Louisiana’s Anti-CCS “Conservatives” Push for Democrat over Trump-endorsed Julia Letlow

A flood of comments inside the anti-CCS Facebook group The People of Louisiana Against Carbon Capture Sequestration, part of Save My Louisiana’s so-called United Front Against CCS, show Fleming supporters now openly threatening to back Democrat Jamie Davis for U.S. Senate over Trump-endorsed Julia Letlow. LACAG promoted Davis’ content on CCS. Save My Louisiana encouraged Democrats to re-register Republican to vote for Fleming. These aren’t conservative activists. The mask is off.

At the center of it is John Fleming himself, who has built his entire Senate campaign on opposition to carbon capture while peddling demonstrably false claims about the technology and its effects on Louisiana landowners. Fleming has repeatedly misrepresented how eminent domain applies to CO2 pipelines, ignored the state’s existing permitting safeguards, and stoked fear in rural communities using talking points that trace straight back to the same national ENGO network funding his allies. He didn’t stumble into this movement. He chose it and the company he’s kept tells you everything about what’s really going on.

None of it is surprising once you follow the money. The Pelican Institute reports that out-of-state funders have directed $115.5 million to Louisiana’s anti-oil and gas NGO network since 2020, a staggering 98.4% of everything these groups have taken in. Bloomberg, Soros-aligned foundations, and other out-of-state networks are who’s bankrolling the “grassroots” resistance. And the Sierra Club’s Angelle Bradford has been in the anti-CCS comment threads cheering Fleming voters toward the Democratic candidate, calling it an “American patriot statement” when one commenter declared the Republican party dead to him.

No one should be surprised. For years, anti-CCS activists have insisted their movement was about protecting Louisiana communities, not politics. But now many of the same voices are openly encouraging support for a Democrat over President Trump's endorsed candidate for U.S. Senate.

That's the tell. This was never just about carbon capture. It was about building a coalition against Louisiana's energy future and finding a Republican willing to carry their message. John Fleming chose to become that candidate. Louisiana voters deserve to know exactly who is cheering him on.

The REPAIR Act is Good for America and Good for Louisiana

Vehicle manufacturers have created a rigged market. They restrict independent repair shops from accessing the same diagnostic data and software tools they freely provide to authorized dealerships. The result is artificial scarcity, inflated costs, and the slow strangulation of a sector that employs millions of Americans and millions more in Louisiana specifically.

This is the problem the REPAIR Act addresses. The legislation, H.R. 1566 in the House and S. 1379 in the Senate, would require manufacturers to provide independent repair shops the same data access they currently give to dealerships. That's it. No special privileges. No advantages. Just equal access to the same information.

The stakes for Louisiana are substantial. Sixty-three percent of independent repair shops already report difficulty making routine repairs on a daily or weekly basis due to manufacturer data restrictions. In rural parishes where dealerships are often sixty or eighty miles away, this is not an inconvenience. It is a barrier to basic vehicle maintenance. Farmers and rural families cannot drive two hours for routine service. They depend on the local mechanic. When that mechanic cannot access the repair data he needs, the entire rural economy suffers.

The numbers are stark. Independent repair shops charge thirty-six percent less on average than dealerships. The cost impact without the REPAIR Act is projected at thirty-four billion dollars annually across the country. The average American family will face an additional $185 to $225 in annual vehicle repair costs. Over a decade, that is thousands of dollars. For independent aftermarket businesses, the picture is worse. Market share will collapse from 55% today to 30% by 2035 without legislative action. Four million American jobs in the vehicle supplier industry are at risk. 82,500 independent repair shops, employing 345,600 workers, will be devastated.

Louisiana's agricultural economy depends on these shops. Rural hospitals and emergency services depend on families being able to keep their vehicles maintained affordably. Small towns depend on the jobs these businesses provide. 

The core principle at stake is whether we allow competitive markets or accept manufactured monopolies. When a single player can lock out competitors through data restriction rather than superior service or pricing, competition ceases to exist. The REPAIR Act restores it.

