In the latest back and forth between state leaders and the city of New Orleans, Governor Jeff Landry says the Crescent City is no longer a key to the success of Louisiana. Landry says New Orleans is not the economic driver it once was.
“Used to be, the saying was, ‘Where goes New Orleans, where goes the state.’ That has changed. Where goes Louisiana will determine the fate of New Orleans,” Landry said.
Landry made that statement to reporters following a press conference where Meta announced it is committing more than $50 billion to its Richland Parish Data Center project. Landry says Meta’s investment brings the total invested in Louisiana by businesses to $150 billion since he took office in 2024.
A political rift started growing between Governor Landry and newly elected New Orleans Helena Moreno, when Moreno and other city officials pushed back against a new law that combined the city’s civil and criminal district courts. Landry points out Orleans Parish was the only parish in the state with two separate district courts, and they should be treated like every other parish.
“New Orleans thinks they’re so special. They used to have four assessors. Two clerks. A sheriff that ran at a different time. I mean just on and on. That parish is going to operate exactly like the rest of this state,” Landry noted.
Moreno responded to Landry’s latest comments by saying the focus should always be to strive for every city, every town and every parish to reach their fullest potential. The mayor is asking for a face-to-face meeting with the governor to go over the city’s finances. New Orleans is strapped for cash, which is forcing Moreno to furlough employees and delay projects. Landry says she’ll meet with the mayor, but he says one important condition needs to be met:
“When she understands is that they have to get their fiscal house in order, just like this state has gotten its fiscal house in order, we’ll have a discussion,” Landry said.