The Big Easy Deal is $171 million for the people.
Created by the Big Easy Budget Coalition, the Big Easy Deal is a set of budget priorities that will make New Orleans a city where everyone can thrive, instead of fighting to survive. It allocates $171 million into critical local initiatives for community safety, food security, health, infrastructure and youth opportunity. We designed the Deal with input from community leaders, subject matter experts, and government officials.
Everyone in New Orleans deserves to feel safe. The Big Easy Deal addresses the root causes of violence: systemic disinvestment, poverty, lack of economic opportunity, marginalization, and isolation. We look out for our neighbors here, but we could use some help to do it.
We need effective, community-driven, evidence-based strategies to help our city thrive and to break the cycles of violence and poverty. We have poured millions of dollars into reacting to our problems after the fact, instead of fixing them at the root. We face real peril from state and federal government. That means our city officials have a unique opportunity to build trust and power by protecting our people when other politicians have put them on the chopping block.
People-powered, data-backed.
For the third year in a row, we surveyed the people of Orleans Parish to understand their perceptions of safety and of city spending. We had more than 300 respondents this year, and are compiling the survey results.
We reach respondents by hiring local community researchers; attending dozens of community events and meetings; posting flyers in libraries, post offices, recreation centers and bus stops; tabling at back-to-school events, community meetings, and community resource fairs across the city; and conducting email and social media outreach.
Last year, 96% of the more than 400 people surveyed said the city spends too little money on housing, mental health services, opportunities for youth, and programs and services for low-income people and families. Their top priorities were housing, infrastructure (roads, streetlights, and drainage systems), education, health, and opportunities for youth.
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