Louisiana set to achieve statewide high-speed internet access by 2028, outpacing the federal 2030 goal

Roughly 450,000 Louisianans, enough to fill Tiger Stadium more than four times, have received access in just two years.

Gov. Jeff Landry announced today that Louisiana is significantly ahead of schedule in its effort to provide high-speed internet access to every Louisiana resident.

Since the beginning of the Landry Administration, more than 150,000 additional households, small businesses, and community organizations have received access. This growth has been achieved through private investment and federal funds put to work by Louisiana’s internet service providers, with most new service delivered through fiber.

“When I took office, about 83% of our state had access to high-speed internet. Today we’re approaching 93%. That’s nearly 450,000 people, more than four Tiger Stadiums full, who now have the tools they need to work, learn, and compete. We got here by listening to residents, focusing on results, and keeping the work moving, and we’re going to keep pushing until every family in this state has the same kind of reliable access.”

Gov. Jeff Landry

Louisiana’s broadband progress has earned significant national attention. The state became the first in the country to receive full federal approval of its BEAD plan and now ranks among the top 10 states for the percentage of households receiving fiber connectivity through BEAD, as well as the cost efficiencies achieved under the GUMBO 2.0 program. In total, Louisiana identified more than $800 million in savings, with federal guidance on their use expected by March 2026.

“This work is delivering real value to taxpayers. We are stretching every dollar and moving faster than Washington ever expected.”

Gov. Jeff Landry

Over the past several weeks, representatives from the governor’s office and ConnectLA have joined local leaders and internet providers to celebrate completed broadband projects in Vernon, Vermilion, and Acadia parishes, where Gumbo 1.0 investments have provided access to thousands of homes and hundreds of small businesses. More ribbon cuttings are planned for completed projects in Allen, Grant, LaSalle, Avoyelles, and other parishes, along with groundbreaking ceremonies for new construction made possible through federal BEAD funding.

Early 2026 is expected to bring the most significant broadband construction activity Louisiana has ever undertaken. Projects entering the ground phase will connect more than 127,000 new households and bring service to another 30,000 households through the completion of GUMBO 1.0 work already underway.

“These wins show up in real places, not spreadsheets. They’re the farms, the classrooms, and the small businesses that finally have the infrastructure they’ve waited on for years. With this momentum, Louisiana is on pace to reach full high-speed internet access in 2028, if not sooner. That’s two years at minimum before the federal goal. And we’re not slowing down.”

Veneeth Iyengar
Executive Director of ConnectLA

Visit the ConnectLA website to learn more

LLAW: Louisiana No. 4 “Judicial Hellhole”

BATON ROUGE, La. –As announced earlier today by the American Tort Reform Foundation, Louisiana's coastal litigation has been ranked number 4 on the Judicial Hellholes List, and the state as a whole has been placed on the national watch list. While lawmakers enacted legal reforms this year, significant work remains to address Louisiana’s overly litigious climate and create a more stable, predictable environment for economic growth, while protecting the pocketbooks of hardworking residents.

The unprecedented coastal lawsuits target energy companies alleging environmental damage for federally permitted activities conducted decades ago. The eye-popping first judgment in the queue of 40-plus lawsuits was handed down earlier this year, in a nearly $745 million verdict against Chevron. These kinds of nuclear verdicts® send the wrong message to current and future investors, cementing Louisiana's reputation as one of the worst places to do business in the country. These lawsuits lack legal basis, inflict economic harm, and should not be heard in state courts, where the Louisiana trial bar exerts an outsize influence. In fact, these lawsuits are so egregious that even the White House, the U.S. Supreme Court, and a former U.S. Attorney General have weighed in to object. Louisiana’s citizens will be on the wrong side of this “lawsuit lottery” if this suit is upheld and others move forward at the state level.

It is no secret that the costs of lawsuit abuse are felt by all Louisianans. We need far-reaching comprehensive legal reforms to address the nearly 40,000 jobs lost in Louisiana and the more than $1,000 hidden lawsuit tax paid by every single resident. A set of quick fixes in one legislative session is a positive step, but Louisiana must join other states in continually adopting reforms to capitalize on economic opportunities and address consumer needs.

In a prime example of how litigation costs are passed down, the ongoing saga of staged accidents involving big trucks has expanded. In addition to multiple indictments in the Orleans area, a new scheme was uncovered in St. Martin Parish earlier this year resulting in an arrest by Louisiana State Police. This is exactly the kind of environment that drives insurance costs up and existing trucking businesses out of the state.

