State's tort laws encourage litigation, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana says

Photo source: www.law.com

BATON ROUGE – Jeff Albright, CEO of Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana, believes auto insurance premiums in Louisiana are among the highest in the country because there are double the amount of claims in Louisiana than any other state.

"The reason for our high insurance premiums in Louisiana is very clear," Albright said. "We claim that we are injured in car accidents twice as often as the national average. If we make twice as many claims we will pay more for insurance."

Read more: State's tort laws encourage litigation, Independent Insurance Agents & Brokers of Louisiana says

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: Justice for Who?

AG Jeff Landry is once again being the voice of reason in the midst of the debacle that is the Edwards Administration's Criminal Justice Reform. This so called reform has once again failed the victims of violent crime. The latest example of this travesty comes to the people of Louisiana at the expense of a 6 year old child murdered by former police officers in Marksville, Louisiana. This child was an innocent bystander in his father's car when Officers Norris Greenhouse and Derrick Stafford fired shots at the vehicle, killing Jeremy Mardis. 

Officer Greenhouse was convicted of negligent homicide and sentenced to over seven years in prison but was released after serving less than 2 years. Louisiana Department of Corrections and Parole say that his original conviction is not a violent offense, making him eligible for release. 

AG Landry said, "Unfortunately, (Greenhouse's) early release is yet another example of the lack of transparency in our criminal justice system, as it relates to victims and their families." Thank you AG Landry for continuing to stand up for the rights of victims and their families and calling out the lack of accountability within the Edwards Administration's Department of Corrections. 

Read more: Ex-officer released after serving time for killing boy

Remember the Officer Involved Shooting in Marksville that Killed an Autistic Kid?

Photo source: WAFB

If you do, then this should enrage you. After serving less than two years of a seven year sentence, this killer was freed from prison.

"I want to remind everyone that this case dealt with the tragic death of a child," Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry said in a statement Monday. "Mr. Greenhouse's early release is a disappointment."

"Unfortunately, (Greenhouse's) early release is yet another example of the lack of transparency in our criminal justice system, as it relates to victims and their families," Landry said.

Read more: Ex-officer released after serving time for killing boy

Democrats Falsely Take Credit for Republican AG Jeff Landry’s Sweeping Louisiana Healthcare Bill

Photo source: Twitter 

 “A Democratic campaign arm attempting to give John Bel Edwards credit for my Legislation, developed with Republican leaders, to protect pre-existing healthcare conditions without Obamacare,” Landry charged Tuesday. “A bill he attacked. THAT’S RICH. Thank you for recognizing the bipartisan support.”

Read more: Democrats Falsely Take Credit for Republican AG Jeff Landry’s Sweeping Louisiana Healthcare Bill

Or, Better Worded, Governor Signs Jeff Landry's Healthcare Bill Into Law

Trying their best to cover the backside of the liberal governor they love so much, Louisiana media has reported that “Honor Code” Edwards, who once called the healthcare bill recently passed by the legislature a “fig leaf” for Attorney General Landry, has signed that same bill into law.

After calling the bill a “fig leaf” aimed at saving Louisiana’s attorney general from embarrassment, Gov. John Bel Edwards quietly signed into a law a measure pushed by one of his political rivals that aims to eventually offer some protections to patients if the Affordable Care Act is overturned.

The bill was backed by Attorney General Jeff Landry, and authorizes the state’s insurance commissioner to study other state’s health care models to come up with a potential replacement for the ACA’s individual health exchange. It would only be necessary if the ACA is overturned--which is the goal of a lawsuit that Landry has joined.

Read more: After criticizing health insurance bill, Gov. Edwards signs measure pushed by Jeff Landry

The Roses and Thorns of the 2019 Session

By: Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

The 2019 legislative session has finally come to a close. For those that thought this would be a quick and uncontentious two-month session for lawmakers, boy were they wrong. This session, even without another budget crisis, did not run short on its list of roses or thorns.

There were a handful of bills that passed this session that enhanced the environment for the oil and gas sector. The oil and gas industry will be able to participate in carbon dioxide sequestration, thanks to Rep. Raymond Crews filing House Bill (HB) 163. This bill allows the Office of Conservation and the Commissioner to promulgate rules to permit carbon sequestration. This bill, now law, was a collaboration between industry, regulators, and lawmakers to provide another environmentally friendly way to deal with excess carbon while producing energy.

