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BGR is an independent, nonprofit research organization dedicated to improving local government in Greater New Orleans.

11/04/2026

Flood protection affects everyone who lives behind the levees.

Tune in tomorrow at 8 a.m. for "Keeping Levees First: Who’s Running Our Flood Protection?" a live conversation with Blair duQuesnay of Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, Senator Kirk Talbot and L. Jeff Williams of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East, moderated by BGR President & CEO Rebecca Mowbray.

Watch at bgr.org/livestream

Thanks to First Horizon Bank for sponsoring this event!

10/30/2026

Keep an eye on that stack of change. 👀

A year after New Orleans borrowed $125 million to make payroll, where does the City’s budget stand? BGR Research Analyst Natanael Pabon-Trinidad breaks down our new report.

City leaders are rebuilding budget stability. Overtime spending is down nearly 50% compared with last year, and emergency savings have been rebuilt to nearly $140 million. But more than $220 million in one-time money kept the 2026 budget afloat, and much of it won’t be there in future years.

The mayor’s proposed 2027 budget reaches basic budget stability, but the City still needs to achieve long-term structural balance. The City Council will hold a public hearing on property taxes November 5 and plans to adopt the 2027 budget November 19.

Read the summary or full report: go.bgr.org/balancing-act-report

10/23/2026

We don't have a city without flood protection. Swipe to meet the panel for our November 5 Breakfast Briefing on the future of east bank flood protection. It's free, with coffee and a light breakfast thanks to First Horizon Bank!

Link to register: https://go.bgr.org/nov-2026-breakfast

Ft. Flood Protection Authority, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans

10/22/2026

NOLA.com columnist Will Sutton wrote about Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt after his keynote at our Annual Luncheon. The column traces OKC's long history and Holt's own Osage roots before turning to his case for leadership continuity. Read Will's column. 👇

https://www.nola.com/opinions/will_sutton/oklahoma-city-mayor-david-holt-new-orleans-bgr/article_9c24d3d2-ed75-4b5a-965b-c8ed70da4e88.html

10/20/2026

Biz New Orleans covered Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt's keynote at our Annual Luncheon. Kelly Hite's story covers how OKC built voter trust and won support from across the political spectrum, in part by keeping its plans going across mayors. It also connects Holt's message on accountability to BGR's recent report on New Orleans' sanitation program. Read it below! 👇

https://bizneworleans.com/holt-shares-roadmap-for-new-orleans-modern-renaissance/

10/20/2026

In case you missed it: NOLA.com covered Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt's keynote at our Annual Luncheon. Grace Mayer's story covers how OKC spent three decades investing in its downtown and quality of life, and why Mayor Holt thinks New Orleans is starting from a strong place. Read it here. 👇

https://www.nola.com/news/business/oklahoma-city-mayor-revitalize-downtown-new-orleans-lessons/article_f5bb020d-1a4f-466e-9389-c79d8174d5c4.html

10/19/2026

“I think New Orleans is poised for your own modern renaissance.”

That was Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt’s message at BGR’s Annual Luncheon today. He shared how voter-approved investments turned OKC into what The Economist calls a “Big League City,” and closed with 9 takeaways for New Orleans.

What would a New Orleans renaissance look like? Tell us below!

Thank you to Mayor David Holt, Mayor Helena Moreno and everyone who joined us.

We're grateful to our presenting sponsors Hancock Whitney and Ochsner Health, and supporting sponsors IMTT and Delta Utilities for making today possible.

10/17/2026

Your trash fee just went up. Here's why.

On October 1, New Orleans' sanitation fee rose from $24 to $32.25 a month. Starting in 2028, it will change every year to match costs. That should end a budget gap projected to top $80 million since 2021. The City is already cleaning up trash collection lists, which could save money, and regular oversight can make sure residents don't pay more than they should.

BGR Research Analyst Natanael Pabon-Trinidad 😎 breaks it down. Our new report, More Cash for Trash, recommends:
> Regular checks of the City's trash collection lists
> A required cost review at least every five years
> An annual public report on service and costs
> A public look at options like twice-weekly pickup and recycling

The City Council takes up the Sanitation budget Monday, October 19.

Read the summary or full report here: https://go.bgr.org/more-cash-for-trash

10/08/2026

Last call: Ticket and table sales for BGR's Annual Luncheon close this Friday, October 9, at 11:59 p.m.

This year, Oklahoma City Mayor David Holt joins us. A generation ago, OKC wasn't on many lists of cities to watch. Today, it's one of the most-cited examples of a mid-sized American city that made big, long-term bets on its future and saw them pay off.

On Monday, October 19, he'll talk about what it took and what New Orleans might learn as we make our own decisions about the years ahead.

https://go.bgr.org/2026luncheon

10/07/2026

We don't have a region without flood protection.

After Katrina, New Orleanians fought for a levee board run by experts and focused on one job: keeping us safe from flooding. Twenty years later, that promise is being tested. The Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East has a new board, has lost key engineers, has sharply expanded its police force, and faces scrutiny from the public, the Legislature and the state attorney general.

Join us for "Keeping Levees First: Who's Running Our Flood Protection?" to hear from the people at the center of the debate.

• Blair duQuesnay, President, Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans
• Sen. Kirk Talbot, Louisiana State Senate, District 10
• Jeff Williams, Regional Director, Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority - East
• Moderated by BGR President & CEO Rebecca Mowbray

BGR Breakfast Briefing
Thursday, Nov. 5 | 8–9 a.m. (doors open at 7:30)
First Horizon Bank Atrium, 601 Poydras Street, 20th Floor

FREE, thanks to First Horizon Bank

Reserve your seat at the link: https://go.bgr.org/nov-2026-breakfast

Address

400 Poydras Street, Suite 2950
New Orleans, LA
70130

Telephone

+15045254152

Website

https://www.bgr.org/

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