JBE's Chinese Investment Goes Down the Drain

Photo source: Inside Sources

Cajun Conservatism recently pointed out that our governor decided to do business with China in this post.  Now, Congressman Peter King (R-NY) addressed, in a recent House Intel Committee meeting, that a Chinese company, Wanhua Chemical, who John Bel Edwards gave state taxpayer money to, is reconsidering their investment in Louisiana.  As indicated in this piece, it is troubling to have an "economic enemy", as President Trump has called China, acquiring American technology.

China aggressively seeks to acquire American technology and intellectual property through multiple vectors including: physical and cyber theft, forced technology transfers, evading United States export controls, export restraints on raw materials, and investments in more than 600 high-technology assets in the United States worth close to $20 billion.

Secondly, this is a clear indication of the trade imbalance that remains between the US and China.  The main reason that this project was cancelled was because of labor and material costs.  The citizens of Louisiana should be rightly concerned about a plant being built with Chinese material and being fabricated by Chinese labor.

Fake News on the Bayou

Photo source: FreedomWorks

While states neighboring Louisiana and other competing states are enacting pro-growth tax reform to make their states more attractive destinations for the expected uptick in global capital flows into the U.S., Gov. Edwards is busying implementing fiscal policies that make Louisiana less attractive to investors and site selectors. Despite all of this bad news, one can forgive folks in Louisiana for not being aware of what an outlier the Pelican State has become, seeing as those who report on state government in Baton Rouge have a habit of obscuring basic facts, such as whether lawmakers are raising or cutting tax rates.

Read more: Fake News On The Bayou: How One Governor's Tax Hike Becomes A Tax Cut

Police Department Highlights Early Successes

Early successes by the New Iberia Police Department are highlighted in the below video report.

LANDRY: In Combating Government Mismanagement and Medicaid, Trust But Verify

Photo source: LA AG Office

Louisiana State Auditor Darryl Purpera said it best: "We've got a mess right now." And indeed we do. Recent Louisiana Legislative Auditor findings were quite scathing when it comes to Governor Edwards teams ability to manage the Department of Health. The Legislative Auditor exposes carelessness with tax payers dollars through lack of oversight, lazy record keeping and a whole host of other infractions of the $12 billion dollar program. 

Attorney General Jeff Landry has long been a vocal advocate for addressing the Medicaid problems and rooting out fraud, waste, and abuse in the program. During the 2018 regular legislative session AG Landry worked with conservative lawmakers to introduce legislation that would have allowed the AGs office to investigate Medicaid recipients who falsified information on their Medicaid applications. This effort was killed by cronies of the Edwards administration when they accused these lawmakers of waging war on the poor. Now that the legislative auditors report has been released, the administration can not longer hide behind their facades.

In an recent Hayride article, Attorney General Landry discusses the recent audit findings. Thank you General Landry for pledging to continue the fight in protecting Louisiana taxpayers and holding the administration accountable!

Read the full article HERE.

Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch Names Lana Sonnier Venable as Executive Director

Baton Rouge, LA — Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) has announced that Lana Sonnier Venable will become its next Executive Director. LLAW is a local non-partisan, nonprofit, citizen watchdog group dedicated to stopping lawsuit abuse that hurts Louisiana’s families and threatens local businesses and jobs. Venable will be responsible for conducting campaigns to raise awareness about the costs and consequences of lawsuit abuse and helping pass legislation to improve the state’s legal climate.

A veteran public affairs professional, Venable is an LSU graduate bringing 25 years of experience to LLAW, most recently as ExxonMobil public and government affairs advisor in Baton Rouge. During her 11 years in this role, she worked in in the areas of media relations, community outreach, government relations and issues management. Her previous experience includes serving as Louisiana Economic Development Press Secretary following Hurricane Katrina, as well as government relations roles with American Cancer Society and American Heart Association. She also held positions in the non-profit sector in Washington, D.C. and Atlanta.

Venable replaces Melissa Landry, who has led the organization since 2009.

“Lana is a strategic thinker and skilled communicator with a proven track record of cultivating effective relationships with community and business leaders, as well as policy makers. I cannot think of a better person to take over and lead LLAW at this critical time,” said Landry, who is returning to the private sector.

“I believe in LLAW’s mission and look forward to engaging with stakeholders at all levels to continue the progress made toward meaningful tort reform in Louisiana. Our state’s future depends on our ability to retain and attract diverse employers that provide opportunities for all Louisianans and grow our economy. The trial bar should not be a cottage industry in Louisiana,” said Venable.

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About Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch:

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. Learn more at www.llaw.org.

Shell's Latest GOM Deepwater Project Won't Be Built in the US

Photo source: PR Newswire

Shell's latest deepwater project, Vito, will be approximately 150 miles southwest of New Orleans.  However, none of the construction of that project was awarded to Louisiana, or any other state, for that matter.  Shell has awarded the construction contract to a fabricator overseas.

Sembcorp Marine Rigs & Floaters Pte. Ltd., a wholly owned subsidiary of Sembcorp Marine Ltd., is headquartered in Singapore.  As opposed to previous construction projects which were, at least, partially constructed by South Louisiana fabricators, this one will not be.

