guarantee
the home loans through the Finance Authority of New Orleans. The Finance Authority of New Orleans (FANO) is a housing and
development finance agency serving all New Orleanians to better our community. The Finance Authority of New Orleans provide
mortgage financing for low-to-moderate income families and credit support for affordable rental and community development
projects. I will sell the city 50,000 blighted property/real estate and pay off all the outstanding civil judgments lodged against the
city, which affects the citys credit rating and also removes the city from the real estate development, so that all of our residents can
afford to live in a New Orleans home. We aim to give every New Orleanian the opportunity to access capital needed for a decent
standard of living by way of homeownership and community investment.

City Council At-Large 2

Jason Williams
I believe that responsible housing policy includes planning for both increased home ownership and increased
rental affordability. True affordability for all New Orleanians means developing units that are at AMI, just
below and in the deeply affordable range. We are currently building an Inclusionary Zoning plan as well as
looking at increased density through the Master Plan to grow our affordable housing stock. Through my
position as a Councilmember I intend to continue to work with the legislature and LHC to prioritize New
Orleans for HOME dollars and other State or Federal funding.

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 Affordable Housing, Continued
David Nowak:
New Orleans historically had some of the highest rates of home ownership especially when considering people of color as a
subset. That historical trend has been reversed in years and decades past, and so I will be seeking a number of policies to increase
home ownership, but also make rentals more affordable for those who have no desire to own their own home. I tend to be
adverse to tax ememptions and zoning incentives, as I feel these programs usually only reward those with the time and
connections to make use of them. First and foremost to make both renting and home ownership affordable I think the city needs
to come down hard on AirBnBs in violation of our current regulations, and change the current statute to tie homestead exemption
requirements for any AirBnB listing. I will seek to create a New Orleans Federal Credit Union with the specific mandate to
provide affordable financing for home loans to our local residents. I also intend to begin a massive housing construction initiative
across the city, using the 1,000 plus empty HANO owned lots to build energy efficient green powered tiny homes. These homes
can be allotted for a variety of purposes. Cheap homes that any working family could afford, affordable rent-to-own housing,
short and long term shelter for domestic abuse victims and homeless.

Workforce Development
The cost of living continues to skyrocket in New Orleans while wages and job growth have
stagnated. If elected, will you support or oppose instituting a $15 living wage for city workers
and requiring employers who contract with the city to do the same for their workers? Do you
support or oppose offering monetary or other incentives to local businesses who hire formerly
incarcerated persons as a crime prevention and workforce development strategy?

Mayoral Candidates

Desiree Charbonnet
Yes, I support a $15 minimum wage to be phased in. I will also focus on job training and workforce
development so that we can attract higher-paying jobs. As mayor, I will require contractors that contract
with the city to uphold the set minimum wage. I support incentivizing business owners to work with
formerly incarcerated people in reentry. It is important that we not only educate business owners, but
encourage them in any way we can to help people become positive contributors to society.
I support Ban the Box policies.

Matt Hill
I certainly will push for a higher living wage for our city workers and contract employees. However, I am
not sure that $15 is enough. We will find out what the proper living wage may be, because it may be closer
to $19. I am interested in Banning the Box because it does nothing but continue the cycle of crime by not

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 Workforce Development, Continued
Matt Hill, Continued...
allowing formerly incarcerated individuals from getting a meaningful job and holding them back from
possible careers. Keeping former criminals unemployed is a good way of forcing them to go back to
crime to survive. I also believe that we need some job training through our prison system so that when
people come out of prison, they will have new skills so they will be ready to join the workforce when
they get out. Just bringing companies to New Orleans is not enough to create the employment and
jobs we need here in New Orleans. We need to open new markets so that thousands of people can
participate in the new economy. I want to focus on entrepreneurialism because a small business
provides an average of 4 jobs, and the more citizens we have starting their own businesses, the more
our local population benefits. I will reduce the cost of a business license to $26 so that anyone can take
a shot at their dream. And, if they fail then it only cost $26 to take another shot. In this economy, we
can't rely on someone to give us a job; sometimes we need to create our own jobs.
Michael Bagneris:
I support a living wage & would give bonus points to city contractors who provide living wages & participate in reentry programs.