The bill has already advanced out of the House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Commerce, Manufacturing, and Trade. It carries bipartisan support, and polling has shown that an overwhelming number of Americans back the bill. The Trump Administration has committed to lowering costs and protecting American jobs. This legislation accomplishes both objectives.

Speaker Johnson and Majority Leader Scalise have the opportunity to bring this bill to the floor and advance it. Louisiana's rural communities, Louisiana's agricultural economy, and Louisiana's independent businesses depend on it. The REPAIR Act deserves a vote.

Jeff Landry Can Transform Louisiana by Ending the Income Tax

Look, we all know Louisiana has a tax problem. We tax working people, and then we wonder why they leave. It's that simple. Jeff Landry has a chance to actually do something about it, and this is the move that could define his governorship.

Our income tax is a relic. All it is is just a hamper on the Louisiana economy. We're literally watching talented people, young families, and growing businesses pick up and move to Texas or Florida, and we hand them the logic on a silver platter by keeping a tax structure that those states ditched years ago. But here's what gives me hope—Jeff Landry has never been the type to accept things the way they've always been.

This is a guy who challenged the establishment, who pushed back when everyone said something couldn't be done. That's his track record. That's who he is. And that's exactly the kind of maverick energy Louisiana needs right now on taxes.

Think about what income tax repeal actually does for a Louisiana family. A guy making fifty grand a year keeps an extra $2000-$2500. That's real money. He spends it here in Louisiana. A retiree gets a massive advantage over moving to Georgia or North Carolina. A business owner who's been split between here and Houston suddenly has one less reason to spend more time out of state. These aren't theoretical benefits. This is how you reshape where money and talent actually flows.

And yes, somebody's going to ask the obvious question. Where does the money come from? Fair point. But here's what people know about Jeff Landry. He actually thinks about how government works. He knows how to execute. The state has a bunch of tax exemptions and deductions that benefit people with lobbyists more than they benefit ordinary Louisianans. You broaden the sales tax base, you eliminate the garbage exemptions, you look at consumption-based taxation the way other states have. It's not magic, it’s just math. It just requires the political will to say no to the special interests that have gotten used to their deals. And Landry's proven he's willing to do exactly that.

This is the kind of leadership that actually changes a state's trajectory. Landry's already reshaping Louisiana through smart governance and law and order. Income tax repeal is the move that takes all of that and amplifies it. He could make Louisiana the place where you keep what you earn. He can make us the state that’s constantly trying to grow. That's the kind of thing governors get remembered for.

Look at Texas. Look at Florida. Look at Tennessee. They didn't get where they are by accident. They made deliberate choices about what kind of state they wanted to be. Landry has already proven he makes bold choices. This is right up his alley.

There's going to be noise. The unions and liberals will say the sky's falling. Everyone who's gotten used to government spending your money will find reasons why it can't be done. They said the same thing in every state that actually did this. And every single one of them has grown faster and generated more opportunity as a result.

Landry's already different. He's focused on efficiency, law and order, economic development and on actually running the state the right way. 

That's foundational. But true transformation means moving the needle on what kind of state Louisiana actually is. It means making the bold call that creates a ripple effect through the entire economy. That's Landry's moment. That's what he's built his career to do.

Please, Governor Landry, let's take that next step and continue on the path to fundamentally changing Louisiana for the better.

Let’s repeal the income tax. 

Do We Want a Trial Lawyer Economy or a REAL Economy?

Louisiana’s future depends on the choices we make now: do we want a trial lawyer economy or a REAL economy?

In this conversation with Moon Griffon, Grow Louisiana Coalition Executive Director Marc Ehrhardt discusses the growing impact of coastal lawsuits on Louisiana’s economy, business climate, and long-term investment outlook.

As Marc explains, companies looking to invest want certainty, but endless litigation creates an environment that pushes opportunity elsewhere.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry on new LNG project, AI data center growth

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry discusses the groundbreaking of a new LNG facility in Louisiana, the state’s expanding energy sector and growing AI data center investments.

