Photo source: Fox News
In a recent appearance on Fox News, Congressman Steve Scalise emphasized the importance of funding the border wall, a key component of President Trump’s election campaign.
Americans for Tax Reform Urges Senate to Reject Cotton/Kennedy Amendments to First Step Act
Photo source: Twitter
“The costs, human and monetary, are too high to not pass the bill. Hugely long sentences for non-violent offenders ruin lives and families and drain taxpayer dollars. Senators should wholeheartedly support the FIRST STEP Act so it becomes law before the end of 2018.
This is the “first step” in bringing reform to a broken, expensive system. The reform will increase public safety by using proven methods to reduce recidivism, effectively driving down the prevalence and cost of crime for generations to come.”
Read more: ATR Urges Senate to Reject Cotton/Kennedy Amendments to First Step Act
STEVE SCALISE'S MESSAGE FOR DEMOCRATS ON BORDER WALL FUNDING
Economists Agree: Free Markets Bring Down Prices
Photo source: Redstate
As the economists note, instituting price caps skews the market and “leads to shortages, squeezes the cost bubble toward some other portion of the economy, and imposes a deadweight cost on society.”
In laymen’s terms: these price controls will restrict patient access to needed drugs and reduce drug makers’ ability to invest in the research and development of new medicines.
Drug-Price Controls Can Be Injurious to Your Health
Photo source: National Review
President Trump is right to try to lower drug prices here at home. It is a travesty that other nations get access to U.S. innovation at cut-rate prices — much lower than what Americans pay. For example, the Health and Human Services Department reports that a senior who receives an eye medicine that currently costs Medicare $1,800 a month is charged only $300 a month in many other nations. A popular chemotherapy drug costs Medicare $4,700 for each treatment here in the U.S. but only $1,100 in other nations. HHS estimates that Americans pay “180 percent of what other countries pay for physician-administered drugs.” Something is seriously wrong here.
Read more: Drug-Price Controls Can Be Injurious to Your Health
Americans for Tax Reform: Conservatives Oppose HHS International Pricing Index for Medicare Part B Drugs
Photo source: Twitter
In a letter to the Department of Health and Human Services, ATR and 56 other conservative groups and activists expressed opposition to HHS’s “International Pricing Index” (IPI) payment model for drugs administered under Medicare Part B.
Read more: Conservatives Oppose HHS International Pricing Index for Medicare Part B Drugs
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)
AMERICAN TORT REFORM: Louisiana Named No. 5 Judicial Hellhole in the Country
Governor Edwards’ litigious attacks against oil and gas industry contribute to poor legal climate
Photo source: Judicial Hellholes
Dec. 4, 2018 (WASHINGTON) – Today, the American Tort Reform Foundation released its annual Judicial Hellholes report and named Louisiana as the No. 5 Judicial Hellhole in the country.
Louisiana earned its way into the Top 5 through the state’s hiring of contingency-fee lawyers to target energy companies and the legislature’s failure to address lawsuit abuse.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, a former trial lawyer, came into office and quickly hired campaign donors and trial lawyer colleagues to represent the state in more than 40 lawsuits against energy companies. Governor Edwards filed the lawsuits after the companies would not comply with his ultimatum demanding that they spend billions of dollars restoring the eroding coastline of the Pelican State.
“The evidence that oil and gas exploration is solely to blame for coastal erosion simply does not exist,” American Tort Reform Association President Tiger Joyce said. “These lawsuits have done nothing to solve the issue but instead only created unnecessary job loss for Louisianans.”
Louisiana posted the worst economic performance in the country in 2017 according to the federal Bureau of Economic Analysis, and was one of just three states in which the economy shrank.
Governor Edwards is not the only Louisianan needlessly filing lawsuits. The state also is a hotbed for lawsuits claiming small businesses are in violation of the Americans with Disabilities Act. The claims often involve serial plaintiffs and are filed without giving notice to the business owner, denying them the opportunity to address the issue outside of court.
“Lawsuits like these against small mom-and-pop businesses are wrong,” Joyce said. “These are folks who don’t have access to full-fledged corporate legal teams. They are good people who want to serve their customers, but instead, trial lawyers are taking them to court and putting small business owners through the ringer.”
