Today, BGR released the inaugural edition of PolicyWatch, a periodic newsletter that draws on BGR’s body of independent, nonpartisan research to address current public policy issues. This edition focuses on the City of New Orleans’ finances as it faces a pandemic-induced budget deficit. It discusses the City’s proposal to borrow up to $100 million as well as other options to address the deficit by cutting costs. It is critical that the City’s fiscal decisions in the coming weeks and months work toward the long-term sustainability of City operations and functions, especially those addressing high-priority needs.