Gov. Jeff Landry Announces Plan to Deliver Permanent Teacher Pay Raise

Baton Rouge, La. — Today, Governor Jeff Landry announced the signing of an Executive Order to provide a permanent pay raise for Louisiana teachers. Executive Order attached. 

Watch full press conference HERE.

“I promised Louisiana's teachers a pay raise, and today we're delivering.” said Governor Landry.  "For too long, teachers have been used as political pawns. That ends now."

Republican Party of Louisiana Launches "You Don't Recall" Campaign

Baton Rouge, La. – The Republican Party of Louisiana today announced the launch of “You Don’t Recall,” a weeklong social media campaign designed to remind Louisianans of the significant accomplishments achieved by Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill.

The campaign will feature daily posts spotlighting key results in public safety, education, tax relief, economic growth, and protecting children and families.

“It’s ridiculous that liberals want to recall the Governor and Attorney General for simply doing the job they were elected to do,” said LAGOP Chairman Derek Babcock. “This radical left political stunt is doomed to fail. While they focus on political theater, we’re reminding the people of Louisiana what real results look like.”

Under Governor Landry’s leadership, Louisiana has:

• Delivered the largest state income tax cut in Louisiana history, saving the typical middle-class family nearly $500 and the average working individual around $261 this year - putting real money back in people’s pockets for groceries, gas, and bills.

• Lowered auto insurance rates for the first time in years, with more than 20 insurance companies filing rate decreases after historic insurance reforms.

• Achieved some of the lowest electricity rates in America (2nd lowest in the nation) and dramatically improved energy affordability rankings.

• Reduced murders in New Orleans by 55% since 2022, with sharp drops in carjackings and armed robberies, making communities safer and lowering costs tied to crime.

• Delivered record-breaking education gains, including the largest one-year jump in state history on the Nation’s Report Card.

• Attracted nearly $100 billion in new economic investment, creating thousands of new jobs and slowing outmigration through opportunity and growth.

Attorney General Liz Murrill has delivered equally impressive results, including:

• Expanding the Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force and rescuing dozens of child victims.

• Successfully defending Louisiana’s first-in-the-nation Ten Commandments law in public schools.

• Fighting federal censorship and protecting pharmacists and patients.

“The 'You Don't Recall' campaign is one way to remind everyone what good government can accomplish when elected officials keep their promises,” Chairman Babcock continued. “Governor Landry and Attorney General Murrill are delivering lower taxes, lower insurance rates, safer streets, better schools, and more opportunity. Their Party stands with them. I encourage all conservatives to share these posts and help amplify the message of progress.”

“You Don’t Recall” will run from May 18–22, 2026.

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About the Republican Party of Louisiana
The Republican Party of Louisiana is dedicated to advancing conservative principles, supporting Republican candidates, and promoting policies that strengthen families, grow the economy, and protect individual freedoms across the state.

Louisiana Ranks First Among States In Reading Growth, Second In Math On Latest National Education Scorecard

Louisiana Is The Only State To Surpass Pre-Pandemic Levels In Both Reading And Math.

Baton Rouge, LA— Today, the 2026 Education Recovery Scorecard was released, showing significant improvement in both reading and math scores. Louisiana continues to lead the nation in academic recovery, ranking first among states in reading and second among states in math. Louisiana is the only state where average student performance has surpassed 2019 levels in both subjects.

This Scorecard follows the 2024 Nation’s Report Card where Louisiana jumped 17 spots up to 32, the highest ranking in state’s history.  The 2025 Education Scorecard shows Louisiana is still leading the nation in education improvement, this time for growth from 2022 to 2025.

“Today’s education scorecard results did not happen by accident. They happened because we changed the script in Louisiana. We returned our classrooms back to the basics and empowered our teachers and families,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Louisiana is leading again, and this is only the beginning!”

The Narrative Cracks: Anti-Carbon Capture Groups Deny Soros Ties as Funding Tells a Different Story

Over the past several years, a network of environmental groups working in Louisiana has helped drive opposition to oil and gas development, industrial expansion, and carbon capture projects across the state.