These are all contributing factors to the poor perception of Louisiana’s legal climate and its place as a fixture on the Judicial Hellholes® list.

About Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW)

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) is a high-impact watchdog group with nearly 20,000 supporters across the state dedicated to fixing Louisiana’s broken legal system through transparency, accountability, and lawsuit reform. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter and www.llaw.org.

Read more about America Tort Reform and the Judicial Hellhole here.

The Radical-Funded Machine Driving Louisiana’s Anti-CCS Campaign

A political fight is unfolding across Louisiana’s energy corridor, but it isn’t the homespun, grassroots uprising its organizers claim. Newly compiled financial records show that more than $50 million in outside money has poured into the activist network campaigning to shut down carbon capture and storage (CCS) projects across the state. Major funders include Michael Bloomberg, Jeff Bezos, George Soros, and the Arabella Advisors network, all of whom bankroll organizations dedicated to phasing out fossil fuels entirely.

The groups leading the anti-CCS push—ranging from the Deep South Center for Environmental Justice to the Louisiana Bucket Brigade, Earthworks, 350.org, and Rise St. James—are heavily financed by national foundations and federal grants. Several operate through fiscal sponsors in California and Washington, D.C., enabling them to present as “local” while masking their donor base and internal finances.

And now, according to public postings and coordination materials, these national organizations are working directly with parish coalitions and landowner groups like Save My Louisiana and the Louisiana CO₂ Alliance. They share the same messaging, graphics, policy demands, and legal strategies—evidence that this isn’t an organic revolt, but a coordinated national campaign using Louisiana as its next battleground.

This network was also reflected in the recent Save My Louisiana lawsuit, which mirrors arguments historically advanced by Earthworks, Sierra Club, and the Bucket Brigade. Their broader policy agenda has already influenced Louisiana’s regulatory climate, including the moratorium on new CCS well applications—an action industry leaders warn is putting the state behind Texas at a pivotal moment.

The stakes for Louisiana’s energy economy are real. CCS is essential for securing billions in new investment, from the proposed Hyundai steel plant to the Meta AI data center, LNG facilities, and next-generation industrial projects. Losing these projects to Texas or Mississippi would mean forfeiting thousands of high-wage jobs and the state’s long-standing leadership in energy production and manufacturing.

Governor Jeff Landry—who has consistently supported responsible CCS development—didn’t mince words when asked about the activist network now influencing local coalitions.

“Leaders of Save My Louisiana have been hoodwinked by the radical left to oppose any new energy development,” Landry told POLITICO’s E&E News. “The men behind that political organization have built their entire careers on the back of the oil and gas industry. They claim to be pro-industry, but they are preventing our state from leading America's energy dominance—and threatening the Louisiana economy and way of life. Sadly, they have been manipulated into becoming the mouthpiece of the well-known anti-oil and gas financiers Mike Bloomberg and George Soros.”

Louisiana isn’t dealing with a spontaneous groundswell of concerned locals. It’s confronting a nationally funded, politically aligned operation working to shut down the very energy projects that underpin the state’s economy, workforce, and future competitiveness. And unless Louisiana reasserts control of its own energy path, those decisions will increasingly be made—not in Baton Rouge—but in the boardrooms of coastal billionaires.

Louisiana Farmers Face a Credit Crunch Fueled by Uncertainty in Both Policy and Markets

On a farm in Gilliam, Louisiana, the final harvest is in. Corn, soybeans, cotton, and peanuts have all been cut and loaded. Now, farmer Stephen Logan is spreading cereal rye seed and planning for the next growing season. But this fall, the federal shutdown has left him — and many like him — working without a safety net.

For weeks, the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s local offices have been closed, cutting off access to conservation payments, short-term crop loans, and critical market data. “All of that is shut down,” Louisiana Agriculture Commissioner Mike Strain told The Advocate, noting that farmers rely on those programs to decide when to sell crops and what to plant next season.

That uncertainty is hitting at a time when Louisiana’s producers are already dealing with high input costs and low crop prices. “We’re resilient,” Logan told The Advocate, “but this is a very tough time in agriculture. The math just doesn’t work.”