Edward Bruski:
I am willing to discuss making a living wage for all city workers and contractors. I do support offering formerly incarcerated persons
an opportunity at employment. The businesses in the city know the needs of their companies better than the city itself. However, we
will have table-top discussions and meetings with local business owners about the importance of giving formerly incarcerated
persons an opportunity at rejoining the workforce.

LaToya Cantrell:
I am in favor of a higher minimum wage. Like all of these issues, we need to look at the context in order to develop a feasible
timeline for how we get to where we want to be in terms of wages. I would support this.

Brandon Dorrington:
I will most definitely support a $15 living wage for city workers and require employers contracted with the city to do the same for
workers. I strongly support monetary and other incentives to local businesses who hire formerly incarcerated persons as a crime
prevention and workforce development strategy.

Troy Henry:
I would like to increase the minimum wage for City Employees and contractors employees. The real equivalent to 1968 minimum
wage would be about $10/hour. I support.

Derrick Martin:
I would certainly look at increasing the wage.. through my recent studies it would definitely be between $12-$15/hr. I will also
support feasible incentives to companies that will hire formerly incarcerated persons. Finally, I will redirect a portion of WIOA
Funding to be directed toward person with prior offenses.

Tommie Vassel:
As a CPA with over 36 years of experience preparing and managing budgets, I will not support a $15 raise for every city worker
without a thorough analytical review of the City's budget. I would definitely support incentives to local businesses to hire formerly
incarcerated persons. As immediate past Chairman of Catholic Charities, we have a program "Conerstone Builders" that works
with formerly incarcerated individuals so I definitely support programs and incentives that assist those individuals getting jobs to
support their families and loved ones.

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 Workforce Development, Continued

City Council At-Large 1

Kenneth Cutno
Yes, I will fight for $18hr and unionization. We must reform our criminal justice system to abolish
unnecessary background checks for employment and help individuals convicted of non-violent crime find
meaningful employment. How can we build a strong family and community when many of our kids
fathers, sons, and brothers are in jail or have been arrested for non-violent crimes, and when released they
cannot find jobs to help support their families. We must strengthen families to put an end to poverty and
crime and build communities where we all can live in healthy, thriving communities. We must look at tax
cuts for small businesses to increase salaries for employees. I support

City Council At-Large 2

David Nowak
Seattle has proven beyond a shadow of doubt that all arguments against raising the minimum wage
because it is a "job killer" has been proven unwarranted. The exact opposite has happened there... a net
creation of jobs has happened as the working class has more money to spend in their community raising
demand for goods and services and spurring job creation, which pays a living wage, thereby creating a
positive feedback loop. I support #FightFor15 but my policy platform goes farther than that. I will pursue a
$18/hr minimum but not forget about the tipped wage minimum of $2.13 which has not changed since
1991. I will pursue a $8/hr minimum for tipped workers as well. I do not support providing monetary
incentives to businesses. I do generally support "Banning the Box" when it comes to employment
applications, and am seeking a complete ban on the use of prison labor in Orleans Parish. All the city needs
to do is provide leadership in hiring many of the victims of its decades of mass incarceration. We don't need
to spend 8 figure sums of taxpayer dollars hiring private companies who still can't clean every catch basin.
We will be hiring local residents from heavily impacted communities, especially formerly incarcerated
African American males, to do many of the entry level positions of my many public works initiatives.
Workforce training programs in construction can be implemented side by side with a paying job.