Additionally, LOGA worked hand in hand with Rep. Blake Miguez to provide some clarification to the tax code. Due to a “unique” interpretation of Louisiana tax codes, oil companies in three parishes have recently been assessed a property tax on goods that was previously not taxed. Thankfully, this measure passed and on the October ballot will be a constitutional amendment to provide for a property tax exemption for goods bound for the Outer Continental Shelf, providing needed clarity for Louisiana’s offshore operators.

Louisiana will also experience one of the largest infrastructure investments in decades. Thanks to the teamwork of Rep. Tanner Magee, Sen. Rick Ward, and a coalition of pro-industry and business groups, Louisiana is set to receive nearly a $700 million investment for transportation projects. The best part about this investment is we, the taxpayers, are not on the hook for the tab. Instead of using taxpayer dollars, HB 572 directs BP Deepwater settlement dollars to these infrastructure projects, like the LA1 Improvement Project that connects to Port Fourchon.

However, it was not all cheers this session. There were two bills that received approval from the House but failed to receive approval from the Senate Finance Committee. These bills, HB 188 and HB 256, looked to provide a severance tax exemption for stripper and incapable wells when the price of oil was under $75. We thank Rep. Jim Morris for his help with these bills and for his support of the oil and gas industry as he now completes his tenure as a Louisiana state representative. 

Louisiana missed a huge opportunity to begin the process of cleaning up our legal system and to lower our auto insurance rates. The missed opportunity came in the defeat of HB 372, the Omnibus Premium Reduction Act of 2019 by Rep. Kirk Talbot. This piece of legislation looked to tackle our outrageous auto insurance rates by instituting common sense legal reforms. The legislation received overwhelming support in the House but would make it no further than the Senate Judiciary A committee, the “King’s Landing” of the Senate… where all tort reform measures are scorched.

Now that session has ended, we can take the time to reflect on what’s next. Louisiana ranks 50th in best states to do business and 50th in best states in the nation; those numbers are dismal. We have some of the highest auto insurance, sales tax and severance tax rates and unfortunately the oil and gas industry is all too familiar with the impact that unnecessary Legacy and Coastal lawsuits have had on our industry. It is clear that Louisiana is in need of a change in direction and in our great democracy there is no better way to make that change than by having your voice heard in the voting booth. Elections are right around the corner, now is the time to engage.

LAGOP: Former Edwards Administration Official Admits to Stealing Over $550,000 from Hospital Charity

Prosecutors say Funes stole gift cards intended for cancer patients

(Baton Rouge, LA) – A member of the Governor’s Healthcare Transition Committee pled guilty in a Baton Rouge Federal Court today to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.

Federal Investigators caught John Paul Funes chartering private flights for his friends and family while forcing the Our Lake of the Lake Foundation to cover the expenses by creating fraudulent bills for “outbound patient transports”. Investigators also discovered Funes repeatedly stole gift cards intended for cancer patients and spent them for his personal benefit.

After being elected Governor, John Bel Edwards named John Paul Funes to his Healthcare Transition Committee and tasked the committee with developing a plan to expand Medicaid in Louisiana.

The Governor’s expansion of Medicaid was a disaster. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted, tens of thousands of people have been kicked out of the program, and thousands have died on waiting lists.

Conservatives in Louisiana have been shocked at the amount of fraud and waste and have been wondering for years why an Administration would make so many mistakes with so much taxpayer money at risk.

Today we found out why.

LAGOP: Louisiana Economy Being Left Behind Under John Bel Edwards

(Baton Rouge, LA) – Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor released the latest information on State Employment and Unemployment. While it is clear the policies of President Trump have caused a national economic boom, these statistics clearly show that Louisiana is being left behind.

Unemployment Rate – May 2019

United States 3.6

Louisiana 4.4
Texas 3.5
Alabama 3.7
Arkansas 3.6
Florida 3.4
Georgia 3.8
Tennessee 3.3

Mississippi 5.0

Unfortunately for the people of Louisiana, this report contains even MORE troubling statistics. Not only is Louisiana growing at the SLOWEST RATE IN THE COUNTRY, but we are LOSING people! From May 2018 to May 2019 Louisiana saw only a 0.1% change in nonfarm employment, the lowest in the ENITRE COUNTRY.

