As New Orleans Mayor-elect Helena Moreno prepares to take office, one of her first major tests will be tackling the city’s budget.
Political analyst Dr. Ed Cervenak with the University of New Orleans says Moreno is inheriting a financial challenge that will require tough, strategic decisions.
“She’s walking into a situation that demands fiscal discipline. Her focus should be on finding cost savings from within and not passing the burden on to residents.”
Cervenak notes that could mean restructuring departments or even reducing workforce costs in certain areas.
He says that might also mean making revisions to her plan for the city's future.
"She spoke about hiring more people to fix the city's streets which will be hard to do with such a deficit. It will be hard to implement an aggressive agenda if finances are a factor."
Chervanak says in any case, after such a decisive win, constituents cannot be held for the burden.
“When you win with that kind of mandate, the public expects smart management, not higher costs. This is her opportunity to show she can balance fiscal responsibility with the promise of change.”