Read more: Louisiana Farmers Face a Credit Crunch Fueled by Uncertainty in Both Policy and Markets

Governor Jeff Landry Signs Emergency Declaration Due to the Schumer Shutdown

Louisiana will focus on a elderly, disabled, and children SNAP stopgap

Baton Rouge, LA –Today, Governor Jeff Landry signed an Emergency Declaration for Louisiana to help fund SNAP benefits for the elderly, disabled, and children in our State who have been abandoned by Congressional Democrats. Emergency Declaration Attached.

We should not allow our elderly, disabled, or children to go hungry because of the Washington, D.C. Democrats’ failure to reopen the federal government. Our social security net is supposed to help the most vulnerable, and we will try to accomplish this with today’s action. 

"My Administration has created over 70,000 new job opportunities in Louisiana since I took office. Wages are on the rise, and our economic outlook has never looked better. This is how we move people from dependence to independence.
I urge those who are able bodied to continue to strive to get off SNAP and similar programs. Due to the Democrat’s political games these programs are not reliable. 

I encourage our citizens to seek the thousands of new job opportunities across our State, and free themselves from these social programs that the Left uses as a weaponization tool to win political points,” said Governor Landry. 

Statement from Governor Jeff Landry on Federal Government Shutdown and SNAP Benefits

BATON ROUGE, LA –Today, Governor Jeff Landry issued the follow update on the Federal Government Shutdown and SNAP benefits in Louisiana.

"Notifications from LDH have been sent out stating that, because of Democrat Leader Schumer's Shutdown, SNAP beneficiaries may run out of funds by November 1. I have been in discussions with other governors across the nation, as well as with our legislative leadership. I am making it a top priority to ensure that seniors, individuals with disabilities, and children who rely on food stamps do not go hungry in Louisiana. Democrats’ political games need to end,” said Governor Landry. 

Kennedy, Louisiana Republicans seek answers on alleged October 7 terrorist living in Lafayette, La.

“We appreciate the job you are doing to keep Americans safe here at home and write you as members of the Louisiana congressional delegation to request a briefing regarding how Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi came to reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, after entering the United States in 2024 during the Biden Administration’s dangerous open borders policy.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.), a member of the Senate Judiciary Committee, joined a letter led by U.S. House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) to Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem seeking a briefing on the presence of Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi in Lafayette, La. Al-Muhtadi is a Gazan native who allegedly participated in the Hamas-led Oct. 7, 2023, terrorist attacks on Israel.

Al-Muhtadi entered the United States under false pretenses on September 12, 2024, according to the Department of Justice.

U.S. House Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) and Reps. Julia Letlow (R-La.) and Clay Higgins (R-La.) also joined the letter.

“We appreciate the job you are doing to keep Americans safe here at home and write you as members of the Louisiana congressional delegation to request a briefing regarding how Mahmoud Amin Ya’qub Al-Muhtadi came to reside in Lafayette, Louisiana, after entering the United States in 2024 during the Biden Administration’s dangerous open borders policy,” the lawmakers began.

“According to public reporting and Department of Justice filings, Al-Muhtadi is alleged to have participated in the October 7, 2023, Hamas-led terrorist attacks against Israel and to have entered the United States the following year after falsely concealing his affiliations on his visa application. He was later located living and working in Lafayette, Louisiana, before being taken into custody by federal authorities,” they continued.

“We would also like to be informed about any additional terrorist threats in our state due to President Biden’s dangerous and deadly immigration policies,” the members of the Louisiana delegation added.

“We appreciate your leadership at the Department and your continued commitment to keeping our communities and our nation safe. We look forward to a briefing from your team to help us understand the circumstances surrounding this individual’s entry and residence in Louisiana,” they concluded.

Read the lawmakers’ letter here.

Read more about the letter in Fox News.

LOGA Releases Statement on CCUS Moratorium

BATON ROUGE, LA (October 15, 2025) - Today, Governor Jeff Landry issued an Executive Order suspending all new applications for CCUS projects in Louisiana. In response, LOGA President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

We respectfully disagree with the Governor‘s decision to halt the review of any new CCUS applications.

We are thankful that the Governor didn’t cancel existing CCUS projects, which will continue to prove how safe this technology actually is, and we encourage industry to continue moving forward with the hope that the Governor will lift this moratorium sooner rather than later.

For 75+ years Louisiana’s regulatory arm has safely authorized and governed injection wells. AND for 40+ years through Enhanced Oil Recovery, the Department has safely regulated the injection of CO2. In fact, since 2010, over 47 billion metric tons of CO2 have been safely injected and ultimately stored in Louisiana formations.