Even more troubling is the fact that our civilian labor force is shrinking under Governor John Bel Edwards. Our unemployment rate is going down because people are LEAVING Louisiana, not because they are finding jobs. In May of 2018 the civilian labor force of Louisiana was 2,106,604. By April 2019 the labor force in Louisiana had shrunk to 2,098,308.

In just the last 11 months 8,296 people have left the Louisiana workforce, that is 25 people every single day!

It is obvious Louisiana is being left behind but the only job John Bel Edwards is fighting to save is his own.

LANDRY: Statement in Response to Judge Feldman’s Decision to Stay Coastal Permit Lawsuit Pending Defendant’s Appeal to the Fifth Circuit

New Orleans, La. (June 11, 2019) – U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman issued a ruling today granting a stay in one coastal permit lawsuit pending an appeal to the Fifth Circuit. Following the decision, Melissa Landry, a spokesperson representing several major oil and natural gas companies named as defendants in the suits, released the following statement:

“We applaud Judge Feldman’s decision to stay this case,” said Landry on behalf of Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.

“Given the large number of similar lawsuits that are also being considered, this brief stay pending appeal will help avoid simultaneous litigation being considered before multiple courts at the state and federal levels.

“This ruling also serves the interests of judicial efficiency by allowing the Fifth Circuit to address the important question of where this case should be litigated, before the case proceeds further.

“We are very pleased with this commonsense ruling, and we look forward to presenting our appeal to the Fifth Circuit.

“As we have consistently maintained from the beginning, these trial lawyer driven permit lawsuits challenge decades of federally authorized operations, which were carried out according to federal laws and regulations, and the cases should be heard in federal court.” 

LAGOP: NEW POLL: Democrat Disaster Brewing for Governor John Bel Edwards

42% of all Louisiana Democrats & 64% of Louisiana Democrats under 35 want a new Democratic candidate for Governor

(Baton Rouge, LA) – This week, We Ask America, a nationally recognized polling firm, released the fourth in a series of statewide public opinion polls from across the country. According to the findings of their poll of Louisiana Democrats conducted between June 5th and 6th, Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do to shore up his Democratic base.

The poll finds that 42% of Democrats want to see Edwards get a Democratic primary challenger in the race, a troubling number for any incumbent that rises to a shocking 64% among younger voters. Another troubling sign for Edwards in the We Ask America poll is his lack of support and enthusiasm among young voters.

In addition to 64% support for a primary challenge, just 57% of voters aged 18-35 indicate they are “Certain” to vote in October. These younger Democrats will be crucial for Edwards if he hopes to build a local campaign organization, and his path to victory gets extremely difficult if these voters do not turn out to vote.

It has been a rough few weeks for Louisiana’s Democratic Governor as he found himself in the crosshairs of several Democratic Presidential candidates and even the head of the Louisiana Democrats expressed disgust with her candidate for Governor.

With Louisiana Democratic Party leaders openly criticizing him and a plurality of Democratic voters either supportive of a primary challenge or undecided, John Bel Edwards is becoming more vulnerable by the day.

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: Landry Provides Solution to Obamacare Train-wreck

Photo source: Louisiana Dept. of Justice 

During the 2019 Regular Louisiana Legislative Session AG Jeff Landry partnered with legislators from both sides of the aisle to pass legislation that is being called the fix to Obamacare. The Health Care Coverage for Louisiana Families Protection Act opens up a wide range of options for healthcare and provides coverage for those with pre-existing conditions.

AG Landry's legislation is now being recognized nationally and he is leading the way in providing Congress with real solutions to our healthcare woes. He recently sat down with Brietbart to discuss this legislative win and explain how it could be a model for the entire country!

Thank you AG Landry for being a leader on healthcare and finding ways to solve the Obamacare disaster!

Read more: Landry Provides Solution to Obamacare Train-wreck

LAGOP: Attorney General Jeff Landry Leads Bipartisan Obamacare Replacement Bill Through State Legislature

Will Governor Edwards swallow his pride and sign Landry’s plan?

