Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Clay Higgins from Louisiana’s delegation in Washington weigh in on President Trumps SOTU address last night.
Posts filed under Louisiana
Louisiana Just May Be the State to End Roe v. Wade
Photo source: www.supremecourt.gov
An recent Supreme Court petition application regarding a law passed in the State of Louisiana may actually be the death knell on Roe v. Wade. The application, which is likely to be denied, would send the Louisiana law back to the lower courts, thus effectively ending Roe.
Per the left-leaning ThinkProgress:
Yes, the court is very unlikely to hand down an opinion this week which uses the words “Roe v. Wade is overruled.” But these abortion providers filed this application because a federal appeals court openly defied the Supreme Court’s most recent abortion decision. When the court refuses to enforce its own decision, that will send a clear signal to lower court judges throughout the country that they are free to uphold restrictions on abortion.
The case is June Medical Services v. Gee.
Louisiana’s Attorney General, Jeff Landry, had the following to say regarding the Fifth Circuit’s ruling on the Louisiana Law, which is being petitioned to the Supreme Court:
“The Fifth Circuit once again affirmed what we have repeatedly said: our law is both factually and legally different from the Texas law that the Supreme Court ruled against,” Landry said. “I once again thank Representative Katrina Jackson for authoring this public safety legislation and Solicitor General Liz Murrill for preserving the Legislature’s intent.”
Read more:
The Supreme Court may kill Roe v. Wade as soon as this week
BOLD Strategies Adds Depth
Lynnel Ruckert and Andree Miller join the Bold Team
Photo source: BOLD Strategies
(Baton Rouge, LA) – BOLD Strategies kicked off the new year by adding Lynnel Ruckert and Andree Miller to the team. They join Bold President Kyle Ruckert who first opened the firm in 2016. Signaling a big year ahead, Bold Strategies will continue to advise corporate clients in both Washington and Baton Rouge, in addition to supporting the political efforts of U.S. Senator John Kennedy, Attorney General Jeff Landry, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, Congressman Garret Graves, Congressman Higgins and spearheading the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority.
BOLD Strategies provides political consulting and government relations to campaigns, nonprofit groups, and private-sector companies.
“Lynnel and Andree bring with them decades of experience both in Washington and Baton Rouge, as well as from the campaign trail,” said Kyle Ruckert. “Their unique talent and contacts will provide immediate value and depth to our clients and candidates alike. I couldn’t be more excited they are joining our team.”
Lynnel served as Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s chief of staff for eight years. During her D.C. tenure she worked with Congress and the White House to develop and execute strategy on major trade, health care and tax issues. Since returning to Louisiana she has served as Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Landry, Assistant Treasurer and graduated from the Baton Rouge Chamber Leadership program.
Andree brings unique experience as a former fundraiser and event planner for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On Capitol Hill she crafted and advanced public policy for U.S. Senator David Vitter and served as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. In Louisiana she worked for Congressman Garret Graves and Attorney General Jeff Landry.
At Least One Good Thing Will Come Out of the Saints Getting Screwed
Photo source: NBC Sports
The Super Bowl gate will take a major hit……………….
The cheapest tickets to the game are in the range of $2,800. The trend is similar to a drop in cost for the 2018 game between the Patriots and Philadelphia Eagles, according to TicketIQ.
The report indicates the Saints would've brought a much bigger appetite for ticket-buyers, as the team enjoys a "fanatical" following and is the closest to Atlanta.
Who Dat!!!!
Read more: Report: Super Bowl ticket prices plummet with 'worst-case' Patriots-Rams matchup
"Honor Code" Announces Re-election Intentions and a GOP Candidate Responds
Photo source: Wikipedia
Republican Louisiana gubernatorial candidate Ralph Abraham issued the following statement in response to Edwards' campaign launch video:
"Louisiana has seen the largest tax increase in state history, years of out-migration by the thousands, one of the highest unemployment rates in the country, failing grades for fiscal policy, and one of the weakest economies in the US under John Bel Edwards’ watch. If he's bragging about those as first term achievements, I'd hate to see what the next four years would look like. Louisiana is clearly on the wrong path, and the only way to correct it is with a new governor."