As of June, Louisiana was among the Top 10 states for these types of lawsuits in federal court in 2018. The problems don’t end with frivolous lawsuits – Louisiana also has the second-most expensive auto insurance rates in the country. Fifty-five percent of Louisianans drive uninsured or underinsured, encouraging drivers to turn to the courts for larger payouts when accidents occur. Trial lawyers then work behind the scenes to drive up payout costs on even the most minor fender benders, which then forces the insurance companies to increase rates year after year.
Louisiana’s legislature had the opportunity to pass legislation addressing these litigation abuses, which would have made evidence that a person was not wearing a seatbelt at the time of an accident admissible in court. The current law in Louisiana does not allow the jury to consider this evidence when determining damage awards. The bill passed the House but died in the Senate.
“Louisiana finds itself in a bad cycle of trial lawyers driving up insurance costs, drivers then being unable to afford the necessary auto insurance, and then going to court to seek payouts,” Joyce said. “Revisiting and passing this commonsense piece of legislation would be a step in the right direction to address Louisiana’s high insurance rates and help make auto insurance more affordable for hardworking Louisianans.”
A recent report states that excessive tort costs in Louisiana resulted in a loss of more than 15,000 permanent jobs as of 2018 in addition to $1.1 billion in annual direct costs.
The full ranking of the nation’s Judicial Hellholes are:
California
Florida
New York City
St. Louis
Louisiana
Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
New Jersey Legislature
Madison and St. Clair Counties, Ill.
Twin Cities, Minn.
To view the full report and read further updates throughout the year, visit JudicialHellholes.org.
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About the American Tort Reform Association (ATRA): The American Tort Reform Association, based in Washington, D.C., is the only national organization dedicated exclusively to tort and liability reform through public education and the enactment of legislation. Its members include nonprofit organizations and small and large companies, as well as trade, business and professional associations from the state and national level. The American Tort Reform Foundation is a sister organization dedicated primarily to research and public education.
LANDRY: Plenty of work to do
Photo source: Twitter
In the three decades since working those fields, Landry has used that work ethic to help himself achieve a lifetime of goals. Landry graduated from college, worked as a sheriff’s deputy, served in the Louisiana Army National Guard, received his law degree and passed the bar, opened his own business, served in the United State Congress and was elected as Louisiana’s Attorney General.
Read more: Plenty of work to do
COASTAL LAWSUITS MOVING STATE IN WRONG DIRECTION, LOUISIANA LAWSUIT ABUSE WATCH SAYS
Photo source: Cajun Conservatism
“These kind of lawsuits will only continue to move Louisiana in the wrong direction and further weaken the state’s struggling economy, which has lost thousands of jobs and major manufacturing projects in recent years,” Venable said.
Read more: COASTAL LAWSUITS MOVING STATE IN WRONG DIRECTION, LOUISIANA LAWSUIT ABUSE WATCH SAYS
The Daily Caller Scorches Acosta over "Migrant Claim"
Remember when Jim Acosta made a complete ass off himself and, as a result, has his White House Press credentials revoked? Where, here is a reminder of Acosta claiming that these “migrants” were not invaders and would not be jumping walls.
The overlaid video footage by Benny Johnson of The Daily Caller is pure gold.
Finally, The Most Honest Democrat Commercial on the Internet
OPINION: We Are Now Entering the Louisiana 2019 Election Cycle
While most of the nation is breathing a sigh of relief that the federal elections are over, for now, Louisiana politicos woke up on November 7th with one reality: the race for Governor starts now. That's right folks, we are officially in the 2019 electoral cycle. Sure, pieces of this puzzle started coming together months ago, but now plans and preparations, for what will no doubt be a highly contested governor's race, will be sent into over drive.
The race for Louisiana's top job will quickly take shape over the next few weeks. Governor Edwards will officially announce his intent to seek re-election, Baton Rouge businessman Eddie Rispone will officially kick off his campaign, and Senator John Kennedy will make a final decision before the end of the month.
With his approval rating currently sitting in the area of 40%, JBE will stop at nothing to avoid a repeat of Governor Blanco's "one and done" experience. He will pull out all the stops to ignite his base and reaffirm his position with the trial lawyers that helped secure the 4th floor of the state capitol for him in 2015. He will continue to cozy up to his union cronies, push for teacher pay raises, and sacrifice the abundance of Louisiana's natural resources by way of destroying our economy to satisfy the leftist, liberal activist, like General Honore's GreenARMY, that have swept the state during his first term.
