NEW ORLEANS — In a bid to close a significant budget shortfall and compensate for anticipated cuts to federal aid, New Orleans Mayor LaToya Cantrell has presented her final budget proposal, which includes a call for increased sales taxes and various fee hikes.

The Cantrell administration projects the proposed revenue measures would generate over $73 million in desperately needed funding for the city.

The New Orleans City Council is slated to vote on the proposal by the end of the year.

Taming the Deficit

The push for new revenue comes as the city faces a daunting financial outlook. Revenue is down, and the Cantrell administration estimates the city could lose as much as $150 million in federal funding. Coupled with an existing deficit—which City Councilmember Joe Giarrusso estimates to

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