Read more: Governor Edwards issues video touting re-election bid
LAGOP Statement On John Bel Edwards Running For Re-Election
Photo source: starblucks.cf
Baton Rouge, LA - Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards formally announced his campaign for re-election as Louisiana's governor. Since taking office, John Bel Edwards has continually signed tax increases, crippled the state’s business climate, and followed the progressive left-wing policies which hurt working families. We cannot afford to have another term with John Bel Edwards’ regressive, anti-growth agenda. Louisiana deserves new leadership in 2019.
“After 3 years and countless sessions, Louisianans' have received nothing but empty promises and a state that places last in just about every category. Governor Edwards continues to preach about “reaching across the aisle” but has yet to stray from his party’s tax and spend agenda,” said LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich.
“As we have seen repeatedly, Gov. Edwards continues to put his Democrat progressive political agenda, friends and donors over our hard-working Louisiana voters. Our state must get away from the “Huey Long” way of doing things. John Bel Edwards used the slogan “Honor Code” in his 2015 campaign speeches saying, “he would not lie, cheat, steal or tolerate those who do” as of today, we feel this Governor has not lived up to this slogan,” said Executive Director Andrew Bautsch.
Louisianans can be confident that we will push back over the coming months to ensure Louisiana gets the leader it so desperately needs!
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry Announces Arrest of Illegal Immigrant
Photo source: KLFY
“Yet again, our office has arrested another illegal immigrant accused of exploiting children,” said Landry in his statement. “This man who should not be in our country has been picked up for possessing and distributing pornography involving juveniles under the age of 13.”
Landry claims arrests like this one "highlight the need for improved border security".
Read more: AG Jeff Landry: Suspect living illegally in Houma arrested on child pornography charges
Louisiana Continues to Lead the Way for Life
Photo source: March for Life
On the 46th anniversary of the Roe v. Wade decision that legalized abortion, Attorney General Jeff Landry announced Tuesday that a new law would go into effect next week that could further limit access to pregnancy termination procedures in Louisiana.
Starting Monday, Jan. 28, physicians who perform abortions must have permission to use nearby hospitals, called “admitting privileges,” Landry said in a news release. That’s barring any appeal to the U.S. Supreme Court of a decision last week by the 5th U.S. Circuit Court Appeals.
Read more: Law that will soon close more Louisiana abortion clinics goes into effect next week
Pro-Life Law in Louisiana Wins Another Court Battle
Admitting Privileges Law Could Be Enforced by End of Month
NEW ORLEANS, LA - Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry praised a federal court for their decision late last week to reject yet another court hearing on Act 620. General Landry’s Office has been defending the bipartisan law which requires abortion providers in Louisiana be able to admit patients at nearby hospitals in the event of complications.
“I applaud the Fifth Circuit’s decision to reject the abortion providers’ latest legal challenge to Louisiana’s pro-life and pro-woman admitting privileges law,” said General Landry. “Act 620 is common-sense measure that ensures women will receive proper care if they have complications.”
Read more: Pro-Life Law in Louisiana Wins Another Court Battle
Louisiana Represented at Annual March for Life in DC
On January 18th, the nation, once again, came together for the annual March for Life. This event has been taking place every year for over 40 years and is a reminder of the barbaric practice of killing the unborn and an overturn of Roe v. Wade. Louisiana was represented in this event, with several pastors, including Gene Mills of the Lousiana Family Forum.
Democrat Katrina Jackson, from the Pelican State, also addressed the crowd at the rally. Jackson has unequivocally been a stalwart for life in Louisiana.
All of Louisiana’s Republican congressional delegation have stood firm in the support of life.
Per Louisiana Family Forum, several pro life events will be taking place throughout the state. The dates and locations are below:
- Jan. 22, 2019: Southwest, Lake Charles
- Jan. 26, 2019: South, Baton Rouge
- Jan. 26, 2019: Northwest, Shreveport-Bossier
- Jan. 27, 2019: Northeast, West Monroe-Monroe
- Feb. 2, 2019: Cenla, Pineville-Alexandria
More information on Louisiana Right to Life can be found here.
Did You See the Connection Between Russia and Louisiana's Own John Breaux?
Photo source: Wikipedia
With the daily banter regarding Russian collusion within the Trump camp, you’d almost miss the piece by Forbes that shows a direct link between Democrat lobbying and Russia. Also buried in that piece is a connection between our own former Senator from the state of Louisiana, John Breaux, and Russia.