We have already seen evidence of this detrimental partnership when the administration caved to environmentalists demands when they forced the Governor’s hand to nix the plans of Explosive Services International (ESI) to keep the burn chamber at Camp Minden functioning. And then again when he put a stop to plans to bring another burn chamber to the Slaughter area. This project, which had major, bi-partisan support from local officials, would have provided high quality jobs to a rural area.
One has to wonder how many companies, with high quality, blue collar jobs, are going to pack their bags? We have already seen companies refusing to reinvest in Louisiana because of the legal climate that the Edwards Administration has fostered. Between the legacy lawsuits that run rampant, the lack of corporate tax incentives, and the eroding quality of life in Louisiana, is it really any surprise that the Pelican state suffers from an out-migration issue?
If all this sounds a little doom and gloom, it’s probably because it is. Don’t let that 40% approval rating make you comfortable. The trial lawyer money is flowing, the environmental activists are activated and ramping into full gear for 2019 and this show is just getting started. Conservatives need to unite behind one candidate and beat John Bel. A rerun of the 2015 Republican primary will only help assure the Governors re-elect.
Chris Gary - Cajun Conservatism
LAGOP: Louisiana Republicans join together to support Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin
Photo source: LAGOP
11/13/2018
Today, Louisiana Republican officials across the state joined together to express support for Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin in his runoff election scheduled for December 8, 2018. Members of the executive branch of Louisiana, and the Republican members of the Congressional delegation, announced their endorsements of Secretary Ardoin for the December 8 runoff.
“It is vital that we keep a conservative Republican as our Louisiana Secretary of State. We cannot afford a liberal progressive in that office who would weaken our voter ID laws and undermine the integrity of our elections,” Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Louis Gurvich said. “It's critical that all Louisiana Republicans show up to support and vote for Secretary of State Ardoin on December 8. No one should take this election for granted!”
“Look at what’s happening in Florida and Georgia, where the incompetence of local election officials is casting serious doubt on the results of the elections in those states. This cannot be allowed to happen in Louisiana. I will continue to ensure the security of our elections, and fight the radicals who wish to change our election laws,” declared Secretary of State Ardoin.
Secretary Ardoin placed first in the November primary. Early voting for the runoff election takes place November 24-December 1, and Election Day is December 8.
The list of Republican officials who have endorsed Secretary Ardoin are as follows:
Republican Party of Louisiana
Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D.
Senator John Kennedy
Congressman Steve Scalise
Congressman Ralph Abraham
Congressman Clay Higgins
Congressman Mike Johnson
Attorney General Jeff Landry
Treasurer John Schroder
Commissioner of Agriculture and Forestry Mike Strain
Commissioner of Insurance Jim Donelon
CITIZENS FOR LOUISIANA JOB CREATORS: Mayor Convicted of Felony Voted
Photo source: Facebook
Over the weekend, WBRZ Television station in Baton Rouge broke the story that convicted felon, and former mayor of New Roads Robert Myer, voted in the recent federal elections.
If this doesn’t sound right, it’s because it is not!
It is illegal for convicted felons to vote...even if the Governor's political appointees try and allow it. As reported by WBRZ, under the leadership of Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin, prior to every election, he receives a list from the Department of Corrections of criminals who are not eligible to vote. Robert Myer’s name was not on that list. Governor Edwards political appointee Malcolm Myer, Assistant Secretary at the Department of Corrections, and the brother of Robert Myer, did not send the felon’s name to Secretary Ardoin.
Thankfully Attorney General Landry continues to fight the empty out our jails policy coming from this Administration. Felons voting is just the latest disrespect being shown victims of crime. Our election process is sacred, thank you Attorney General Landry and Secretary of State Ardoin for fighting for accountability.
Link to WBRZ story here
FDA Launches Global Crackdown on Websites Selling Illicit Opioids and Drugs
Photo source: FDA
As part of the crackdown, called Operation Pangea XI, the FDA sent warnings to seven different networks operating 465 websites that were offering up misbranded or unapproved drugs. This is the 11th annual operation.
Some of the domains include seemingly innocuous names like bestgenericstore.com or top-meds-discounts.com.
Read more: FDA Launches Global Crackdown on Websites Selling Illicit Opioids and Drugs
More Good News for the Oil and Gas Industry in Louisiana
Photo source: Wikipedia
In this piece from the Advocate, Louisiana has signed a deal with the country of Poland for deliveries of liquefied natural gas (LNG).
