Sun Dec 28 08:10:00 UTC 2025: News Article:

Moreno Administration Begins Layoffs in New Orleans City Hall to Balance Budget

New Orleans, LA – Mayor-elect Helena Moreno’s administration has begun implementing budget cuts with the notification of layoffs for 13 staffers across two city departments: the Mayor’s Office of Youth and Families and the Office of Criminal Justice Coordination. The move is part of a larger effort to save $37 million and balance the city’s budget as Moreno prepares to take office on January 12.

According to a statement, the impacted employees were notified on December 12 that they would not be offered continued employment in the new administration. The reorganization involves shifting oversight of the Youth and Families department to the Health and Human Services division, managed by incoming Deputy Mayor Dr. Jennifer Avegno, and the Criminal Justice Coordination to the purview of incoming Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Michael Harrison.

“Crime, health, family stability and opportunity are deeply interconnected, and this reorganization reflects that reality,” said Todd Ragusa, a spokesperson for the transition team. He also emphasized Moreno’s vision for a “more coordinated city government focused on outcomes rather than silos.”

These layoffs are just the first phase of personnel reductions. An additional 36 unclassified, at-will employees and 62 employees with less than a year of service are expected to receive termination notices by January 6. The budget plan also includes furloughs for 724 non-public safety employees and a hiring freeze on 134 vacant positions.

In addition to staff reductions, Moreno’s budget includes cuts to programs such as the Pathways Youth Internship Program ($740,000) and the Evening Reporting Center program ($400,000).

Moreno’s proposed budget, adopted by the City Council despite objections from current Mayor LaToya Cantrell, aims to avoid a projected $222 million deficit. It relies on a combination of spending cuts and $74 million in new revenue from sources like the Sewerage and Water Board and unspent federal grants. Moreno had previously criticized Cantrell’s budget as not being targeted enough.

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