Lobbying for Russia is a bi-partisan activity. Gazprombank GPB, a subsidiary of Russia’s third largest bank, Gazprombank, is represented by former Sen. John Breaux, (D., La.), and former Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R., Miss.), as main lobbyists on “banking laws and regulations, including applicable sanctions.” The Breaux-Lott client is currently in the Treasury Department list of Russian firms prohibited from debt financing with U.S. banks.
Read more: No One Mentions That The Russian Trail Leads To Democratic Lobbyists
LOGA: Lawyers in Louisiana are Robbing Louisiana Taxpayers
Photo source: Louisiana Record
Gifford Briggs, president of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA), recently discussed the litigation crisis in Louisiana and what needs to be done to remedy the problem.
"The data is clear. Excessive and unnecessary litigation is robbing Louisiana taxpayers blind and diminishing economic growth throughout the state," Briggs told the Louisiana Record. "Nowhere are the effects more evident than in south Louisiana."
Read more: Louisiana Oil and Gas Association says legal climate in state is 'robbing taxpayers'
CASSIDY: Use Mexican Cartel Money to Build Wall
Photo source: BRProud
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana has suggested using asset forfeiture fund money received during enforcement on Mexican cartel activities within the United States.
"The nice thing about this is Congress does not appropriate money in the asset forfeiture fund. It's one the Executive Branch controls itself, so he could use this money without congressional approval. So it's a way forward even if Miss Pelosi has decided she is not as interested in securing the southern border.”
House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has described President Trump's effort to build a border wall as an obsession, and a waste of billions of taxpayer dollars.
Both sides have vowed to not back down.
In the words on Sen. Cassidy, ""It's the Mexican cartels paying for the wall, and that would be such sweet justice.”
Read more: Sen. Cassidy: Don't need Congress for border wall, ending shutdown
Another Huge Development for the Oil and Gas Industry in Louisiana
Photo source: The Oil and Gas Year
Despite the various attempts by our own Governor “Honor Code” to cripple the oil and gas industry here in Louisiana, BP has made the following announcement concerning their Atlantis Field off the coast:
The company made the announcement Tuesday morning regarding its $1.3 billion development in the Atlantis Field, which is about 130 miles south of the Louisiana coast. The approval comes after recent BP made breakthroughs in advanced seismic imaging and reservoir characterization that revealed an additional 400 million barrels of oil in place at the Atlantis field.
Read more: BP announces $1.3 billion development in offshore drilling off Louisiana coast
AG Jeff Landry Kicks "Honor Code" in the Backside Yet Again
Photo source: Louisiana Dept. of Justice
In yet another installment of “AG Landry kicks “Honor Code” Edwards in the backside”, the below happened in state court yesterday:
A testy dispute between former state Sen. Larry Bankston and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry over who should represent the state's contractor licensing board doesn't belong in the courts, a state appeals court ruled Thursday.
It what seems like an almost weekly occurrence, Landry has repeatedly shown the Cajun Obama that he is not above the laws of the State of Louisiana and that he is beholden to such.
Landry, a Republican, initially questioned whether Bankston, a convicted felon who was temporarily disbarred, should be allowed to work for the state. Bankston, a Democrat, is an ally of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards.
At least we have one person in State office that respects the rule of law and the Constitution of Louisiana. Sadly, the Governor of our state does not.
Read more: AG Jeff Landry, ex-state Sen. Larry Bankston dispute doesn't belong in court, appeals court says
11,000 Fewer Oil and Gas Jobs in Acadiana 2008 vs. 2018
Photo source: Shale Mag
Despite recent talk of a slight uptick in the oil and gas business in Acadiana, in the past decade nearly 11,000 jobs were lost in oil and gas in the five-parish Lafayette Metropolitan Statistical Area.
Read more: 11,000 fewer oil and gas jobs in Acadiana 2008 vs. 2018
SCALISE: Democrats Need To Stop Playing Games With America's Safety And Fund Border Security Now
Photo source: Twitter
From the day President Trump took office, Democrats have vowed to oppose him at every turn in an effort to appease their radical-left base, putting the politics of obstruction over the security of our country.