Carbon capture is a proven tool that will bring significant economic development and new opportunities to our state and our country, and we remain committed to advancing these benefits for Louisiana.

Governor Jeff Landry Issues Strong Video Message: If you come to our country illegally, Louisiana will give you a new address — Louisiana Lockup

Baton Rouge, LA–Governor Jeff Landry released a new video highlighting Louisiana Lockup, also known as Camp 57. Watch video HERE.

In this video, Governor Landry delivers a stark warning, highlighting the infamous Louisiana Lockup—situated along the Mississippi River and surrounded by alligator-filled swamplands—as one of the toughest facilities in the nation. It houses over 400 illegal detainees deemed the “worst of the worst,” including rapists and murderers.

“Gang members, rapists, drug dealers, and human smugglers have no place in this country, and we are no longer giving them a free pass,” said Governor Landry. “If you come to our country illegally and terrorize our people and community, Louisiana will be giving you a new address, Louisiana Lockup.”  

Governor Jeff Landry Proclaims September 24 as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day

Flags at the State Capitol and all state buildings will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset on September 24th

Baton Rouge, LA – Governor Jeff Landry issued an Executive Order proclaiming September 24, 2025, as Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day in Louisiana—marking the twentieth anniversary of one of the most devastating storms in state history. Executive Order attached.

Hurricane Rita made landfall on September 24, 2005, near the Texas-Louisiana border, bringing destructive winds and a powerful storm surge that devastated Cameron Parish, Vermilion Parish, and much of Southwest Louisiana. At its peak, Rita reached Category 5 strength with winds of 180 mph, before making landfall as a Category 3 storm with 120 mph winds. The hurricane displaced countless residents, destroyed homes and businesses, and left lasting scars across Louisiana.

“Louisianians endured extraordinary suffering during Hurricane Rita, but they also showed unmatched courage and resilience,” said Governor Landry. “Twenty years later, we honor those whose lives were forever changed, remember the victims, and honor the spirit of Louisiana that endures through every storm.”

Under the Executive Order:

• September 24, 2025, is officially designated Hurricane Rita Remembrance Day.

• Flags at the State Capitol and all state buildings will be flown at half-staff from sunrise to sunset in honor of the victims and those who contributed to recovery efforts.

• Local governments, schools, and private institutions are encouraged to join in lowering flags.

• Governor Landry and First Lady Sharon Landry are calling on Louisianians of all faiths and traditions to participate in a Day of Prayer to remember the victims and reflect on the resilience of Louisiana’s communities.

LA Freedom Caucus Chair Wins Best Floor Speech of the Year

Baton Rouge, LA — Louisiana Freedom Caucus Chairwoman Beryl Amedee was honored at the 2025 State Freedom Caucus Summit with the award for best floor speech of the year. Amedee’s remarks were delivered on the House floor during a contentious debate on DEI. She emphasized in her remarks that there is only one race: the human race.

“I am deeply honored to receive this recognition from my Freedom Caucus colleagues,” said Rep. Amedee. “The words I shared in Louisiana’s Capitol were meant to remind us of an enduring truth: that our shared humanity binds us together, even as cultural and political forces attempt to divide us. It is my hope that this message continues to resonate beyond the chamber walls.”

Rep. Amedee also praised the work of the State Freedom Caucus Network. “There are 50 states with 50 swamps, each just as destructive as the swamp in Washington, D.C. The work of State Freedom Caucus legislators is vital to holding the line against federal overreach and to deliver results at home where the American people live, work and raise their families,” she said.

The 2025 State Freedom Caucus Summit convened lawmakers and leaders from across the nation in Dallas, Tx on September 5-6 to highlight legislative achievements, strengthen collaboration and share best practices for taking the fight to the swamp.

Governor Jeff Landry Issues Video Message: Highlights Incredible Progress Louisiana Has Made Under His Leadership

Baton Rouge, LA — Governor Jeff Landry released an inspiring video message today celebrating Louisiana’s progress under his administration. In the video, Governor Landry reflects on his administration’s mission to put Louisiana first, and the results speak for themselves. 

Louisiana has brought in over $70 billion in the first 18 months of the Landry Administration; Louisiana achieved its highest education ranking ever in Pre-K through 12th-grade; New Orleans murder rate is the lowest it’s been in 5o years; and Louisiana now has one of the lowest income tax rates in the South. 