(Baton Rouge, LA) – Attorney General Jeff Landry and House Speaker Taylor Barras partnered with Senator Fred Mills and Representative Kirk Talbot to reach across the aisle and develop a consensus behindlegislationto protect people in Louisiana with pre-existing conditions, in case the Affordable Care Act is struck down by the courts. Working alongside Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, the legislature overwhelmingly supported this bipartisan plan to ensure the people of Louisiana will have access to affordable health insurance after Obamacare.

This bipartisan effortserves as a reminder to the people of Louisiana that our elected officials, regardless of political party, can come together in Baton Rouge and make important decisions for the betterment of the state, or at least most of our elected officials can...

Unfortunately, Governor Edwards has fought this bill at every stage of the legislative process. First, Edwards and his allies introduced a competing bill that failedin committee. Edwards thenlashed outin the media and began slandering the bipartisan plan. Unable to disrupt the momentum of the bipartisan legislation, Edwardsthrew togethera task force in anattemptto steal the headlines for himself. On the Senate floor, Edwards sent one of his allies to attack the bill with a hostile amendment. All of his efforts failed.

Back in April Governor Edwards saidthat he was looking forward to working with the Legislature to find common ground for both parties to work together. Instead he chose to sit in his mansion and attack real bipartisanship. Fortunately for Louisiana, the legislature went ahead and did the hard work, finding bipartisan ground to protect our healthcare.

Now all we need the Governor to do is stop pouting and sign the bill!

LAGOP: SHOCK POLL: Less Than Half of Democrats Are Committed to Voting for John Bel Edwards

(Baton Rouge, LA) – A new poll focused on the Louisiana Governor’s race is sending shockwaves through the campaign of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.

“It looks like Governor Edwards will be shifting his re-election campaign into an apology tour,” said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison.

Democratic respondents were asked: “Are you definitely voting for John Bel Edwards or would you consider voting for another Democratic candidate?” Only 49% of Louisiana Democrats are definitely supporting the Governor for re-election.Almost 30% of Louisiana Democrats are shopping for a new candidate, while 15% of Democrats say they aren’t voting for a Democrat.

This is a major disaster for John Bel Edwards!

LOGA and LMOGA Issue Statement On Judge’s Remand To State Court

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 28, 2019) — The Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) issued the following statement in response to the remand motion issued today from the Eastern District of Louisiana.

“The ruling by Judge Feldman is the next step in legal proceedings that will continue for the foreseeable future,” said Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “The ruling clears the way for the appeal to the Fifth Circuit, and further supports industry’s calls for the lawsuits to be heard in Federal Court. The coastal lawsuits are putting the interests of the plaintiff lawyers over the people of Louisiana, hindering effort and resources that would actually benefit the coastline, economy, and citizens of this state.”

“Today’s ruling is another procedural step in the judicial process, which unfortunately takes time and resources away from what could be collaborative efforts working towards real solutions for our coast,” said Tyler Gray, President and General Counsel of the Louisiana Mid Continent Oil & Gas Association. “As we’ve learned from the Levee Board lawsuit and many years of litigation involving this case, the solutions to securing our coast will not be found in the courtroom. Louisiana oil and natural gas companies recognize our working coast is an invaluable cultural, economic and environmental asset. For decades our member companies have voluntarily invested millions of dollars in restoration and hurricane protection projects and spent countless hours advocating for major federal funding opportunities like GOMESA to help make our coastal communities safer and stronger. Rather than pursuing flawed and divisive legal attacks against many of our top job creators, state and local leaders should be focused on working with our industry and our Congressional delegation to ensure that Washington continues to invest in and support Louisiana’s working coast.”

About The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production, and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. LOGA services its membership by creating incentives for Louisiana’s oil & gas industry, warding off tax increases, changing existing burdensome regulations, and educating the public and government of the importance of the oil and gas industry in the state of Louisiana. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

About The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association

Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association, founded in 1923, is a trade association exclusively representing all sectors of the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico. LMOGA serves exploration and production, refining, transportation, marketing and mid-stream companies as well as other firms in the fields of law, engineering, environment, financing and government relations. LMOGA’s mission is to promote and represent the oil and gas industry operating in Louisiana and the Gulf of Mexico by extending representation of our members in the Louisiana Legislature, state and federal regulatory agencies, the Louisiana congressional delegation, the media and the general public. Find out more information at: http://www.lmoga.com