Many of those same groups are connected, directly or indirectly, to a national funding pipeline backed by George Soros and his affiliated organizations.

At the same time, activists at the center of Louisiana’s anti-carbon capture campaigns have repeatedly denied any connection to that network, dismissing such claims as false or misleading.

But a closer look at publicly available data tells a more complicated story.

Since 2019, Soros and his affiliated donor network, including the Open Society Foundations and the Tides Foundation, have directed at least $18.5 million into environmental organizations operating in Louisiana. These funds have supported a range of advocacy efforts aimed at opposing energy development in the state, including the expansion of carbon capture infrastructure.

While activists often point to the absence of direct checks from Soros himself, that framing ignores how modern advocacy networks operate. Funding rarely moves in a straight line. Instead, it flows through interconnected national and regional organizations that provide resources, staffing, legal support, and strategic coordination to local groups.

In Louisiana, that network is extensive.

Organizations such as Step Up Louisiana and Rise St. James have received funding tied to these national pipelines, either directly or through fiscal sponsors aligned with the same donor ecosystem. At the same time, national groups with an established presence in Louisiana, like the Sierra Club and Earthjustice, have collectively taken in more than $14 million from those same sources since 2019.

These organizations are not passive participants. They play a central role in shaping the anti-carbon capture campaign—bringing legal challenges, organizing opposition, and amplifying messaging across the state. In some cases, national groups have directly coordinated with Louisiana-based activists on efforts to block energy projects, further blurring the line between local advocacy and national strategy.

Taken together, the pattern is difficult to ignore.

What is presented publicly as a decentralized, grassroots resistance begins to look more like a coordinated campaign supported by a well-funded network with national reach. That distinction matters—not just for the sake of transparency, but for understanding what is truly driving the debate over carbon capture in Louisiana.

The stakes are significant. As global markets and domestic policy increasingly prioritize lower-carbon production, carbon capture is emerging as a key factor in determining where industrial investment flows. For a state like Louisiana, whose economy is deeply tied to energy, manufacturing, and exports, the ability to deploy that technology could shape its economic trajectory for decades.

Opposition groups are entitled to challenge those projects. But the argument changes when the movement is framed as purely local while drawing support from millions of dollars in national funding tied to George Soros and his broader network.

Governor Jeff Landry Suspends Only U.S. House Primary Elections Following Supreme Court Ruling

BATON ROUGE, La. — Governor Jeff Landry issued an executive order suspending Louisiana’s closed party primary elections only for offices of U.S. Representative in response to the recent decision by the United States Supreme Court in Louisiana v. Callais. EO attached.

“The best way to end race-based discrimination is to stop making decisions based on race,” said Governor Jeff Landry. “Here in Louisiana, we’re proud to lead the nation on this charge. Allowing elections to proceed under an unconstitutional map would undermine the integrity of our system and violate the rights of our voters. This executive order ensures we uphold the rule of law while giving the Legislature the time it needs to pass a fair and lawful congressional map. I would like to thank Attorney General Liz Murrill for her hard work throughout this process”

The ruling issued on April 29 found Louisiana’s current congressional district map, enacted under SB 8 during the 2024 First Extraordinary Session, to be an unconstitutional gerrymander. The decision effectively reinstates a lower court injunction prohibiting the state from conducting congressional elections under the invalidated map.

As a result, the state’s closed party primary elections for U.S. House seats, previously scheduled for May 16, 2026, and the second primary set for June 27, 2026, are suspended. Early voting for the May election was set to begin May 2. Other offices and ballot measures scheduled for May 16 will continue as planned. This suspension will only apply to the U.S. House races.

This executive order follows certification from the Louisiana Secretary of State that an electoral emergency exists, as provided under R.S. 18:401.1. The statute authorizes the governor to suspend or delay elections to protect voter safety, participation, and the integrity of the process.

Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill Issue Joint Statement

Baton Rouge, LA – Today, Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill issued the following statement after yesterday’s Supreme Court ruling in Louisiana v. Callais. 

“Yesterday’s historic Supreme Court victory for Louisiana has an immediate consequence for the State. The Supreme Court previously stayed an injunction against the State’s enforcement of the current Congressional map. By the Court’s order, however, that stay automatically terminated with yesterday’s decision. Accordingly, the State is currently enjoined from carrying out congressional elections under the current map. We are working together with the Legislature and the Secretary of State’s office to develop a path forward.”

Louisiana Has a Stake in Getting Stablecoin Policy Right

For years, the debate around cryptocurrency regulation has been defined by extremes. On one side, a push for rapid innovation with minimal guardrails. On the other, a regulatory environment that struggled to keep pace with the technology at all.

What is now emerging in Washington is something different, and more important. It is the beginning of a coherent financial framework.

The latest developments around the CLARITY Act show that the conversation has moved beyond whether crypto should be regulated and into how it should be integrated into the broader financial system. That shift matters.

Read more: Louisiana Has a Stake in Getting Stablecoin Policy Right

Louisiana Leads the Nation on 5th Annual St. Joseph the Worker Day as Wisconsin Joins

Baton Rouge, Louisiana – Louisiana is leading the nation in recognizing the everyday heroes who power American families and communities. A bold new billboard, erected in preparation for the 5th Annual St. Joseph the Worker Day, is now up along highly visible Interstate 10, between Lafayette and Baton Rouge. This stretch carries an estimated 70,000+ vehicles per day and serves as a major freight corridor supporting high-volume commerce, tourism, and regional connectivity across the state. The billboard stands as a prominent reminder of Louisiana’s statewide May 1st “Thank a Worker” day.

Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry said:

“Louisiana is leading the nation in recognizing the dignity and importance of work by establishing St. Joseph the Worker Day on May 1st of each year. America was built on the backs of hardworking men and women, and we ought to be celebrating their vital contributions. I’m proud that Wisconsin has joined Louisiana as the second state in the nation to embrace this effort, and we encourage all states to follow our lead. On May 1st, I invite every family, business, church, civic and community organization to join the ‘Thank a Worker’ movement with simple acts of gratitude that honor the true strength of our great state and our great nation.”

Louisiana St. Joseph the Worker Day was unanimously established in 2021 through Louisiana Senate Resolution No. 116. The observance pays tribute to all workers and their contributions. This includes military personnel, educators, first responders, healthcare providers, energy workers, farmers, fishermen, mechanics, restaurant staff, barbers and beauticians, administrative professionals, finance experts, and many others. It gives special recognition to mothers, who are believed to hold the most important vocation of all.

In this era of rapid technological change and artificial intelligence, May 1st serves as a timely reminder of the irreplaceable value of human creativity, care, and dedication. In 2025, Wisconsin became the second state in the nation to formally adopt the observance through Senate Joint Resolution 16, recognizing May 1st of each year as Wisconsin St. Joseph the Worker Day.

Wisconsin Senator Cory Tomczyk said: “Wisconsin proudly joins Louisiana to honor our workers—farmers, factory workers, teachers, tradespeople—who reflect St. Joseph’s humility, perseverance, and service. This resolution affirms work’s vital role in thriving communities.”

While the United States spotlights American workers with a federal holiday on Labor Day — the first Monday in September — this movement seeks to reclaim May 1st as another special day to champion our nation’s workers. Globally, May 1st has long been observed as International Workers’ Day. While that observance has often emphasized state power and class divisions, a more hopeful vision emerged in 1955 when Pope Pius XII established the worldwide feast of St. Joseph the Worker on the same date. This feast draws inspiration from St. Joseph, the humble carpenter whose life modeled dignity, dedication, patience, humility, and service.

This initiative is a non-partisan, grassroots effort and invites all people to affirm the dignity of labor and the human spirit.

