Mayor Edwards announces layoffs after Thrive initiative fails to pass

East Baton Rouge Mayor-President Sid Edwards announced Monday evening that he has begun implementing parish-wide budget cuts, laying off four employees in his own office earlier in the day after voters rejected three tax propositions over the weekend. 

Edwards said in a statement that the terminations were part of a required 12% reduction to his division, calling it “one of the most difficult days” of his administration.

Further, the parish is preparing for a 33% workforce reduction related to the General Fund, excluding police and fire, as part of the 2026 budget, according to internal letters sent to department heads. In the letter, Human Resources Director LaToya Pierson instructed the department leaders to identify cuts and submit proposed reductions by Dec. 1, noting that all hiring for classified positions is paused.

In a separate notice to employees, Edwards warned that up to 200 positions may ultimately be eliminated beginning Jan. 1 and continuing through the first quarter of 2026. Layoffs will follow civil service rules, based on job class and seniority, with bumping rights in place.