“From day one, we set out to put Louisiana first — and today, we’re seeing the results. This progress belongs to the people of Louisiana,” Governor Landry said. “Louisiana is finally winning.”

Watch full video HERE.

OPINION: Speaker Johnson, Please Help Give Kids a Chance

As a retired nurse, I’ve cared for families facing the unimaginable: a child with a rare disease and no treatment options. Half of all rare disease patients are children, and 95% of these conditions still don’t have an FDA-approved therapy.

The Give Kids a Chance Act is a bipartisan, no-cost solution to change that. It builds on a proven program that has already delivered breakthrough treatments—like one for pediatric high-risk neuroblastoma—that otherwise might not exist. It also strengthens incentives for researchers to focus on kids who are often overlooked because their conditions are so rare.

This isn’t about politics. It’s about giving families hope. Speaker Johnson has always been a strong advocate for life and for Louisiana families, and I know he understands how urgent this is. I’m grateful to Congresswoman Julia Letlow for cosponsoring the bill and standing up for children who need it most. We already have one North Louisiana champion supporting these kids; now we need Speaker Johnson to do the same.

I respectfully urge Speaker Johnson and Congress to include the Give Kids a Chance Act in the September funding package. Families facing the rarest and toughest diagnoses shouldn’t have to wait for hope.

– Lu Jones, RN

Governor Jeff Landry & Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Sign First-of-Its-Kind Make America Healthy Again Legislation

Louisiana Makes Historic Leap Toward Healthier Future  

BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana made history this week with two of the most transformative health bills in the nation. Governor Jeff Landry joined by Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Senator Patrick McMath and other health freedom advocates at Pennington Biomedical Research Center for a press conference and official signing of the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) Bill and the Ivermectin Access Bill. In addition to the bill signings, Governor Landry submitted a formal waiver request to the federal government to reform Louisiana’s SNAP program, prohibiting the use of benefits on sugary sodas, candy, and processed junk food, while rewarding the purchase of fresh, nutritious options.

Watch Full Bill Signing HERE.

“This fight is about our kids, our health, and the future of our state,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “We’re done letting chemicals, corporations, and career bureaucrats decide what’s best for our families. In Louisiana, we’re putting parents back in charge, putting real food back on the table, and giving people the tools to take their health into their own hands. I would like to thank Secretary Kennedy and Senator McMath for their hard work to make our country and Louisiana healthy.”

Senator Patrick McMath, author of the MAHA Bill, echoed the urgency: “Louisiana ranks 43rd in the nation for heart disease and diabetes, and 40% of our adult population struggles with obesity. The people are demanding action, and we’re delivering. This bill gives families the power to make informed decisions and breaks the grip Big Food and Big Pharma have had on our state for too long.”

Background on Legislation:

Louisiana’s MAHA Bill (SB 14) introduces long-overdue reforms to improve the state’s health outcomes, including banning artificial dyes and harmful preservatives in school meals, requiring physicians to complete nutrition education, and mandating food manufacturers and restaurants disclose dangerous ingredients like seed oils. The legislation is backed by overwhelming public support—86% of Louisianans support the bill, and 98% agree consumers deserve transparency about chemicals and additives in their food. The MAHA Bill also passed unanimously in both chambers, a powerful, bipartisan statement that Louisiana is united in putting health and transparency first.

The Ivermectin Access Bill (SB 19) empowers adults across the state to obtain ivermectin directly from pharmacists under a standing order from the Department of Health. The bill includes patient protections, immunity for pharmacists and helps eliminate barriers to low-cost, long-trusted treatments.

ICYMI: Governor Landry Signs Groundbreaking Legislation to Ignite Louisiana’s Energy Industry

BATON ROUGE, LA – Today, Governor Jeff Landry signed into law legislation that will tackle legacy challenges, improve energy affordability, and encourage more oil production.  

Watch the full press conference HERE. 

What Governor Landry Signed: 

SB 244: Sen. Bob Hensgens    

Reorganizes the Department of Energy Natural Resources to make the agency balanced, transparent, and solutions-oriented – including addressing decades of legacy litigation   

Strengthens the rights of Louisiana landowners by limiting expropriation for carbon capture pipelines to companies that operate as common carriers or in situations where it is required solely due to absentee landowners who cannot be located—mirroring the regulatory conditions for petroleum pipelines, ensuring uniformity across Louisiana’s pipeline infrastructure regulations.   