Jason Williams
I supported the the Living Wage Ordinance in 2015 that raised wages and provided paid sick days for City
contractors and recipients of grants. Yes, I support raising that wage amount to $15. Yes, I support incentives
for businesses who hire formerly incarcerated persons. As a long-time advocate of criminal justice reform,
getting our residents into homes and jobs after theyve been incarcerated is an utmost priority for crime

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 Workforce Development, Continued
Jason Williams, Continued...
prevention and workforce development. I have been an outspoken proponent of Ban the Box as well as
policies that allow for summonses instead of arrests so that New Orleanians need not spend unnecessary
time in jail for certain non-violent crimes.

Access to Mental Health Care

Do you support or oppose a millage to provide funds for behavioral health services
in New Orleans, including school-based prevention, detox and addiction treatment?
Do you support or oppose the redevelopment of city-owned vacant properties into
permanent supportive housing units and transitional group homes for those with
mental and behavioral disorders?

Mayoral Candidates

Edward Bruski
The state needs to understand the importance of drug treatment and behavioral services and stop cutting
the funds for these services. It was just disclosed that the state had a $100 million surplus but cut $34 million
from mental health services. I am for increasing funds for behavioral health services in New Orleans,
including school-based prevention, detox, and drug treatment, such as the Bridge House, the Odyssey House,
and Teen Challenge. I do support the redevelopment of city-owned properties into permanent supportive
housing units and transitional group homes for those with mental and behavioral disorders.

Michael Bagneris:
I would be willing to see the millage issue put to referendum, as it would necessarily require. Converting city owned
vacant properties to transitional homes is an idea certainly worth consideration.

LaToya Cantrell:
I am not in favor of any initial millage increases. However, if we do a better job of using city resources, such as the low
barrier homeless shelter to cater to our people in need of services, I hope that this is something that can eventually be
considered. I support this.

Desiree Charbonnet:
My administration will work within the parameters of the city budget to facilitate mental health services and addiction
treatment which is vital to our citizens. As a judge, I created programs to provide alternatives to jail for nonviolent
offenders who needed services more than they needed jail time. I will not waiver from that view when I am elected

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 Access to Mental Health Care, Continued
Desiree Charbonnet, Continued...
mayor. Yes, I do support the idea of redeveloping city-owned vacant properties into permanent supportive housing units and
transitional group homes. It is important that the city work closely with mental health care professionals to find creative and
innovative solutions to the challenges faced by various populations in our city.

Brandon Dorrington:
I strongly recommend, encourage, and support a millage to provide funds for behavioral health services in New Orleans
including school based prevention, detox, and addiction treatment. I also strongly support re-development of city-owned
vacant properties into permanent supportive housing units and transitional group homes for those with mental and
behavioral disorders.

Matt Hill:
The gatekeeper to mental health in Orleans Parish is the Orleans Parish Coroner's Office which is currently underfunded. If
you have to commit someone then you have to go through the Coroner's Office; it has been this way for a very long time.
The Coroner's Office is also not capable of dealing with the situation we have here in Orleans Parish which leads us to a
few options. We either need to expand the breadth of the Coroner's Office, or we need to reorganize the system for
another department to deal with mental health. I am in favor of strengthening the funding and operations of the Coroner's
Office. The Coroner just moved to a new facility, but it is still ill-equipped to deal with mental health on a larger scale. We
need to change the operational strategy of the Coroner's Office, and we will be able to begin serving the public properly.
No, I will not support a millage. I will not support any increases in taxes on citizens. I will properly fund the Coroner's Office.
Since I do not support any millage or any increases in taxes or fees at all, I will put the tax burden on new markets to pay
for our mental health. First, we will decriminalize online gambling, land-based sports betting, and online sports betting so
that we can begin cultivating a stronger Information Technology sector and people can also put some money down on the
big game while they are in town. Next, we are going to legalize recreational cannabis in Orleans Parish. We will break from
tradition and not use a dispensary system. We will not have dispensaries because that caps the amount of people who can
enter the market. We will treat it like a vendor's license so that anyone can enter the industry. We will utilize vertical
farming in the East so that we can optimize space. Then, we will put Birth Control Over the Counter OTC, no more
prescriptions in Orleans Parish. We will be the only market in the United States and once the women in the rest of the
country figure that out our E-Commerce will explode and the market price of Birth Control will plummet. The women of
New Orleans will benefit from this. I do believe that some city-owned properties should be repurposed for transition housing
for many groups. But there is a particular piece of real-estate that does not belong to the city, but if I am elected, I will use
eminent domain and annex a very specific piece of property. If LSU does not repurpose Big Charity Hospital into the
Greatest Mental Health Facility in the World, then I will. I will annex the property, and we will bid it out ourselves. I will
turn Big Charity Hospital into a beacon of mental health; this is one of the main goals of my administration.

