New Orleans Lawmakers Criticize Governor Landry's Budget Vetoes as Administration Defends Spending Decisions

BATON ROUGE, La. (Talk Dat NOLA) — Tensions between Governor Jeff Landry and New Orleans lawmakers escalated this week following a series of line-item vetoes that eliminated funding for numerous community projects across the city, prompting criticism from several legislators who argue the cuts disproportionately impact New Orleans residents.

Among those speaking out were State Rep. Delisha Boyd, D-New Orleans, and State Sen. Royce Duplessis, D-New Orleans, both of whom accused the governor of using his veto authority in a manner they described as politically motivated.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry (John Ballance_The Advocate, Pool)

In a press release issued Tuesday, Boyd highlighted several legislative accomplishments from the recently concluded 2026 Regular Session, including laws related to foster care, sexual assault survivor protections, suicide prevention and child welfare. However, she expressed disappointment over both the governor's veto of House Bill 950, which sought to expand consumer protections for seniors, and the elimination of funding for numerous New Orleans projects.

"Using the power of the Governor's Office to continue attacks against New Orleans because legislators from our region refused to support policies that would hurt the people of Louisiana is unacceptable," Boyd said in the release. "These funding requests were not about politics. They were about improving the quality of life for residents, strengthening neighborhoods, supporting families, and investing in our communities."

Boyd said projects benefiting House District 102 in Algiers were among those affected, though she noted funding for the Heroes of New Orleans nonprofit organization and several faith-based initiatives in the district was ultimately preserved.

Sen. Duplessis echoed similar concerns in a statement shared on social media this week, criticizing the governor's decision to veto funding for several New Orleans projects. In the post, Duplessis said millions of dollars intended for community investments across the city were removed from the state budget.

"Louisiana deserves leadership that brings people together and invests in our future, not leadership that governs through vengeance, division, and political retaliation," Duplessis wrote in the statement posted to Instagram.

Duplessis specifically cited vetoes impacting funding for an early learning center, a Volunteers of America healthcare hub, a housing resilience center and other community initiatives serving New Orleans residents.

The governor's line-item veto authority allows Louisiana governors to remove specific appropriations from the state budget while signing the overall spending plan into law. The authority has historically been used by governors of both parties to eliminate spending items they oppose.

Gov. Landry had not publicly responded to the latest criticism from New Orleans lawmakers as of publication. However, the governor has previously defended his use of line-item veto authority and budget decisions by arguing that taxpayer-funded projects and nonprofit appropriations should serve an appropriate government function and meet accountability standards. Landry has also emphasized fiscal discipline and prioritizing state resources for areas such as public safety, infrastructure, education and economic development.

The disagreement comes amid broader political tensions between the Republican governor and many Democratic lawmakers from the New Orleans area. Throughout the 2026 legislative session, disputes emerged over issues including education funding, local governance and state budget priorities.

Supporters of the governor argue that difficult budget decisions are necessary to ensure responsible stewardship of taxpayer dollars, while critics contend the vetoes disproportionately affect New Orleans and other urban communities.

The full impact of the governor's line-item vetoes on projects throughout Louisiana is expected to become clearer as state agencies and local governments begin implementing the Fiscal Year 2027 budget.