Why it Matters

St. Bernard Parish, La. is doubling down on funding for infrastructure after switching to a regionally focused firm. The Louisiana community, still rebuilding from Hurricane Katrina, moved from Adams and Reese LLP to Connick and Associates in 2025. This shift suggests a more targeted approach to securing infrastructure dollars.

By the Numbers

  • Q3 2025: $50,000 paid to Connick and Associates
  • 2025 total: $150,000 spent on lobbying so far
  • Historical spending: Over $1 million on lobbying since 2016
  • Lobbying team: James T. Connick serves as principal lobbyist
  • Firm focus: Connick represents only three clients, including Plaquemines Parish, La.

Broader Context

The 20th anniversary of Hurricane Katrina has renewed congressional attention on Gulf Coast needs. Multiple resolutions commemorate the disaster while highlighting ongoing recovery challenges. Recent congressional hearings reveal declining revenues from the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act. This funding source typically supports coastal restoration projects critical to the parish.

The Agenda

St. Bernard Parish is lobbying specifically for “Funding for infrastructure throughout St. Bernard Parish.” The broad scope reflects the community’s wide-ranging infrastructure needs. These include storm drainage, debris removal systems, and coastal protection projects. The parish has historically focused on disaster recovery, flood insurance reform, and federal reimbursement programs.

Competitive Landscape

Multiple Louisiana parishes are competing for federal infrastructure dollars. Plaquemines Parish, La. uses the same lobbying firm for similar goals. Calcasieu Parish takes a broader approach, lobbying on disaster funding and economic development. AMC Civil represents engineering interests on port modernization and disaster recovery. This creates both collaboration opportunities and funding competition.

Between The Lines

Congress is considering several bills that could benefit the parish. The MRRRI Act (H.R.2977) would fund coastal restoration projects. The Disaster Survivors Fairness Act of 2025 (H.R.1245) could reform FEMA operations. Sen. Bill Cassidy has been particularly vocal, securing significant Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act funding for Louisiana. His floor speech after visiting the parish kept recovery needs in the spotlight.

The Bottom Line

St. Bernard Parish’s lobbying strategy reflects a community still working to fully recover decades after Hurricane Katrina. The switch to a regionally focused firm suggests parish leaders want more targeted advocacy. Success will depend on navigating competition from other Louisiana communities and capitalizing on renewed congressional interest in Gulf Coast resilience.

All data used in this article came from Legis1. Request a demo to learn more!

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