The state company PGNiG signed the 24-year deal with American supplier Cheniere during a ceremony in Warsaw attended by U.S. Energy Secretary Rick Perry and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
Read more: Poland signs deal for long-term natural gas deliveries from Louisiana, Texas
Border wall needed to protect against a 'caravan' of a different kind: drugs
Photo source: Life Persona
Illegal Fentanyl is flooding the southern border. According to a recent report, the illegal drug comes from two main sources: China and Mexico. It arrives in two ways: U.S. consumers order it directly from laboratories in China or Chinese companies ship it to smugglers in Mexico, where the goods are then shipped into the U.S. via popular trucking routes.
Read more: Border wall needed to protect against a 'caravan' of a different kind: drugs
LABI: National Report: Households in Louisiana Forced to Pay Some of the Highest Lawsuit Costs in the U.S.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Baton Rouge (Oct. 24, 2018) – Today, the U.S. Chamber of Commerce Institute for Legal Reform (ILR) released a study that reveals the total cost of the U.S. tort system is staggering. The ILR report, Costs and Compensation of the U.S. Tort System, estimates the total cost of tort litigation in each state, totaling $429 billion nationwide in 2016.
Closer to home, the cost of lawsuits in Louisiana are among the highest of any state. Families and businesses in Louisiana were forced to pay nearly $7 billion in expenses related to tort litigation in 2016 - equivalent to more than $4,000 for every Louisiana household. The impact on the Louisiana economy ranks among the top five states in the nation, as litigation costs equate to almost three percent of the state’s GDP.
The ILR report further shows the largest share of Louisiana’s tort costs are a result of automobile accident cases, ringing in at almost $3.4 billion in 2016. Year after year, the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) has supported a series of reform bills in the Louisiana Legislature to address this issue and bring costs down for Louisiana businesses and families but faces strong opposition from allies of an entrenched trial bar.
Today, LABI president and CEO Stephen Waguespack joined ILR in Washington for the launch of the report, speaking on a morning panel at the 2018 Legal Reform Summit. The experts took a deep dive into the cost of tort litigation for the average American family and how Louisiana shapes up compared to the rest of the country. Joining Waguespack on the panel was Paul Hinton, Principal of the Battle Group. The panelists were interviewed by Connie Lewis Lensing, Senior Vice President of the Legal Department at FedEx.
“On the heels of yet another negative report, we are staying focused on solutions,” stated LABI president and CEO Stephen Waguespack. “The costs of lawsuits profoundly impacts the ability of Louisiana employers to create jobs and for workers to keep more of their own hard-earned money. Reform to Louisiana’s legal system is a top priority going into next year’s important state election cycle.”
Waguespack continued, “Louisiana must take the opportunity to learn from this latest report. Not just about how our state can be stronger, but what these costs mean for Louisiana wallets and what other states are doing in this arena to ensure plaintiffs have access to a fair system without penalizing all businesses and households. The reality is that lawsuits are not just a technical issue that dies in the state legislature every year; this is a real-world problem that our businesses and families are fighting every day.”
Earlier this year, the ILR ranked Louisiana 51st in the country behind the District of Columbia for the worst legal climate in the nation. The new ILR report focuses specifically on the cost of torts paid in the U.S. tort system, using data on liability insurance premiums and estimates of the liability exposure of businesses and individuals that are uninsured or self-insured.
To read the report, click below:
Costs and Compensation the U.S. Tort System:https://www.instituteforlegalreform.com/research/2018-costs-and-compensation-of-the-us-tort-system
About the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry was organized in 1975 to represent Louisiana businesses, serving as both the state chamber of commerce and state manufacturers association. LABI’s primary goal is to foster a climate for economic growth by championing the principles of the free enterprise system and representing the general interest of the business community through active involvement in the political, legislative, judicial and regulatory processes. Find out more information at http://www.labi.org
HIGGINS: 100% Pro-Life
In a recent email to supporters and constituents, Congressman Clay Higgins highlights the 100% voting record he has in Congress concerning the Right to Life:
As children of God, we are called to protect the most innocent, the unborn. Over the last 22 months, my office has supported and fought for pro-life legislation that includes:
H.R. 7, the No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act
H.R. 36, the Pain-Capable Unborn Child Protection Act
H.R. 490, the Heartbeat Protection Act
H.R. 4712, the Born-Alive Abortion Survivors Protection Act
No American should ever worry that their tax dollars are being used to fund organizations that perform abortions, which is why I have also supported every effort to defund Planned Parenthood and advance pro-life protections. I will continue to support legislative efforts like this in the U.S. House of Representatives.
