New Year’s resolutions for our elected officials
27th December 2022 · 0 Comments
The song, “Auld lang syne” is often sung by New Year’s celebrants. The phrase “auld lang syne” roughly translates as “for old times’ sake.’” Another verse says, “We’ll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.”
As 2023 unfolds, we hope city leaders and politicians remember the old times and ring in the new with positive, progressive action.
The Louisiana Weekly’s resolutions for New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana include a higher quality of life for citizens.
Suppose our city and state public servants work toward actualizing the following resolutions. In that case, we can leave behind auld lang syne and emerge in full force as an enviable city and state that brings in corporations and private sector companies that support well-paying clean energy and tech jobs.
Resolution No. 1: Whereas city residents are subjected to bumpy, lumpy, front-end misalignment of their vehicles, city leaders must resolve to fund massive street repairs.
Resolution No. 2: Whereas too many people are living on the streets, city leaders should resolve to invest in the renovation of vacant buildings and partner with nonprofits to house the homeless.
Resolution No. 3: Whereas many NOLA residents are staggering under the weight of excessive utility bills, choosing to buy less food or other essentials to pay these bills, elected officials should resolve to lower these costs by any means necessary.
Resolution No. 4: Whereas when homeowners can’t pay high property tax bills and recognize the non-competitive wages paid in New Orleans, city officials, including the assessor, should resolve to create payment plans rather than putting homes up for auction.
Resolution No. 5: Whereas few residents, if any, feel safe in the city, elected officials must take drastic action to reduce crime. Enough is enough of NOLA being labeled as the “murder capitol” of the U.S. City leaders should resolve to invest in activities for teens and part-time jobs year-round for children in 9th through 12th grade to reduce juvenile crime.
Leaders should also resolve to adopt a community policing plan that includes gifting officers homes if they live in the city and neighborhoods they are tasked with protecting and serving.
Detention Boot Camps should be funded for misdemeanor offenders, including access to mandatory education, trade skills training, mental health counseling, and family intervention.
Resolution No. 6: Whereas caring is sharing, state leaders should resolve to fairly redraw district maps and Congressional maps to evenly share power with the diverse communities that Louisiana represents.
Resolution No. 7: Whereas a paradigm shift is needed to fully address the needs of our children, elected officials should stand up for effective recreational programming after school and on weekends that include physical education, STEM instructions, and arts and culture lessons.
Resolution No. 8: Whereas state leaders have resisted creating a high-speed rail system, the state legislature should reconsider and seek funding for a bullet train like Japan’s transit system.
Resolution No. 9: Whereas there is a lack of mental health inpatient facilities in New Orleans and statewide, elected officials should fund more clinics and hospitals that provide long-term mental health treatments.
Resolution No. 10: State officials should revamp the education system in New Orleans. The lack of accountability or opportunity for taxpayers to hold schools accountable, especially in New Orleans’ publicly subsidized charter school system (don’t bother telling us there is accountability because there isn’t. Charter schools are allowed to operate without oversight).
Resolution No. 11: Whereas the state refuses to increase the minimum wage from the federal standard of $7.25 per hour, state legislators should resolve to fund more trade schools. If a person is taught a trade, he or she can become an entrepreneur and earn as much as possible.
We’re under no illusions that any of these resolutions will be taken seriously, much less acted upon. But the citizens of New Orleans and Louisiana deserve the best access to a bright future that their money can buy.
Hopefully, our leaders will be “woke” enough to create an actionable and beneficial paradigm shift for all citizens.
Happy New Year!
This article originally published in the December 26, 2022 print edition of The Louisiana Weekly newspaper.
