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District A
Joseph I. Giarrusso III

City Hall, Room 2W80 
1300 Perdido Street 
New Orleans, LA 70112

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Joe Giarrusso is in his second term as the Councilmember for District A. During his time in office, he has stressed two basic principles: government should make residents' lives easier and the best policy decisions are where efficiency intersects with equity. He also believes residents want to know their representatives are responsive and care about their needs.

During his 6 years as a councilmember, Joe is most proud of helping residents. Through two major reassessment cycles, his tax plans kept millage rates stable, saving taxpayers around $200 million over eight years without reducing funding to City services. He dedicated $32 million to gap financing programs, resulting in creation of nearly 1,200 long-term, affordable housing units. As Chair of the Budget Committee, he shepherded two significant City Charter amendments to enhance transparency, process, and better results: (1) beginning in 2024, the public and Council will have two months instead of one month to publicly review the City budget; and (2) the establishment of a single Code Enforcement department, with a single director and dedicated funding. And, he championed an Early Childhood Education millage to fund more than 1,000 seats at early learning centers for low-income families.

Joe's extensive infrastructure work resulted in the City's most important and most needed project - the Sewerage and Water Board West Power Complex. This complex features a dedicated substation that will provide newer, cleaner, and more reliable power source for the City's drainage system.  As former Chair of the Public Works Committee, Joe ensured the Council and public received quarterly reports from SWBNO, publicized summaries of its Board meetings, and worked on solutions for infrastructure.

Personally and from a policy perspective, Joe's dedication to improving and expanding access to mental health programs lead to the creation of the New Orleans Mental Health Collaborative. This citywide initiative he founded in 2023 with the United Way works to identify and fill gaps in mental health care in the city, with an overarching goal of coordinated care.

His legislative record shows the urgency and importance of responding to resident concerns. He required the Department of Public Works to publish data on street light repairs, potholes, road striping, and other quality of life issues. The Roadwork office must now list direct contacts - including the contractor - for all street repair work. And, Joe changed the law to require school zone lights to be functional to issue traffic tickets. 

Also, Joe repeatedly emphasizes the importance of consistent communication with residents. He assured meaningful public engagement by requiring virtual, telephonic, or in-person informational meetings for major land use issues. He ensured residents could receive updates on permits near their homes. He passed legislation lowering the application fees for certain types of housing. He implemented an overlay, developed with neighbors and stakeholders across District A, to stem the tide of "Doubles to Dorms" in the University area. Joe continues to work with state and local leaders to revitalize West End. Finally, Joe publishes data from our constituent services database to illustrate what issues most impact certain neighborhoods. Please see the Engagements Dashboard below.

Joe grew up in District A, graduating from Jesuit High School, the University of Texas at Austin, and the Louisiana State University Law School.  He is married to fellow attorney, Cassie Giarrusso, and together they have two daughters. 

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Committees

Staff

Joseph I. Giarrusso III, Councilmember District "A"
Name Title Email
General Contact 504-658-1010, 504-658-1016 (fax)  
Joseph I. Giarrusso III Councilmember Joseph.Giarrusso@nola.gov
Amanda Rizzo Chief of Staff Amanda.Rizzo@nola.gov
Nina Killeen Special Projects Director Nina.Killeen@nola.gov
Claire F. Byun Communications and Land Use Director Claire.Byun@nola.gov
LeeAnn M. Moss Constituent Services Director

leeann.moss@nola.gov

Latest News

June 9, 2025

New Orleans City Council, Tulane Reach Deal in Wisner Lawsuit

NEW ORLEANS -

The New Orleans City Council and Tulane University reached an amicable, out-of-court agreement in the Wisner litigation. The dispute arose from property owned by the City of New Orleans and held in a century-long trust that ended in 2014. Under the settlement, Tulane explicitly confirms that its interest in the property belongs to the City. The parties understood the importance of resolving the Wisner litigation to focus on the larger and common goal of redeveloping Charity Hospital.

May 27, 2025

New Orleans City Council Prevails in Wisner Trust Suit After Court’s Ruling

NEW ORLEANS - On Friday, May 23, Orleans Parish Civil District Court Judge Kern Reese granted the New Orleans City Council’s two motions for summary judgment in the Wisner Trust suit. 

March 18, 2025

City Council Budget Committee to discuss nearly $2 billion in unfinished street repairs, plan to finish select projects

NEW ORLEANS - The New Orleans City Council Budget Committee will hear presentations on Thursday, March 20 on the unfinished road projects and how the City plans to finish them.

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