Prevents regulatory overreach at liquid terminals by clarifying the statute regarding pipeline rates and operations at storage or distribution terminals, limiting state oversight scope to ensure predictability and preventing unnecessary litigation.   

Prioritizes water resource management at the state level by transferring oversight of the Capital Area Groundwater Conservation District to the Department of Conservation and Energy, and directing the department to develop a comprehensive water resources management plan to ensure the availability of ground and surface water resources to the public in the face of economic development activities throughout the state.   

Establishes the Natural Resources Commission to promote collaboration among the states resource managers to ensure the protection and availability of the state’s resources for future generations.   

HB 692 Rep. Jacob Landry   

Fortifies Louisiana’s energy future by ordering regulators to prioritize affordable, dependable, in-state dispatchable sources—chiefly natural gas and nuclear—to support grid resilience and shield producers from the cost volatility tied to renewable mandates   

HB 600 Rep. Brett Geymann    

Reduces the severance tax rate on oil produced from newly completed wells after July 1, 2025, and establishes special tax rates for oil produced from limited-production wells, with various certifications and conditions for different well types.   This was a nearly century-old rate of severance tax on oil produced from newly completed wells   

Royalty Executive Order    

Orders the Mineral Board to establish a plan that reduces royalties – helping unleash Louisiana’s coastal energy production   

LA Freedom Caucus Celebrates a Victory for Religious Freedom

BATON ROUGE—In a landmark win for religious liberty in Louisiana, the legislature has passed a bill by LA Freedom Caucus Chairwoman Beryl Amedée (R-Gray) that ensures churches face no stricter regulations than the least restrictive rules applied to secular businesses.

HB371 is an effort to safeguard faith communities. The bill was born out of frustration with our previous governor’s pandemic-era policies, which included keeping bars and abortion clinics open while shuttering churches and even arresting a pastor for holding services. More recently, our state fire marshal has demanded churches spend millions on building upgrades to host small homeschool co-ops on weekdays, despite deeming those same buildings safe for hundreds on Sundays. These inconsistencies expose a clear bias against religious institutions.

HB371 protects churches’ rights to host Vacation Bible School, Mom’s Day Out, camps, and homeschool activities without facing discriminatory restrictions. It upholds the principle that the government must have a compelling interest to burden religious exercise and ensures remedies for violations.

“This isn’t just about churches; it’s about ensuring fairness and preserving the fundamental right to worship and gather without undue interference,” said Rep. Amedee. “Religious liberty is a cornerstone of a free society, and this is a critical step toward ensuring it endures. I urge the governor to sign this bill and affirm our state’s commitment to fairness and freedom for all.”

LOGA Releases Statement on 2025 Legislative Session

BATON ROUGE, LA (June 12, 2025) - Upon the conclusion of the 2025 Louisiana Legislative Session, LOGA President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

This last week of the session proved to be a big one for prospective oil and gas drilling investments in Louisiana. For decades, Louisiana’s upstream oil and gas sector has been at a competitive disadvantage compared to other producing states with regards to our severance tax rates and legacy lawsuits.

HB 600 by Representative Brett Geymann (Lake Charles) lowered the oil severance tax rate from the nation’s highest, at 12.5%, down to 6.5% for all new drilling projects in Louisiana. Each of the last five years that I’ve been at LOGA, we have attempted to lower the severance rate for oil but fell short on each attempt.

Representative Jacob Landry’s (Erath) legacy lawsuit bill, HB 694 was amended into SB 244 by Senator Bob Hensgens (Abbeville) and was passed on Wednesday. We ran a very similar bill last year that was stalled without even getting a vote on the Senate floor, so we are elated that this legislation made it through the process. While the timeline to implement this new legislation won’t begin until September 2027, this is a long-game play. The clock for a new future has officially started with this legacy reform bill.

We want to thank Governor Landry for keeping his promise on addressing both of these important issues. Also, thanks go out to Speaker DeVillier (Eunice), House Natural Resources Chairman Brett Geymann, Representative Jacob Landry, and Senate Natural Resources Chairman Bob Hensgens. With these positive changes, Louisiana is a more attractive place for oil and gas investment today than it was yesterday.

Opinion: American Energy Dominance Starts Here at Home. Louisiana Must Lead, Not Litigate.

