Twenty years after Hurricane Katrina devastated New Orleans, BGR’s June 18 Breakfast Briefing discussed the disaster’s lasting impact on local government reform—and what lessons public officials and citizens can use to inspire future change. This event was free to the public thanks to the generous sponsorship of First Horizon Bank. BGR also thanks WWNO New Orleans Public Radio for rebroadcasting the event on June 24.
In connection with the event, BGR published highlights of our work in support of better local government post-Katrina. BGR also compiled this working list of post-Katrina government reforms to facilitate the discussion.
Watch Video Replay
Full video:
Retired Former Chief Judge of Orleans Parish Criminal District Court Calvin Johnson, Dillard University Professor of Urban Studies and Public Policy Robert Collins, and Greater New Orleans Foundation President and CEO Andy Kopplin joined BGR President and CEO Rebecca Mowbray for a wide-ranging conversation on the legacy of local government reform and the role of civic engagement in driving progress.
Watch some of the highlights below:
- Johnson reflects on how far the city has come since Hurricane Katrina saying, “We forget how much good we have done.” (12:43 – 13:17)
- Kopplin talks about how civic associations, nonprofits, and everyday citizens helped drive reform in the aftermath of the storm, creating new engagement with local government. (13:18 – 13:54)
- Johnson points to a sharp drop in the jail population and improvements in policing as signs of real progress in public safety. Kopplin highlights gains in student achievement and graduation rates in the public school system—while also acknowledging the toll those changes took on educators and families. (15:33 – 18:19)
- Collins shares that internal drainage and the Sewerage & Water Board remain major frustrations for residents. Kopplin adds that while there’s been some progress, deeper issues with governance and funding continue to hold the system back. (19:37 – 23:14)
- Johnson revisits the failed effort to merge civil and criminal courts, expressing disappointment that it didn’t move forward. Kopplin brings up BGR’s 2013 report on the high number of judges in New Orleans and the cost of maintaining separate court systems. (23:25 – 27:39)
- Collins highlights a steady decline in voter turnout since Katrina and attributes it to political disengagement and lack of trust. He calls for renewed efforts to engage voters—especially young people—through social media, schools, and community organizations. (32:49 – 43:35)
- Collins notes that many college students leave New Orleans after graduation in search of better job opportunities. Kopplin stresses the need for economic growth, better city services, and targeted investments that give residents more reason—and ability—to stay. (57:29 – 1:03:10)
In addition to the video, the BGR website includes photos of the event and bios of each speaker.
Photos from the Event:
About Our Speakers
Robert Collins is Professor of Urban Studies and Public Policy at Dillard University, Political Analyst for WVUE FOX 8 TV, and Political Columnist for Verite News. Previous positions held at Dillard include: Dean of the College of Arts and Sciences, and Associate Vice President for Academic Affairs. He also served on the urban planning faculty at Harvard University. Dr. Collins’ upcoming publications are on the current state of voter engagement on the 20th anniversary of Katrina, and the economic effects of land loss in the Bird’s Foot Delta of the Mississippi River. Prior to entering academia, he had a career as a Congressional staffer, working for U.S. Senator J. Bennett Johnston. He holds a BA and an MA in Communications, and a Ph.D. in Urban Studies, all from the University of New Orleans.
The Hon. Calvin Johnson received his undergraduate degree from Southern University in Baton Rouge in 1969, served four years in the United States Air Force, and then received his Juris Doctorate from Loyola Law School in 1978. He was Clinic Professor at Loyola Law School for nine years. He was elected to the Orleans Parish Criminal District Court in 1990 and served until his retirement in 2008.
In 1995, Judge Johnson became one of the first Louisiana Drug Court Judges. In 2002, he established the first Mental Health Treatment Court in Louisiana. By 2005, this Special Court was selected as one of four demonstration courts in the country. He was Chief Judge of Criminal District Court when Katrina struck. Before moving back into the courthouse, the judges held court in eight different locations. In June 2006, they were back in their building conducting jury trials. Following his retirement from the bench in 2008, Judge Johnson was enlisted by the Governor to serve as the Executive Director of the Metropolitan Human Service District (MHSD). Judge Johnson served as Executive Director for six years. He served as Criminal Justice Commissioner for the City Of New Orleans from 2016 to May 2018.
Judge Johnson remains on the faculty of the Loyola Law School. He currently serves on following boards: Youth Empowerment Project, Liberty’s Kitchen, Children’s Bureau, and St. Thomas Health Clinics. Johnson is currently serving as an Ad Hoc Judge in the Orleans Criminal District Court.
Andy Kopplin has served as president and CEO of the Greater New Orleans Foundation since 2016. He led the Foundation’s successful initiative to grow its assets to over $500 million by its 100-year anniversary in 2023, including $21 million in new endowments to support the Foundation’s leadership activities. He is deeply involved in the Foundation’s civic leadership project to create a dynamic, job creating, and equitable BioDistrict in downtown New Orleans.
Mr. Kopplin previously served as first deputy mayor and chief administrative officer for New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu. By aggressively managing the city’s budgets, Mr. Kopplin helped move the City from near bankruptcy in 2010 to fiscal stability and its highest bond ratings in history by 2016. Prior to City government, he served as senior advisor to Teach For America’s Founder and CEO, Wendy Kopp. From October 2005-January 2008, he was the founding executive director of the Louisiana Recovery Authority (LRA), the agency charged with leading recovery efforts after Hurricane Katrina, where he developed the strategy and built the bipartisan coalitions that more than doubled congressional appropriations for Louisiana’s rebuilding, from $13 billion to $28 billion. Before heading the LRA, Mr. Kopplin was chief of staff to two consecutive Louisiana governors, Republican Mike Foster and Democrat Kathleen Blanco. He earned an MPP from Harvard’s Kennedy School and a BA from Rice University and is a 1986 Harry S. Truman Scholarship winner.