Troy Henry:
I oppose an additional millage. It is past time for the City government to treat citizens like ATMs. I support it but as long it is
a city wide program and not limited to a specific area.

Derrick Martin:
Yes, I support a millage to provide funds for behavioral health. More importantly, it is a must that it is directed under the
leadership of Transparency and Accountability with metrics to be provided on a quarterly basis to the constituents of New
Orleans. Yes, I do support the redevelopment of blighted and or city owned properties into permanent housing units. The
conditions would be strict and created through a transparent and thoughtful process

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 Access to Mental Health Care, Continued
Tommie Vassel:
I am not at this time willing to support a millage for any purpose until I review the City's budget to determine how we warw
spending the dollars we currently receive. I recognize the severity of mental and behavioral disorders and would support using
vacant city owned properties for support services. We must also identify the funding to renovate and operate such facilities.

City Council At-Large 1

Kenneth Cutno
We must grow community mental health resources and establish Charity Hospital as a major mental health
and drug addiction hospital for the Metropolitan region under the control of the City of New Orleans Health
Department. We have the money in the budget (Orleans sheriff plans new facility for inmates who need
mental-health and medical care). He estimated its price tag at between $56 million and $97 million; we can
put the money in Charity Hospital with section for the Sheriff mental health department.

City Council At-Large 2

Jason Williams
Yes, I support a behavioral and mental health millage. Our city is in great need of substance abuse
treatment and mental health facilities. We cannot continue down a path in which our jail is supposed to
provide these services. I was a huge supporter of the new low barrier homeless shelter that will address
many of these needs and I support the development and growth of further mental and behavioral services.
In theory yes, I support the City putting unused City Property back into the public domain to provide mental
and behavioral health services. Whether that should be a government run program or a non-profit in line
with City priorities would need to be determined.
David Nowak:
I have announced an intent to freeze all property tax millage increases during my tenure. Property taxes have doubled or tripled
for most home owners, and I seek to expand the tax base before increasing the tax burden. I will not neglect funding for mental
health services, however. My 3 point policy subset on Mental Health from my 21 Point Platform for a 21st Century New Orleans
all intersect with this question. My first point: 24 Hour Community Crisis Centers throughout the city. These will be staffed by
mental health professionals, city service liaisons, private security, and legal aides. My intention is to have rapid response triage
centers throughout our community to ameliorate crises as they happen instead responding to them after they have ran their
course. My second point is a commitment to end homelessness by 2025, which will depend on a housing first strategy as I
outlined earlier with my desire to build tiny homes across many of HANO's empty lots. To realistically make a claim to end
homelessness, which my opponent has said is impossible, you obviously must provide detox and addiction treatment, supportive
housing, and transitional community re-entry group homes. My third point is to reopen Charity Hospital with a mandated mission
focus on universal mental health treatment. I firmly believe every community across the country will be underserved in its mental
health needs until we as a nation adopt a Medicare For All healthcare system, but we in New Orleans will mitigate the worst of
our nation and state's healthcare priorities by taking care of business at home. These three platform goals in concert will do much
to change the culture and overall health in our city when in comes to mental health.

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