“Louisiana’s working men and women deserve our recognition for what they do each and every day,” said Scott A. Angelle, Former Lieutenant Governor of Louisiana and former Director of the Bureau of Safety and Environmental Enforcement (BSEE), U.S. Department of the Interior and one of the founders of the St. Joseph the Worker Initiative. “It’s only right that we call a time-out to express our gratitude to those who are able and willing to get up each morning, put in an honest day’s work, and provide for their families. Their grit not only strengthens our communities but sets a powerful example for the next generation.”

Businesses, schools, churches, organizations, and families are encouraged to participate through simple, heartfelt acts such as:

• Hosting a St. Joseph the Worker Day breakfast for employees or first responders

• Buying coffee for a delivery driver or neighbor

• Writing thank-you notes to teachers and healthcare workers

• Offering “lagniappe” (a Cajun term for a little something extra) to those who serve

Every act counts. A growing number of organizations have already committed to participating, including Ochsner Lafayette General Hospital, St. Thomas More Catholic High School, and USA Energy Workers.

While participation is voluntary and free, organizations and individuals are invited to register their ‘Thank a Worker’ activities at saintjosephtheworker.com.

LFT and LAE Announce Support for Constitutional Amendment 3

BATON ROUGE, La. — The Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees and the Louisiana Association of Educators announced their support for Constitutional Amendment 3 on the May 16, 2026 ballot.

The organizations said CA 3 creates a path to permanent salary increases for educators and school employees while protecting the retirement benefits they have earned. Under the amendment and companion legislation, savings from a one-time payment on the state’s debt to the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana would be used to support permanent salary increases of $2,250 for certificated personnel and $1,125 for noncertificated personnel, plus related benefits. The groups said the amendment would also help prevent a future pay cut if temporary stipends are not renewed in later budget cycles.

“Constitutional Amendment 3 is an important step toward the permanent pay increases educators and school employees have long deserved,” said Larry Carter, president of the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees. “It creates a path away from temporary stipends and toward lasting salary growth, while protecting the retirement benefits educators and retirees have earned or will earn in the future. LFT will continue fighting for educators’ salaries to reach the Southern regional average and then the national average, and for school employees to receive the compensation they deserve.”

“CA 3 is an important step toward greater stability for the people who work in Louisiana’s public schools,” said D’Shay Oaks, president of the Louisiana Association of Educators. “This amendment helps create permanent salary increases for educators and school employees while protecting earned retirement benefits. LAE and LFT will continue advocating for permanent pay increases and for educators’ salaries to reach the Southern regional average and then the national average.”

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About the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees:

With over 18,000 members, the Louisiana Federation of Teachers and School Employees is the largest professional organization for educators in the state of Louisiana.

About the Louisiana Association of Educators:

The mission of the Louisiana Association of Educators is to organize and empower local associations to promote quality public schools, strengthen the education profession, and improve the well-being of members. 

LOGA Responds to Supreme Court’s Decision to Move Plaquemines Parish Coastal Lawsuit to Federal Court

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 17, 2026) - Today, the United States Supreme Court issued a unanimous 8-0 decision in Chevron USA Inc. v. Plaquemines Parish, Louisiana declaring that the case should be tried in federal court, as opposed to state court.

In response, LOGA President Mike Moncla issued the following statement:

“This is a huge, but incremental win for our industry. For far too long, frivolous lawsuits, whether it be coastal or legacy, have pushed investment out of our state.

Decades ago, the defendants of these lawsuits invested in drilling in our coastal region after the state encouraged, incentivized, and gave permits to do so, all the while the state raked in billions of dollars in severance and royalty collections.

From the time these lawsuits began a decade ago, oil and gas activity in Louisiana’s state leases and inland waters has declined to nearly nothing.

Drilling is nil, production is a shadow of its former self, and service companies have been starved into bankruptcies.

This case is as frivolous as the ones by liberal cities like Baltimore who sue oil and gas for climate change -- while they sit in their air-conditioned offices.

Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court is the first step towards justice.”

What Flew Over Barksdale Should Change How We Think About China, AI, and American Power

For most Louisianans, national security feels distant—something that plays out in Washington or halfway around the world.