As a result of the decision to have this project done overseas, the Louisiana Legislature, during the recent regular session, issued the following proclamation:

"Senate of the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby memorialize Congress and the Louisiana delegation to the United States Congress to take such actions as necessary to encourage that the design and construction of the Vito development in the Gulf of Mexico occur in Louisiana."

Louisiana businesses should be rightfully upset that Shell has decided to turn their back to them in the construction of this platform.  The state's vital role in the oil and gas industry and the dependence on the state for fueling the nation should not be overlooked.

Attorney General Landry Endorses Congressman Higgins for Re-Election

Photo source: Twitter

LAFAYETTE, LA - Today, Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry is officially endorsing Congressman Clay Higgins for re-election to the United States House of Representatives.

“Congressman Higgins has used his time in office to lower our taxes, protect our nation, and put America first,” said Jeff Landry. “He has worked together with President Trump to achieve positive results for Acadiana families, and I am confident he will continue to fight tirelessly for us.”

“From Abbeville to Crowley and Lake Charles to Morgan City - the people of Southwest Louisiana are hard-working, God-fearing, patriotic Americans just like Clay,” explained Landry. “We are fortunate to have Clay's experience, leadership, and passion as he represents us in Washington.”

“I join President Trump in support of Congressman Higgins” added the Attorney General. “I look forward to casting my ballot to keep Clay in Congress, and I encourage all my neighbors in the Third District to do the same.”

Kennedy on Liberal Assault on Conservatives and Use of Taxpayer Money

The LAGOP Endorses Clay Higgins for Congress

Photo source: Facebook 

The LAGOP Endorses Clay Higgins for CongressThe Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana, Friday, announced its official endorsement of Clay Higgins for Louisiana's third congressional district.

“No one is more conservative and more reflective of the citizens that live in the third congressional district than Congressman Clay Higgins,” Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Louis Gurvich said. “President Donald Trump, the Executive Committee of the LAGOP, and I encourage all conservatives in the third congressional district to vote for Clay Higgins in the upcoming midterm election.”

Clay Higgins is a true 'Cajun conservative,' he believes in a strong national defense, and he's working around the clock to make sure that our borders are impenetrable. He also has a no-nonsense attitude towards government waste and unconstitutional federal overreach.

Rep. Higgins is still just as much of the Acadian he was back when he started his first term. Rep. Higgins makes it very clear to anyone he speaks with that he does not take part in the toxic D.C. culture. "I don't live in D.C.," he often proclaims, "I may from time to time sleep in D.C., but I live in Acadiana."

One of Rep. Higgins core beliefs is that he was sent to D.C. to represent his constituents and not special interest lobbyists. Constituents of the third congressional district should feel confident that Rep. Higgins will be one of the few in Congress who are fighting to drain the swamp in D.C. once and for all.

In 1979 Clay Higgins enlisted into the Louisiana National Guard where he reached the rank of Staff Sergeant. Later in life, he became an officer of the law in St. Landry Parish, which is where he became known as 'America's toughest cop, Captain Clay Higgins.' He is a man of service, no doubt about it.

Rep. Higgins' voting record is one of a reliable conservative, he voted to repeal Obamacare, voted for president Trump's tax cuts, and has been a faithful defender of our constitution. So we are encouraging you to join us this midterm election and re-elect Clay Higgins to represent Louisiana's third congressional district.

LANDRY: Despite Media’s ‘Shameful Propaganda Effort,’ Congress Must Stop Illegal Immigration

Photo source: Breitbart

 “There are facts and there is hyperbole; and the mainstream media has recently chosen to go with full-blown hyperbole by deceptively showing videos of unaccompanied minors as though they were children separated from their parents after illegally crossing the border together. They have repeatedly played videos edited for dramatic effect and audio yet to be authenticated as infallible. This propaganda effort by the mainstream media is shameful.”

Read more:  Jeff Landry: Despite Media’s ‘Shameful Propaganda Effort,’ Congress Must Stop Illegal Immigration

Why Are Louisiana Taxpayers Subsidizing America’s “Economic Enemy,” The People’s Republic of China?

Photo source: Inside Sources  

If Donald Trump is having a trade war with China, word has yet to reach Louisiana.

At the same time the Trump administration is calling China “an economic enemy” and their business practices a threat to “the economic and national security of the U.S.,” Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards (D) has identified the People’s Republic as his state’s “primary foreign direct investment” partner.

Read more: Why Are Louisiana Taxpayers Subsidizing America’s “Economic Enemy,” The People’s Republic of China?

Jeff Landry Named President of National AGs

Photo source: KLFY 

Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry has been elected president of the National Association of Attorneys General at the group's summer meeting in Portland, Ore.

Landry, a Republican, said his "President's Initiative" will focus on emergency and crisis management.

Read more:  Jeff Landry Named President of National AGs

Louisiana Firm Wants to Make Safety More Fashionable

As a safety professional in my daily capacity and a son of Louisiana, I found this piece to be quite interesting. It is refreshing to see Louisiana citizens succeeding in their entrepreneurial endeavors and this company, which is woman-owned, makes it all the more special.

