When New Orleans Mayor Helena Moreno earlier this month released on her first half-year in office, the fresh air was almost palpable.
Granted, it’s easy to give a good report card to oneself. Many a failing student would make the dean’s list if self-assessments were the norm.
In Moreno’s case, though, the numerical specificity in her report (assuming her numbers are accurate) means that her self-report isn’t just her own opinion: It can be adjudged objectively. Moreover, the very existence of such a report shows a commitment to public accountability, and the precise statistics show a dedication to data-driven governance rather than to mere verbal fluff.
Consider these hard numbers: Moreno took office a $223 million budget gap. Through city-worker furloughs and major reductions in travel and overtime spending, Moreno and the City Council saved some $150 million. That’s wise, tough-minded fiscal management.
The report also claims credit for securing $125 million in additional revenues, some of which came through better management and collections of money the city was owed but had previously left unrecovered.
We know these numbers are accurate because this administration submitted an annual audit on schedule for only the second time since 2019.
Meanwhile, Moreno seems to be following through on her campaign pledges to deliver better results on basic city infrastructure management. Taking a page from the book of former Mayor Mitch Landrieu, who insisted that strict records be maintained about such things, Moreno reports that the city in six months has repaired 5,139 streetlights, filled 15,115 potholes and improved 1,365 linear feet of sidewalks.
Those numbers sound impressive. It would help if there were comparisons available — such as how many streetlights and potholes got fixed in prior six-month time frames — but even without a contextual framework, those numbers show a real, assiduous focus on attacking those long-running drawbacks to life in the Crescent City.
Then there’s violent crime. Moreno certainly can’t take all the credit, because crime rates (for numerous reasons) already had been falling for more than two years before she took office. Still, her administration just as certainly deserves some of the applause for the fact that, compared to the same period in 2025, nonfatal shootings are down another 19% and homicides have dropped by 22%.
The report covers significant other topics, too, from economic development to “community investment” to health and human services. Suffice it to say that the specificity on those fronts, too, is admirable, and the trend lines are good.
Of course, major problems remain with street flooding, with slow road and drainage repairs in the French Quarter, and other facets of city life. Much of the blame tends to flow (even if the water doesn’t flow where it is supposed to!) to the Sewerage and Water Board, for which the mayor is the president but lacks much actual control.
Right now, it’s too early to judge Moreno’s performance there, but with the full support of her and the council, the state Legislature is ensuring that the proverbial bucks will land on their desks in the future. Act 938 gives the City Council more authority over the S&WB, including greater say in fees, rates, budgets, hiring and capital planning.
Before rushing in, though, the mayor in June appointed a new advisory group to help provide direction for the greater responsibilities. This kind of careful planning is usually wise. We should hope, though, that it doesn’t devolve into just more delays: A study committee that doesn’t lead quickly to deliberate action can become just another bureaucratic roadblock. The city’s massive drainage problems obviously are a matter of urgency, so the advisory committee, the City Council and the mayor must move with dispatch.
Encouragingly, look for the council to pass an ordinance implementing the new state law as early as Aug. 6.
Speaking of advisory councils, Moreno also has appointed a task force to reform the New Orleans Recreation Department, and my civic-sector sources right now say early signs from it are encouraging.
With all of this, let’s acknowledge a word of caution: Plenty of elected executives start out well, but then lose momentum (or worse). Moreno herself told me Tuesday that “continuing to repair finances and figuring out a path to end volatility with some state leaders will be major challenges to work through.”
Nonetheless: “For the first time in a long time, people feel hopeful for our city…. While we’re off to a good start, we have so much more work to do.”
From my vantage point, the assessment of the “good start” is right on target. Moreno has shown energy, resolve, realism and leadership. So far, indeed, so good.