Cajun Conservatism
Photo source: YouTube
Ricky Gonsoulin, New Iberia resident and Iberia Parish Councilman, has announced via YouTube his intentions to seek the Louisiana House Seat in District 48. The seat is currently being held by Speaker of the House, Taylor Barras, who is term limited.
Group commends lawmakers on principled stand against tax increases
Photo source: AFP Twitter
BATON ROUGE, La. - Americans for Prosperity-Louisiana (AFP-LA) State Director John Kay released the following statement Monday night after legislators adjourned from special session:
"We applaud House members for taking a principled stand against tax increases. Having no tax increases advance is a win for Louisianans.
"This should be a clear message to the governor that another legislative session that wastes taxpayer money is not welcomed. They should refuse to adjourn another session and force government to live within it's means."
As the budget battle rages in the legislature and each side seeks to gain the moral high ground in the eyes of the public, we thought it would be a good time to revisit recent history and remind everyone how we arrived at this point:
Recall that the John Bel Edwards administration’s original fiscal cliff estimate was $1.3B, which then changed to $1.1B, before morphing into $994M as recently as April of this year. Only after the non-partisan Revenue Estimating Conference reported a more realistic (but still excessive-see below) estimated deficit figure of $648M, did Governor Edwards reluctantly and belatedly adopt this number as his latest “fiscal cliff”.
As we can now clearly discern, the fiscal cliff had already miraculously diminished to less than half of the Governor’s initial claim, or rather demand, for more taxes, but even so the House Fiscal Division then most unhelpfully (from the Governor’s perspective), calculated the actual number to be no more than $495M. Our Republican legislators’ trust in this administration’s deficit figures are by now understandably at low ebb.
Bluntly speaking, the Governor and his legislative allies have not been truthful with the public about the fiscal cliff. Rather, the Governor has repeatedly and over a period of years used wildly differing numbers which he knew were inaccurate at the time, to terrorize the public and its legislative representatives into raising taxes unnecessarily. He further compounded this chicanery by loudly proclaiming the approaching end of the state hospital system and the ejection of 37,000 nursing home residents onto the streets, albeit the public was at least spared on this particular occasion from the impending specter of the demise of the LSU football program. There is of course no reason to believe that he has now abandoned this ruse, but the damage done by this Governor’s lack of honesty is plain for all to see in the shattered wreckage left by nine legislative sessions in just over two years, and the terrific toll this has taken on our legislators, both Republican and Democrat alike.
But there is much more: The Governor’s current deficit figure is based on his administration’s requests for monies for the various departments of state government, which of course includes increases that have already been factored into the fiscal cliff. We believe that rather than increasing the budget of our state’s government, which is widely acknowledged to be the most bloated and inefficient in the entire country, we could most certainly reduce most departments by a reasonable amount (2-4%, for example). These reductions would in no wise impair the functioning of our government. Increasing governmental efficiencies is after all nothing more than was promised to us by John Bel Edwards himself, along with his many other long since forgotten campaign promises, including his promise not to raise taxes.
Continuing onward (or should we say ‘downward’?), the state’s own legislative auditor has stated that the purging of the vastly expanded Medicaid rolls of those ineligible to receive such assistance (thank you again, Governor Edwards), would by itself resolve the fiscal cliff within a short time. All that would be necessary is the willingness of this administration to compare the income tax returns of Medicaid applicants and recipients with the income declared on their Medicaid application form, and tens of thousands would be removed forthwith from the rolls. Additional savings could be gained merely by eliminating the 25% income error allowance for applicants, who should full well be able to determine their true income to within a few percent.
As the tax battle unfolded on the Senate side, HB 27 by Rep. Lance Harris (R, Alexandria), an attempt at compromise which sought to raise $365M by raising sales taxes 1/3 of a cent while reducing government spending, received rough treatment at the hands of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee chaired by Rep. J. P. Morrell (D, New Orleans). More properly, one should say that the original bill had already been hijacked by Democrats, who immediately added over $300M in additional taxes, which would essentially grant Governor Edwards demand for $648M in taxes if it were to become law. So much for Republicans’ attempt at compromise!
Which leads us to the present. The next few days will determine not just the size of the tax increase to be borne by our tax-paying citizenry, but also the direction of our state government and thus the future of all Louisianians. At issue are fundamental questions: Whether we will demand that our government live within its means, or allow it to grow ever larger and less accountable to the people? And whether Louisiana will make an attempt to become competitive with other states, or continue to lose business, wealth, and population to our neighbors?
Let us hope that all of our Republican legislators, both senators and representatives alike, join in holding the line on taxes and supporting Rep. Harris’ original bill, or something very much like it. There is too much at stake to allow for anything less.
Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana
Photo source: Grow Louisiana Coalition
When we grow business investment and bring new jobs here, we grow Louisiana. Attracting new projects and investments in our state often relies on our parish and state governments encouraging capital investment and job-creating activities.
For decades, the Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) has been Louisiana’s most important economic development tool. After nearly two years of uncertainty and confusion, the state’s economic development agency has proposed new guidelines that could be the first step in the right direction.
For more than 4 years, we have stood up for jobs in Louisiana. Our state’s leaders need to hear our voice again.
Click here to see and review the proposed rules from the State of Louisiana.
Photo source: The Daily Caller
The Iron Lady, Margaret Thatcher, famously said: “In order to be considered truly free, countries must also have a deep love of liberty and an abiding respect for the rule of law.” Fortunately for the people of our nation, President Donald Trump has heeded these words of wisdom.
Unlike his predecessor, whose blatant disregard for the rule of law on immigration exacerbated the proliferation of sanctuary cities, President Trump and his administration have honored their oaths to enforce our immigration laws and protect our borders.
In keeping with this promise, Attorney General Jeff Sessions gave notice to law enforcement agencies receiving certain grant dollars that they must comply with federal law and with two conditions aimed at increasing the government’s ability to locate and deport criminal aliens preying on American citizens.
These conditions are in accord with established federal jurisprudence that “the Tenth Amendment does not give States and their subdivisions an untrammeled right to forbid all voluntary cooperation by state or local officials with particular federal programs,” especially in the information sharing context.
Requiring agencies to notify the Department of Homeland Security of the scheduled release dates of criminal aliens wanted by DHS and to allow federal immigration officers on their premises in order to inquire about an individual’s right to remain are common-sense public safety measures.
In July 2016, the Department of Justice Inspector General released a memorandum noting that many jurisdictions receiving federal grant dollars were in violation of the law by withholding immigration information from federal officials. Shortly thereafter, the Department of Justice mandated a particular condition that jurisdictions offer proof that they were in compliance with federal law regarding information sharing.
Attorney General Sessions simply sustained that policy by including narrowly-tailored conditions to ensure these grant dollars are not given to state and local jurisdictions which frustrate federal immigration enforcement. However, in order to score political points, some of our nation’s largest cities decided to obstruct. And the City of Chicago took their prioritization of protecting illegal immigrants over stopping crime to the courtroom.
Chicago sued the Department of Justice, and the liberal district court and Seventh Circuit Court of Appeals decided that Attorney General Sessions lacked the authority to impose these two conditions. While their disrespect for the Constitution was egregious enough, their further abuse of the judicial process is causing even more widespread harm.
The nationwide injunction issued by federal courts means that hundreds of millions of grant dollars are being withheld from law enforcement agencies which comply willingly with immigration laws. Because of its nationwide scope, the injunction purports to settle the law for the entire United States. This aggrandizement of power deprives other courts the opportunity to decide the issue for themselves and thereby frustrates the development of law.
The nationwide injunction has essentially blocked the Department of Justice from issuing any funding from the Edward Byrne Memorial Justice Assistance Grant (Byrne JAG) Program. This critical program finances several law enforcement measures such as victim assistance, crisis intervention, body cameras, Tasers and officer overtime pay. The withholding of its funds restrict activities or, in some cases, cause operations to cease entirely.
A recent Harvard-Harris Poll found that Americans strongly support the Trump administration’s actions to reverse the policies of sanctuary jurisdictions. The survey found 80 percent of voters agreed that state and local authorities should cooperate with and report illegal immigrants to federal authorities.
So I join not only the overwhelming majority of American voters, but also the over 3,000 sheriff offices across our country in support of the USDOJ’s position to uphold the rule of law.
Whatever the result of the Chicago action, the court’s relief should not be allowed to affect thousands of others nationwide. Chicago should not hold hostage law enforcement who agree with the conditions and uphold the rule of law.
Jeff Landry is the attorney general of the state of Louisiana. He previously served as a member of Louisiana’s delegation to U.S. House of Representatives.
“Our Louisiana residents do not want higher income taxes or higher sales taxes. They want good, honest government, a government that can live within its means. The Governor has taken every opportunity to raise taxes, and continues to use scare tactics to bend the legislature to his will.”
“Half of America heard Yanni, the other heard Laurel. I think our governor heard taxes!”
Photo source: KATC
This is not leadership. This is pandering to the lowest denominator. First, it was college football. That didn't work. Next it was sending out letters to elderly in the nursing facilities threatening eviction. That didn't work. Let's go after the college kids now.
Honor Code my ass.
Cut spending and live within your mean like everyone else in this state has to do in times of crisis.
2109 can't come soon enough to get rid of this turd.
