Four south Louisiana mayors came together Thursday to discuss cooperation between their cities and the problems those cities are facing because of the state’s budget crisis.
East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Kip Holden, New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu, Lafayette City-Parish President Joey Durel Jr. and Lake Charles Mayor Randy Roach sat side by side on the Baton Rouge River Center stage at the Louisiana Leadership Forum.
The discussion centered on regional cooperation between cities.
“Without any doubt in the world, there’s an opportunity for Baton Rouge, New Orleans, Lafayette and Lake Charles to work together,” Holden said.
The discussion frequently turned to the budget. All four mayors had harsh words for state government leaders, none of whom were mentioned by name.
“The fiscal system of this state continues to be crippled,” Landrieu said. “Undoing the Stelly [tax] Plan was one of the most foolish things the state has done.”
Landrieu, who served as a state legislator and lieutenant governor before his election as mayor, said state leaders are removed from the immediate problems caused by the funding reductions, so they more easily make philosophical arguments for cutting government.
“As a legislator or a governor, you’re 1,000 feet up,” he said. “When you’re a mayor, what you do hits the ground immediately. It’s not a philosophical discussion.”
The four candidates all said the state could benefit from a less centralized government.
“Legislators may one day be mayors and regret what they passed down to us,” said Durel, the only one of the four who has never been a state legislator.
Holden strongly criticized the continuing cuts to higher education, saying the cuts could reduce Louisiana to a Third World country.
“When we look at the cuts that are about to happen, education will be wiped out,” he said. “Other states right now are circling like vultures to take our best and brightest.”
The mayors said it was important to think in terms of regional interests instead of individual city interests. Instead of competing for business on all fronts, each city could develop specialties that would mutually benefit the region.
“As much as the linebacker would like to play quarterback, he can’t,” Roach said. “You’ve got to play your position.”
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Contact Matthew Albright at [email protected]