LAGOP: John Bel Edwards Must Refuse Campaign Cash from Pro-Abortion Lobby

Democratic Governors Association Received Over $500,000 From Planned Parenthood Since Backing Edwards in 2015

(Baton Rouge, LA) – While Governor John Bel Edwards attempts to appeal to conservative voters in an election year by pledging to sign pro-life legislation, his campaign is receiving financial support and resources from national organizations that are funded by pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA), which spent millions to help elect Edwards in 2015, and already has paid staffers on the ground to help his re-election efforts, has accepted $570,780 in contributions from Planned Parenthood Action Fund from 2015-2018.

Both Planned Parenthood and the DGA are actively campaigning against pro-life legislation across the country. Earlier this month, the DGA sent out an email opening with: “Friends, abortion rights are under attack in the states,” and recently tweeted that “attacks on women’s health care prove that the threat to women’s reproductive rights is real and present,” referencing legislation similar to Louisiana’s.

Leading national Democrats, including Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez and 2020 presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on the party to be “100 percent pro-choice.”

“Professional politician John Bel Edwards is trying to have it both ways. While he claims to be pro-life, his campaign machine is running on cash from groups funded by Planned Parenthood," said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “This year, the people of Louisiana will have the opportunity to elect a strong, pro-life governor who doesn’t have to beg for money from the abortion lobby.”

Meanwhile his supporters are pointing to his record as a liberal Democrat to make the case for organizations like the DGA to keep the dollars flowing. The Huffington Post reports that “Edwards’ supporters note he’s a mainstream Democrat on economic issues,” and Gumbo PAC Director Trey Ourso argues that Edwards “has been succeeding on many issues that Democrats care about and fight for.”

It’s past time for Edwards to put his money where his mouth is and reject any support from these pro-abortion groups. Until he does, John Bel Edwards is just another Democrat that Louisiana conservatives can't afford. 

LAGOP: PRESS RELEASE: Governor John Bel Edwards Caught Meddling in LSU Athletics

Secret Text Messages and Suspicious Behavior

Governor John Bel Edwards Caught Meddling in LSU Athletics

(Baton Rouge, LA) – Yesterday, we learned that Governor John Bel Edwards was apparently very determined to obtain inside information on the playing status of one of LSU’s star basketball players, before this information was made public. The Governor sent multiple text messages to several LSU administrators, and continued to follow-up on the conversations until he received the insider information he was seeking.

Of course, this could all just be a case of Governor Edwards being a fan…except that his office and staff have treated this report so strangely, lashing out at every mention of it and fighting any further news coverage.

The Governor’s team promptly began a “definitely not hiding anything” communications strategy by refusing to comply with a simple records request for two months, delaying the production of these easily accessible and easily searchable electronic records to the media.

Next, and still definitely not hiding anything, the Governor’s office redacted certain comments from the text messages and refused to provide his text conversation with an LSU attorney.

Still definitely not hiding anything, Governor Edwards sent his top lawyer to answer questions about the matter. His attorney then stated “He (the Governor) was not trying to weigh in on whether he (the player) should or should not play. That clearly did not happen and would not have happened.”

Now the Governor’s communication staff is shouting down this article on social media and vigorously retweeting “defenders” of the Governor getting involved in this situation – DEFINITELY. NOT. HIDING. ANYTHING.

We have a few questions:

With whom did the Governor share this insider information?

Did those same individuals bet on any LSU basketball games?

What did Governor Edwards and F. King Alexander discuss on the phone?

Who asked the Governor to obtain this information?

Why did the Governor need to know this information before the public learned of it?

Why did it take two months to respond to the records request?

Why did the Governor question those specific LSU administrators?

If the Governor’s interest in this matter was only personal, why did he discuss the matter with one of LSU’s attorneys?

Further, if Governor Edwards was “asking for a journalist” why does the content of his conversation with the LSU attorney require the protection of the attorney-client privilege?

LANDRY: Statement in Response to Judge Feldman’s Ruling in Coastal Permit Lawsuits

New Orleans, La. (May 29, 2019)

Following the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman regarding removal actions in the coastal permit lawsuits targeting Louisiana’s energy industry, Melissa Landry, a spokesperson for the legal teams representing several major oil and natural gas companies named as defendants in the suits, released the following statement:

“Judge Feldman's ruling addressed the complex framework of federal laws at issue in this case and he found that there could be substantial grounds for a difference of opinions in deciding these important questions,” said Landry on behalf of the legal team representing Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.