There’s been no better example of that than the current partial government shutdown.
Read more: Scalise: Democrats Need To Stop Playing Games With America's Safety And Fund Border Security Now
One Good Louisiana Success Story Right Before Christmas
Photo source: Google Play
Meaux, 50, is just five years removed from launching the food delivery startup alongside four co-founders in what he described as a windowless, “cinder-block” room in a business incubator in Lake Charles.
In that time, the company has grown at a frenetic clip, surpassing revenue projections and rolling out in city after city in Louisiana and across the Southeast. As of the beginning of December, it had more than 9,000 employees, including 400 in corporate offices, like the one on the first floor of The Daily Advertiser newspaper building in Lafayette, where he and his leadership team are based.
Last month, the company went public on the Nasdaq stock exchange after being scooped up by Texas billionaire Tilman Fertitta’s Landcadia Holdings for $308 million. For most of December, Waitr has had a market capitalization of more than $600 million, and it recently acquired a rival, Bite Squad, for $321 million, doubling Waitr's footprint.
The Fruits of a Tax and Spend Governor
Photo source: Wikipedia
Personal income in Louisiana growth slowed to a 2.3 percent rate in the third quarter of this year, a smaller gain than almost every other state, newly released figures show.
The U.S. grew personal income by 4 percent, according to the U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis. Personal income includes income from labor, owning a home or business, financial assets and transfers.
Louisiana ranked 48th in the rate of growth. Mississippi, also at 2.3 percent, ranked 49th, and Missouri, at 2.1 percent, ranked 50th.
The state added $1.19 billion in personal income during the period, including $796 million in net earnings.
Farm earnings took the biggest hit in the quarter, down $101 million. Mining, quarrying and oil and gas extraction fell by $75 million.
Read more: Louisiana personal income growth lags behind nation in third quarter
VENABLE: Opinion/Editorial - In Response to 2018-19 Judicial Hellholes Report Release on Dec. 4
Photo source: Facebook
For the ninth consecutive year, Louisiana has been named one of the nation’s Judicial Hellholes® by the American Tort Reform Foundation. The organization’s annual report spotlights the worst legal climates in the country. This year, Louisiana moved up three spots in the rankings from number eight to five. Why is it the Pelican State seems to come in near the top of every “bad” list and lands near the bottom when it comes to the “good?”
The 2018-19 report highlights the state’s hiring of contingency-fee lawyers to target energy companies and the legislature’s failure to address lawsuit abuse as key factors in Louisiana’s reputation as a “judicial hellhole.” Louisiana was also among the top 10 states for lawsuits in federal court this year claiming small businesses are violating the American with Disabilities Act. Additionally, the state’s excessive direct tort costs amounted to $1.1 billion and resulted in a loss of more than 15,000 permanent jobs in 2018.
Louisiana’s notoriety as a “judicial hellhole” should come as no surprise. Lawsuit abuse affects everyone. Consumers pay the price in increased costs for goods and services. For example, Louisiana is the second most expensive state for auto insurance, where premiums have increased significantly for four consecutive years. In 2017, the annual average premium was $1,921 in Louisiana compared to the national average of $1,427 New Orleans is the second most expensive city to insure a vehicle in the country, and Baton Rouge isn’t far behind at number five.
The number of auto accidents and claims in Louisiana is generally consistent with the other states, but bodily injury claims are nearly twice the national average. Many Louisiana drivers are uninsured or underinsured, which encourages turning to the court system for larger accident payouts. As a result, Louisianans are forced to pay much higher premiums.
The Judicial Hellholes® report also criticizes state lawmakers’ failure to pass legislation this year that would have made evidence a person was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident admissible in court. Current law does not allow this essential information to be considered when determining damage awards. This is only one example of the common-sense solutions to fight lawsuit abuse that would help make auto insurance more affordable for hardworking families.
In addition, Louisiana also has the nation’s highest jury trial threshold. Civil cases with claims valued at less than $50,000 are tried by judges, not a jury. Thirty-six states have no jury trial threshold, and of those that do, the amount is considerably lower.
Let’s hope the Louisiana Legislature can implement these and other legal reforms next year and break the state’s streak as a “judicial hellhole” before it hits the decade mark.
Lana Sonnier Venable
Executive Director
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW)