Photo source: Rigzone

 You likely won’t see Jaime Glas’ apparel designs featured on the catwalks of Milan, Paris or New York. You might, however, see them hard at work near a different kind of catwalk in places such as the Gulf of Mexico and the Permian Basin or at petrochemical facilities on the U.S. Gulf Coast.

Glas, a petroleum engineer-turned-entrepreneur, is on a mission: to make flame-resistant clothing (FRC) safer and more comfortable – not to mention more stylish – for women in the field.

Read more:  Louisiana Firm Wants to Make Safety More Fashionable

Trump Endorses Clay Higgins' Re-election for 3rd Congressional Seat

Photo source: Clay Higgins

“We are pleased to announce our support for Rep. Clay Higgins in his race for reelection to the 3rd District of Louisiana today following a personal endorsement by President Trump. Clay Higgins is a law and order Congressman who has been a great supporter of President Trump, especially the President’s historic tax cuts that have created new jobs and growth for the people of the 3rd District of Louisiana.”

Read more: TRUMP ENDORSES CLAY HIGGINS FOR CONGRESSIONAL RE-ELECTION

Graves’ Food Stamp Reform Ideas Head to the US Senate

Photo source: Wikipedia

Washington, DC – Substantial reforms to the Food Stamp Program that Congressman Garret Graves (South Louisiana) introduced last year through the Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program (SNAP) Reform Act of 2017 advanced in the U.S. House of Representatives today as provisions of the 2018 Farm Bill. With more than 100 cosponsors, support for the SNAP Reform Act amounted to a groundswell of Members who advocated alongside Graves to ensure the legislation’s core reform principles to strengthen work requirements for SNAP recipients were represented in this year’s Farm Bill. 

“Passage of this bill is a win for our farmers and food producers and their ability to continue getting food to the table, and these critical reforms are a win for taxpayers. Moving away from SNAP as a lifestyle and back towards its intended, temporary hand-up by requiring a more proactive approach to work is going to help more people get back on their feet more quickly while getting spending on the program under control,” said Graves. “It’s just wrong that hardworking Americans are having to continue spending a trillion dollars a year through countless poverty programs without much to show for it: we have more people in poverty across the country today than when many of those same programs first started. We have further to go on strengthening these reforms but today is a critical first step.”

The Farm Bill provides certainty for farmers, crop insurers and food manufacturers, authorizing various agriculture and nutrition program for five years. 

Graves added: “No one on either side of the SNAP trap is honestly happy with the current system. Many able-bodied people who are on the program end up frustrated and stuck on its built-in cycle of poverty with no exit ramps. And taxpayers are frustrated about being on the hook for program costs that have basically tripled since the year 2000. We can do more for people; this bill does – by helping connect the unemployed with job opportunities or job skills to reintegrate them into the workforce.”

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What Everyone With Common Sense Wants to Say About Immigration

Photo source: Facebook

Graham Allen of CRTV knocks it out of the park with his take on the illegal immigration and child separation issue going on today on the border.

Dear America,

I’m just gonna leave this one here....

Someone had to say it!

-Graham

Citizens for Louisiana Job Creators: AG Landry Locks Up Illegal Immigrant

Photo source: Facebook  

Another illegal immigrant engaged in illegal activity. Wilfred Antonio Ramos-Medoza of Jefferson, Louisiana was arrested for his involvement in a scheme of using counterfeit parts to repair airbags, and in one instance, reinserted a used airbag and covered it up with a counterfeit airbag cover.

Working with President Trump's team to take Illegal's off the streets, Attorney General Jeff Landry and the Federal Homeland Security Investigators arrested Ramos-Medoza and booked him with the Illegal Use of Counterfeit Trademark.

Attorney General Jeff Landry has repeatedly called for laws to be enacted that would help protect Louisiana's citizens from illegal aliens and this is just one more example of why these laws are desperately needed.

Thank you General Landry for continuing to protect the citizens of Louisiana against crime and fighting to keep illegals off our streets.

Sen. John Kennedy Call For Resignation Of Gov. John Bel Edwards

Photo source: KPEL

"I just don't think (Edwards) can run the government, and if he can't he needs to step down and let Nungesser take a shot," Kennedy said during an interview this week on KPEL NewsTalk radio in Acadiana.

Sen. John Kennedy on Trump Meeting with Kim Jong Un

Kim Jong Un did not come to the table out of the goodness of his heart. He came to the table because he understands that for the first time in a long time, America means what it says and that a military option is on the table. I would like to thank President Donald J. Trump today, on behalf of all Americans who believe in peace, for the successful start to what I hope is a successful relationship with North Korea.

Cassidy Statement on Louisiana Projects

 "These navigation and flood mitigation projects are important to Louisiana's economy and families," said Dr. Cassidy. "This plan funds flood mitigation projects like the next phase of the Comite River Diversion and ongoing waterway protection efforts. I continue to work with local and state officials to make these projects happen."

Read more:  Cassidy Statement on Louisiana Projects