The Business Council of New Orleans and the River Region has led an impressive series of initiatives aimed at creating an enhanced quality of life and a healthy and highly competitive business environment.  Among the most notable achievements are:

Forward New Orleans: A diverse coalition of more than 30 civic, neighborhood and business organizations has joined together to present a mandate to elected city leaders to address the most compelling issues facing New Orleans. Over the next few weeks this group will be interviewing all of the candidates for mayor and city council, after which they will publish a scorecard of candidate responses to the principles outlined in FORWARD NEW ORLEANS. Visit ForwardNewOrleans.com for more information.

Card Check Legislation: The Business Council, working with Louisiana Restaurant Association and the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, has taken the lead in opposition to the Employee Free Choice Act (“Card Check”). This flawed legislation would take away a worker’s right to cast a secret ballot in favor of or against the establishment of a union and would force government-imposed arbitration on businesses of all sizes.  We will continue to be vigilant, since this legislation could be refiled at any time.

Criminal Justice System Reform: As founding members of the New Orleans Crime Coalition, Business Council leaders remain engaged in criminal justice system reform throughout the region. The Business Council provides generous support to the New Orleans Police and Justice Foundation, Courtwatch NOLA and to the Metropolitan Crime Commission. Through the United States Department of Justice, the Business Council was recently awarded $1 million to be used in regional crime fighting initiatives.

Flood Protection for New Orleans: The Business Council is leading a determined effort to monitor the work of the U. S. Corps of Engineers in the rebuilding of pumping stations, levees, floodwalls and floodgates and the restoration of Louisiana’s Coastline. Its leaders regularly engage Congress and the Obama administration, pushing vigorously for the systemic and reliable flood protection possible.

Move Forward Now: A call for immediate action from the President to mitigate the impacts of the oil spill disaster. Regional business leaders of south Louisiana held a press conference on June 18th to call for specific action from President Obama and members of Congress to prevent what they said “will turn an ecological catastrophe into an economic calamity” as a result of the Deepwater Horizon oil spill. The Business Council of Greater New Orleans and the River Region; Greater New Orleans, Inc. (GNO, Inc.); and the New Orleans Metropolitan Convention and Visitors Bureau (NOMCVB) joined other regional business and political leaders to present a platform of solutions to address the negative financial and economic impact of the oil spill. The coalition, under the rallying cry of “Move Forward Now,” asks that the President immediately authorize three specific actions that could mitigate the damage to the economy. In addition, a fourth point of the platform supports the Mayor of New Orleans’ call for BP’s investment in New Orleans and the surrounding area’s hospitality industry.

Past Business Council Accomplishments

Levee Board Reorganization:  The Business Council played the key role in the reorganization of South Louisiana levee board governance, culminating in the creation of the Southeast Louisiana Flood Protection Authority.

New Orleans Assessor Reform:  The Business Council, along with Citizens for 1 Greater New Orleans, led a successful effort to pass a constitutional amendment which will, in the next municipal election, reduce the number of assessors in Orleans Parish from seven to one.

Charter Change for Inspector General:  The citizens of New Orleans responded to Business Council leadership to change the City Charter to protect the permanence and autonomy of the Inspector General.  Additionally, the office of Police Independent Monitor was established within the Office of the Inspector General.

Master Plan:  In a recent election, the Business Council played a significant role in passing legislation which will give the City of New Orleans Master Plan the force of law.  Along with a pending of the Comprehensive Zoning Ordinance, this will provide for uniform, fair and predictable development of neighborhoods, business corridors and green spaces.

NOLA Public School Millage Renewal:  Members of the Business Council joined with a broad and diverse coalition of civic groups to execute a successful campaign to renew the millage for maintenance and operations of Orleans Parish Public Schools.

Public Safety:  As the lead partner in the New Orleans Crime Coalition, the Business Council continues to work tirelessly for improvements in coordination and effectiveness between the New Orleans Police Department, the Orleans Parish District Attorney, and Criminal Court judges in tackling violent crime.  The Business Council provides substantial ongoing support to Courtwatch NOLA, a program in which volunteers observe and report on the efficiency and effectiveness of criminal court operations.