“We appreciate Judge Feldman’s decision to grant our motion for interlocutory appeal the issues analyzed in his ruling and we look forward to presenting our positions to the Fifth Circuit. As we’ve asserted from the beginning, these cases belong in federal court.

"The energy industry has lawfully operated in Louisiana for decades, employing thousands of Louisianans and contributing substantially to national, state and local economies. For decades, oil and gas operations have been carried out under federal supervision, and in compliance with federal laws and regulations, enacted to permit the responsible use and development of Louisiana's coastal resources while protecting the environment.

”Many of the activities at issue in this case were governed by federal permits and most of the operations took place long before the state implemented coastal management laws. The plaintiffs’ own experts acknowledged these facts.”

LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM: Heartbeat Bill Passes!

BREAKING NEWS!

The Louisiana House of Representatives has passed the Heartbeat Bill, SB184 by Senator John Milkovich (D) Shreveport, which bans abortions in Louisiana after a medically detectable heartbeat is present. This law awaits the signature of Governor John Bel Edwards and only goes into effect once a similar Mississippi law makes its way through the court system.

Louisiana has once again demonstrated a pro-life ethic that respects women and determines to preserve and protect life.

The bill, carried by Representative Valarie Hodges surrounded by other pro-life women legislators, passed with a 79 to 23 vote.

LAGOP: Governor Edwards Flip-Flops on Support of Government Spending Cap

(Baton Rouge, LA) – In 2017, Governor Edwards surprised many of the Republicans in the legislature as his administration expressed support for a cap on government spending and limiting the amount the legislature could spend to 98% of projected revenues.

The Advocate reported on March 19, 2017, that the governor backed this 98% spending cap back when Sen. Jim Fannin (R-Jonesboro) authored it. “The governor is supportive of this idea because we want to make sure we’re good stewards of the public’s money,” said Kimberly Robinson, who heads the Revenue Department. “If we have unforeseen incidents such as hurricanes, tornadoes or floods that require state government to spend extra resources, the unspent money will be available.”

Fast forward to the present legislative session, Rep. Rick Edmonds (R-Baton Rouge) has authored a spending cap proposal that would go into effect next fiscal year and the Edwards administration suddenly opposes spending caps.

Matthew Block, speaking on behalf of the Governor, lashed out against the spending cap proposal calling the idea “intellectually dishonest” during the bill’s hearing at the Senate Finance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday. The bill, HB 147, would prevent the government from spending 2% of its total budget, amounting to $834 million over the next four fiscal years that could be put toward the rainy-day fund. The bill has passed the House and is awaiting its day on the Senate floor.

“The governor’s administration stated that they supported the idea once we got out of a budget crisis,” Edmonds said. “We have a surplus this year and there is no fiscal cliff on the horizon. What better time would there be to implement this measure?”

Abraham, Louisiana Delegation Urge USDA Help Farmers Affected by Morganza Spillway

May 29, 2019  

Press Release 

WASHINGTON - Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, and the Louisiana Congressional delegation are urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be prepared to aid farmers in the wake of damages from the opening of the Morganza Spillway.
 
Abraham, who is Louisiana’s only member of a Congressional agriculture committee, led the delegation in the letter. They sent it to USDA Sec. Sonny Perdue on Friday, May 24.
 
The spillway, which is scheduled to open on June 2 for just the third time in its 46-year history, is expected to flood 25,000 acres of farmland in the Atchafalaya Basin. It could result to a total crop and aquaculture loss in the region. The letter also notes that farmers in the state are still contending with Chinese tariffs and recent severe weather.
 
“[W]e urge you to stand ready not only to provide all appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency and non-emergency resources available to those adversely impacted, but to assist eligible farmers and producers to access available aid across the federal government,” the letter said. “As you know, the impact of these repeated hits will be felt not only for the season, but for years and generations beyond.”
 
Those signing the letter along with Abraham were U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise, Cedric Richmond, Garret Graves, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson.
 
Read the letter here.

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