Read more: Gov. Edwards in Lafayette to address upcoming special session
Photo source: The Advertiser
Last week, Attorney General Jeff Landry took the fight against the Opioid crisis to the front lines. Thanks to recent legislation authored by Sen. Fred Mills and a partnership between the Attorney Generals office and British pharmaceutical company Mallinckrodt, hospice providers will have the authority and the tool necessary to dispose of deceased patients opioids.
Mallinckrodt has donated 30,000 bags that, once an opioid is placed into the environmentally safe, drug-deactivating pouches, it becomes house-hold waste. This technology, and the authority for hospice professionals to utilize it is a huge step in combating the Opioid epidemic that plagues Louisiana. 60% of all Opioid addictions begin by using someone else's prescription.
Louisiana currently has more Opioid prescriptions than it does residents.Thanks to the leadership of AG Jeff Landry, Louisiana is making incredible strides to change the Opioid epidemics narrative.
For more information on this important initiative, check out this story from KATC.
Through an email announcement and YouTube video, Louisiana State Representative Julie Stokes has announced her candidacy for the open Secretary of State position in Baton Rouge:
“With the blessings and encouragement of family, friends, constituents, and doctors, I am announcing my candidacy to become our next Secretary of State. I have tremendous respect for the proud history of this office, its role in protecting the integrity of our election system, and the service it provides to entrepreneurs. I will strive to improve upon what I can, remove the obstacles that drag the office back, restore morale across the entire department, and ensure that our elections are fair, honest, secure, and carried out with professionalism. Being a CPA, small business owner, and reform-minded legislator, I am prepared for this challenge and expect to take this office to new heights for the citizens of Louisiana.” - State Representative Julie Stokes (R-Louisiana)
Photo source: Twitter
As we’ve reported on quite a bit, Gov. Honor Code and his trial attorney band of brothers have had a vendetta against the oil and gas industry in this state, being bound and determined to milk this vital life blood in this state to the last drop.
Now, the latest to turn away from the Pelican State because of our legal atmosphere is the Bassmaster fishing tournament, which contributes millions in revenue.
“For the foreseeable future, we can’t have a level playing field there because of the access problems,” said BASS Conservation Director Gene Gilliland. “Louisiana just has some very peculiar laws that don’t mesh well with tournaments and that are going to deter a lot of recreational fishermen as well. Who knows how much they’ll lose?”
But, if you listen to the mainstream media here in Louisiana, what we have is a moderate Democrat leading this state.
Don’t blame me though. I voted for Vitter.
Read more: Bassmaster tournaments seek calmer waters as La. trial lawyers spoil ‘sportsmen’s paradise’
Photo source: nola.com
The latest piece out regarding the soon to be sworn in mayor of New Orleans is a scathing one regarding the confidentiality of LaToya Cantrell’s transition into the office.
As is often the case when elected officials slip behind a curtain of secrecy, Cantrell sought to spin the confidentiality agreements as a way to actually encourage openness.
"It's not to hide anything; it's to give people the opportunity to talk freely and openly," Karen Carvin, a spokeswoman for the Cantrell campaign, said at the time. "The whole idea is to allow people the freedom to be brutally honest about their assessment of various departments and each area they're looking at. They are going to be having people interview people who have contracts with the city, and they want them to feel free to be open and transparent about their view of where things stand."
Going from a clown show of a mayor like Mitch Landrieu to this train wreck should be entertaining to say the least. The city deserves so much better, yet elect the worse.
Read more: What does LaToya Cantrell have to hide? | Opinion
Photo source: Twitter
Don’t blame me. I voted for Vitter.
Here is the latest in John Bel Edwards’ and his cronies scheme to milk the oil and gas industry for billions.
But shakedowns aren't usually grounded in compelling evidence, and Louisiana appears to view liberal New York City and San Francisco as models to follow. A network of trial lawyers recently filed 42 lawsuits for six parishes alleging oil and gas companies are responsible for the state's coastal erosion and seeking damages.
Read more: Louisiana Follows Liberal New York City's Lead In Going After Oil Companies
Photo source: Breitbart
Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry suggests Governor John Bel Edwards (D) is betraying previous commitments to the Second Amendment.
Landry supported a resolution to block Bank of America and Citibank from doing business with the state of Louisiana after both financial institutions adopted anti-gun policies.
Read more: Louisiana AG Suggests Gov. Edwards Betraying Commitment to Second Amendment
The Louisiana House has passed its proposed budget for the 2018-19 fiscal year. Traditionally known as House Bill 1 (or HB1), the bill is now on its way to the Louisiana Senate. This action is the Constitutionally mandated first step in the legislative process of passing a final budget, one that we can only hope will spend money which is actually available and force state government to live within its means.