But recently, it showed up right here at home.

Multiple waves of unauthorized drones were spotted near Barksdale Air Force Base, one of the most strategically important military installations in the country. According to ABC News, the incursions raised serious concerns about surveillance and the vulnerability of U.S. airspace.

This wasn’t just an isolated incident. It was a glimpse of the future.

Read more: What Flew Over Barksdale Should Change How We Think About China, AI, and American Power

Governor Announces Historic Tax Relief as Louisiana Families Save More

BATON ROUGE, La. — Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry today highlighted the impact of the 2024 Tax Reform Special Session, noting that folks across the state are now saving more money as they file their 2025 tax returns.

“When people file taxes this year, they are getting a bigger refund,” said Governor Landry. “The typical middle-class working family will save nearly $500, and the average working individual will save around $261—cutting their state income tax liability by nearly a third. Turns out the biggest jackpot in Louisiana this year was in your paycheck!”

Background:

The legislation delivered the largest income tax cut in state history. By nearly tripling the standard deduction to $12,500, families now pay no income tax on their first $25,000 of income. 

Louisiana moved to a flat 3 percent personal income tax rate, the second lowest in the nation and the lowest in the South, providing immediate relief.

The reform doubled the retirement income exemption to $12,000, allowing a married couple over 65 to earn nearly $49,000 tax-free. We also eliminated the corporate franchise tax and reduced the corporate income tax rate to a flat 5.5 percent, strengthening Louisiana’s business climate.

The changes are permanent and include automatic increases to the standard deduction to protect families from inflation.

New Report: Third-Party Litigation Financing Is Undermining Affordability Nationwide

Analysis shows higher prices, lost income, and lost tax revenue tied to exploitative lawsuit investment practices

(Baton Rouge, LA) – Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) recently released a new report detailing how third-party litigation financing (TPLF) is driving up costs for American consumers and families at a time when affordability remains a top concern across the country.

The report, The Impact of Third-Party Litigation Funding on U.S. Business Activity and Consumers, prepared by The Perryman Group, examines how outside foreign and sovereign entities that are financing lawsuits in exchange for a share of the payout are distorting the civil justice system and passing exorbitant costs onto households through inflated prices and reduced economic growth.

This highly unregulated and purposefully opaque practice turns America’s courtrooms into casinos that are open for business to investors at the expense of American citizens and businesses. Adding insult to injury, foreign investors can often avoid paying taxes on their profits.

“When undisclosed investors bankroll lawsuits for profit, the costs are not limited to the courtroom. Louisianans are facing these consequences through increased prices for goods and services, job losses, and reduced purchasing power. With little oversight, TPLF also lends itself to concerns regarding conflicts of interest, since we do not know who is actually controlling the litigation,” said Rep. Emily Chenevert (R-Baton Rouge). “I have filed HB240 in the upcoming session that will limit recovery under TPLF agreements and provide more disclosure around these agreements,” she added.

“Rep. Chenevert has led the charge to address TPLF in Louisiana, which has quietly become an increasingly significant burden on our families,” said Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Executive Director Lana Venable. “Unfortunately, legislation introduced last year to reinforce initial 2024 reforms did not make it through the process. We look forward to Rep. Chenevert’s legislation this year to increase transparency on the involvement of outside financiers and protect litigants from exploitation,” she added.

According to the report, the economic impact of third-party litigation financing is significant:

• Over $607 per household per year in lost earnings and reduced purchasing power due to higher inflation and slower economic growth

• $192.79 per person annually in direct consumer costs tied to TPLF-driven litigation inefficiencies

• More than $31 billion in added inflationary pressure across the economy, driven in part by higher insurance and liability-related costs

• Over $54 billion in lost economic output annually, weakening job growth and income gains that families rely on to keep up with rising costs

• An estimated 454,450 jobs are lost every year as businesses struggle to absorb the rising costs and uncertainty created by third-party litigation financing

• Upwards of $15 billion in annual tax receipts are lost across Federal, State, and Local Governments due to excessive TPLF litigation.

