Issues

Through PICO Louisiana Interfaith Together families and faith communities are winning changes in public policy that increase access to health care, improve public schools, make neighborhoods safer, create housing opportunities and redevelop communities.

Recent PICO LIFT victories include:

1. Successfully insured full funding for elementary and secondary education in Louisiana
2. Developed a new, cooperative relationship with the President of the State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE), who now identify PICO LIFT as an organization that "fights for children"
3. Worked closely with the BESE to win $2.1 million for "After School Academic Learning Centers" (ASALCs)
4. Led the effort to secure $5.1 million for revitalization of Lincoln Beach in New Orleans
5. Organized a meeting with Governor Kathleen Blanco and U.S. Senator Mary Landrieu in which they joined 15,000 other Louisianans in signing the PICO LIFT "People's Platform" for reducing crime and improving education, health care and the environment
6. Worked on a wide variety of other issues including blighted properties, availability of drug treatment, and the establishment of a housing trust fund in Louisiana
7. Influenced legislation to allow civil challenges and damages for victims of blight
8. Secured committment made by Mayor Nagin to End Dumping at Controversial Landfill August 14, 2006
9. Worked with public housing residents and local churches to secure 1500 new homes planned for Treme' Neighborhood in New Orleans
10. Built support for legislation to provide big offshore revenue sharing in the amount of $13 billion for coastal restoration, hurricane protection, and flood control projects
11. Influenced legislation that provides $50 billion in new funding for children's health coverage