All and sundry know full well that HB1 will be revised in the Senate and the final version must be approved by both chambers before it can be sent to the Governor for action. Yet John Bel Edwards immediately assailed the House budget for being so miserly that it would (allegedly) force the shutdown of hospitals, the cancellation of home care programs, and cause irretrievable damage to higher education in Louisiana. (At this point we should remind our readers that this is the same Governor who until a few short days ago maintained that the “fiscal cliff” was far higher than it actually was, in order to alarm the voting public and justify a massive and as it turns out, largely unnecessary tax increase.) He went on to unhelpfully proclaim that the Senate could not fix the budget presented by the House, preferring to sabotage HB1 so that the difficult battle to pass a budget could be fought all over again in the upcoming special session.
Indeed, the Governor is in an unbecoming hurry to entirely shut down this regular session of the legislature, because state law forbids the raising of taxes in regular sessions in even numbered years. Although he evaded this law in 2016 and will do so once again in 2018 by calling special sessions wherein taxes can be raised, in the meantime any legislature which cannot raise taxes is obviously of no use to him whatsoever. He has long since reneged on his explicit and frequently repeated campaign promises to the people of Louisiana that he would not raise their taxes but would cut wasteful government spending.
The remaining weeks of this regular session could be gainfully utilized in cutting government waste, prioritizing spending cuts to make them more palatable and effective, and revisiting the hundreds of statutory dedications currently exempt from the budget. These actions would further reduce the fiscal cliff and minimize the need for new taxes, but efficient and responsible government is not what John Bel Edwards is all about.
What certainly could be accomplished in this regular session is the passing of a budget by the Louisiana legislature, exactly as was intended by the framers of our Constitution. The legislature could then have a budget to work from and could begin to identify any specific areas which required fiscal adjustments, without revisiting the difficult and painful budgeting process all over again. We hope that our entire Republican delegation in the legislature can work towards this goal, along with the near extinct breed of fiscally responsible Democrats which may still occasionally be found within the Capitol’s environs.
Louis Gurvich, Chairman - Republican Party of Louisiana
Photo source: CNN
Americans are well aware and focused on the need to protect our Southern border. But little thought has been given to the need to protect the border with Canada.
Their citizens are seen as educated, polite, and mostly English-speaking. Their poorest citizens aren't marching defiantly toward our border in a giant invasion of “caravans" aided and abetted by their national government. But that doesn't mean the border to our north can't pose its own specific type of deadly risk.
An enormous, robust, and illegal opioid drug supply is streaming across our border with Canada, killing and poisoning tens of thousands of our citizens each year. Just last month, Canadian authorities busted a huge smuggling ring headquartered in Calgary that was producing an astonishing amount of counterfeit pharmaceutical drugs — 120,000 pills a day. That’s nearly 160 million pills a year from just one source!
Read more: Death by Canadian fentanyl: Northern border security is no joke, either
The following information was provided by Louisiana Right to Life:
Photo source: Louisiana Right to Life
Join us April 4 for Pro-Life Day at the Capitol. There will be pro-life agency booths in the Capitol Rotunda and pro-life testimony in committee, and it’s a great time for you to interact with your legislators from home.
Testimony on the Adoption Option Act, authored by Rep. Rick Edmonds and sponsored by Louisiana Right to Life, is scheduled for the Health and Welfare Committee, which begins at 9 a.m. in Committee Room 5. David Scotton, the subject of the adoption documentary I Lived on Parker Avenue, and others will be testifying. The committee room will fill up, so it is recommended you arrive early to get a seat.
Beginning at 1 p.m., the pro-life leadership will be recognized on the floors of both the House and Senate, and a special “Pro-Life Birthday Cake” will be served in the Rotunda.
Also in the afternoon (time TBA), Attorney General Jeff Landry will meet with pro-lifers and join in for a photo on the steps of the Capitol.
A Notice of Public Meeting was issued by the Iberia Parish Council yesterday in regards to a meeting scheduled to take place for levying additional millages for the parish. The meeting, scheduled for May 9, 2018, intends to "consider levying additional or increased millage rates without further voter approval." In essence, we are looking at getting stuck with more taxes, regardless of what the citizens of Iberia Parish think.
First thing that came to mind when I read this crap was that money pit called the "Isle of Iberia" formally named "Cajun RVera." The Parish, in their infinite wisdom, decided to go full idiot and support the building of an RV park, trying to live up to the likes of Cajun Palms. However, what turned out to be nothing more than a pipe dream and probably filled up a few pockets, we were stuck with millions in debt.
It's now more apparent than ever to get rid of the entire Council and put into place fiscally educated representation. These clowns that we have running this Parish is intent on having more of an exodus to cities like Broussard and Youngsville.
