A Climate Change and Leadership Breakthrough in New Orleans

Climate change will affect every community in America, but none more than New Orleans, which is surrounded by water and faces increasingly volatile storms. This is the context for a remarkable achievement by Mayor LaToya Cantrell, who last month negotiated with the State of Louisiana and the city's tourism sector a larger share of tourism revenue for the city. An upfront infusion of $50 million and more than $25 million per year going forward will help restore New Orleans' aging infrastructure, including drainage and pumping systems dating to the 1800s.

Mayor Cantrell's "Fair Share" agenda is a model for other mayors. Like New Orleans, many American cities deal not just with aging infrastructure but also outdated governance structures, such as a constellation of unelected public authorities with taxing power. Times are changing, and the case is growing that mayors should be at the center of all decision-making for their constituents. Cities should control their own destinies, goes the argument – and Mayor Cantrell is making a compelling case.