“These findings confirm what we are already feeling at the checkout counter and when paying our monthly bills,” Venable added. “TPLF fuels the wave of frivolous litigation that raises costs across the economy, leaving families with less money in their pockets and fewer opportunities to get ahead while these wealthy outside investors earn millions in tax-free profits.”

CALA released the report as part of its ongoing efforts to highlight how lawsuit abuse and predatory litigation undermine affordability, economic stability, and fairness for consumers nationwide. CALA emphasizes that while a fair civil justice system is essential, practices that inject profit-driven incentives into litigation can create ripple effects that hurt households and economic viability long after a case is filed.

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.

About Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA)

Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) is a nonpartisan, grassroots movement working to end rampant lawsuit abuse across the United States. CALA advocates for common sense legal reform measures by educating the public about the devastating, real-world costs of lawsuit abuse on working families and small businesses.

About The Perryman Group (TPG)

An economic and financial analysis firm, The Perryman Group (TPG), provides clients with well-documented, carefully considered answers to even the most complex questions. For more than 30 years, The Perryman Group has met the challenges of thousands of clients through a systematic approach and a level of performance that assures a consistent standard of excellence. The firm has been involved in scores of major events shaping the economic landscape, from crucial corporate locations to landmark legislation to important regulatory policies to notable judicial decisions.

Louisiana Signs Its Largest Set of BEAD Agreements by Coverage to Date, Moving 75K+ Locations Closer to Construction

Louisiana has signed its next round of grant agreements with providers through BEAD’s Benefit of the Bargain initiative, marking the state’s largest set to date by number of locations covered.

The new agreements build on last month’s announcement that Louisiana was the first state in the country to sign BEAD grant agreements with internet service providers. This latest round covers 76,045 locations statewide and will be delivered by a mix of local and national providers: Cajun Broadband, Conexon, REV and Swyft Fiber.

These agreements build on Louisiana’s ongoing progress expanding broadband access across the state. Currently, 93% of Louisiana households and businesses are served, and the state remains on pace to achieve statewide high-speed internet access by 2028, two years ahead of the federal 2030 goal.

In November, Louisiana became the first state in the nation to receive federal approval of its final Broadband, Equity, Access, and Deployment (BEAD) proposal, clearing the way to deploy $1.36 billion in federal broadband funding. That approval positioned Louisiana to move quickly from planning to execution and begin delivering BEAD-funded projects on the ground.

These projects are expected to break ground in the coming weeks as Louisiana continues working to close the digital divide and expand high-speed internet access statewide.

Learn more about the GUMBO 2.0 program

The Louisiana Office of Broadband Development and Connectivity (ConnectLA) leads the state’s efforts to expand high-speed internet access and close the digital divide. Housed within the Louisiana Division of Administration, ConnectLA works across federal, state and local partners to identify and implement strategies that ensure every resident can benefit from reliable broadband connectivity.

Gov. Landry Declares January Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Louisiana

BATON ROUGE, LA – Governor Landry has signed a proclamation officially declaring January as Human Trafficking Prevention Month in Louisiana, joining the national observance to bring awareness to the fight against human trafficking. This declaration underscores the state’s commitment to protecting vulnerable individuals, supporting survivors, and preventing human trafficking in all forms.

View proclamation here. 

In recognition of National Wear Blue Day, also known as Human Trafficking Awareness Day on Sunday, January 11, all Louisianans are encouraged to wear blue to raise awareness about human trafficking prevention. Additionally, the staff of the Governor’s Office will wear blue on Monday, January 12, as part of the ongoing effort to highlight this important issue. On the same day, the Louisiana State Capitol and the Governor’s Mansion will shine in blue as a sign of the state’s dedication to this cause.

Human trafficking impacts thousands of people across the United States each year, and Louisiana remains steadfast in its mission to combat this crisis through education, outreach, and support for survivors. For more information on human trafficking, resources, and ways to get involved, visit https://humantrafficking.la.gov.