President Trump’s recent executive order on “Protecting American Energy from State Overreach” sends a clear message: states must stop weaponizing lawsuits against the very industry that powers our nation. This kind of state-led overreach threatens more than just American energy dominance. It jeopardizes our national security, economic prosperity and the livelihoods of working families across the nation.

In Louisiana, we should understand this better than anyone.

Our energy sector drives 25% of the state’s total economic output, contributing nearly $78 billion in value and supporting more than 300,000 of our neighbors through direct, indirect or induced employment. These are well-paid, stable jobs that fuel communities and help keep Louisiana competitive globally.

But this system—our jobs—are under attack from within.

President Trump’s executive order comes on the heels of the troubling coastal lawsuit verdict from Plaquemines Parish, which sent a stark warning that even lawful, permitted energy investments in Louisiana can lead to billion-dollar consequences decades later. And there are still dozens of coastal lawsuits filed in parishes across South Louisiana that are expected to be heard in court soon.

A 2019 study by the Pelican Institute found that these coastal lawsuits are costing Louisiana’s economy up to $113 million annually. That’s money that could be going toward education, infrastructure and local services. They also create a hostile business climate, delaying permitting, discouraging future investment and signaling to energy producers and beyond that Louisiana is a risky, uncertain place to do business.

And we’re not alone. New York’s so-called “climate change” law seeks to collect billions from energy producers for past greenhouse gas emissions, regardless of when or where they occurred. Vermont is pushing similar legislation. California’s aggressive carbon credit regime forces businesses into an impossible bind with harsh emissions caps and costly compliance requirements. Who would have thought Louisiana would be grouped with states known for being anti-industry?

The longer we delay supporting President Trump’s order and prop up the “weaponized” coastal lawsuits in select parishes, the more we risk undermining Louisiana’s position as an energy leader. Louisianians pay the price as jobs move to states like Texas and investments disappear.

Louisiana energy producers are the number one private investors in our coast. We don’t need to sue them into supporting coastal restoration. Every dollar spent on lawsuits is a dollar not spent on restoration. Louisiana works when we work together.

There is a long way to go before the case in Plaquemines Parish is finished. We cannot let what happened there happen in other parishes across South Louisiana. We urge Louisiana’s leaders: comply with the executive order, drop the lawsuits and focus on working with industry to protect our coast, support our jobs and help power the nation.

Energy dominance starts here at home. Louisiana must lead, not litigate.

By Marc Ehrhardt, Executive Director, Grow Louisiana Coalition

Kennedy in the LOGA Industry Report: GOP mission to clear Biden admin’s red tape will help Louisiana energy producers thrive

“I’m proud that Louisiana will continue to be a leader in oil and gas production as America enters a new era of prosperity and security.”

WASHINGTON – Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) penned this column for the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) Industry Report explaining how Congressional Republicans are working with the Trump administration to clear red tape to help unleash America’s energy dominance.

Key excerpts of the op-ed are below:

“President Biden let TikTok teens, climate change zealots, and other members of the Democratic Party dictate American energy policy for four years. The results were not good.

“The Biden administration left the American people with 29% higher electricity bills, a depleted strategic national fuel reserve, and a mountain of bureaucratic red tape that made it difficult for energy producers to produce energy and create good-paying jobs. In 2024 alone, Louisiana families had to pay nearly $1,000 more to keep their lights on and gas tanks full.

“Fortunately, the American people voted to restore common sense in Washington. President Trump and my conservative colleagues in Congress are working to restore America’s global energy dominance. To do this, we must first clean up the mess left by the Biden administration — and President Trump and his team are off to a great start.”

. . .

“As common sense makes a comeback in Washington, energy dominance is on the horizon. I’m proud that Louisiana will continue to be a leader in oil and gas production as America enters a new era of prosperity and security.”

Read Kennedy’s column here.  

The crafty US state that's showing how to thrive under Trump

LITTLETON, Colorado, April 28 (Reuters) - Louisiana has long been overshadowed by its more showy neighbour Texas, which boasts a larger economy and population and has for decades wielded greater sway among policymakers in Washington DC and on the world stage.

But the Bayou State is staging a revival that could see it emerge as the more dynamic and influential Gulf Coast hub over the coming decades, thanks to a development blueprint that could be described as being all things to all people.

Read more: The crafty US state that's showing how to thrive under Trump