New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin met with Gov. Bobby Jindal for an hour on Monday to make his case for more than $140 million to finance infrastructure projects in the city from Louisiana’s $1.1 billion surplus from fiscal 2007.
No firm commitments were made, Nagin said, but additional meetings will be held. He said he wanted to meet with Jindal to determine what can be done for New Orleans during the special legislative session set to begin March 31.
The mayor asked the state for matching funds to obtain federal grants for improving the levees protecting the city from the Mississippi River. In addition, Nagin said he is seeking $109 million for improving hurricane evacuation routes out of New Orleans, $30 million for the city’s effort to rebuild six miles of waterfront, and $5 million for expansion of a NASA facility in the city.
Nagin also said the Port of New Orleans would be better able to compete with ports in Mobile and Houston if the state would abolish smaller ports in Plaquemines and St. Bernard parishes and other areas.
Jindal’s office released a statement that the governor “enjoyed meeting with the mayor.”
