MILLS: A Tale of Two Governors

I’ve worked with numerous governors over my 30+ years around Louisiana’s political landscape, including Louisiana’s current Governor. Throughout those years, I have tried to hold public officials accountable while personally modeling the respect due to each civil government official as Scripture requires (Romans 13). It is in that spirit that I respectfully offer these thoughts.

Governor John Bel Edwards and I, though often public policy opposites, remain friendly and co-operative when common ground is found. The most recent example of that is Criminal Justice Reform. My involvement was at his request, and I served out of respect for his office and a shared belief that of the 18,000 inmates released each year in Louisiana, that a 42% recidivism rate within five years was too high. I respect Governor Edwards family and his lovely and talented wife. His pro-life and pro-second amendment platform won the Louisiana electorate in 2016, and many had high expectations for this deep-south Democrat going forward.

Last week, while launching his reelection campaign Governor Edwards took a swing at an old foe of his and a good friend of mine – former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. I understand that it is said that “all is fair in love and war... and politics.” However, it is political season predictable to me when one joins the chorus of others - making a ghost of the past argument – which oversimplifies and misrepresents a good man’s tenure. Among other things, Bobby Jindal understood the importance of regularly inviting socially conservative, Evangelical, Protestant, and Catholic pastors to his table to discuss policies which were impacting their cities, their churches and the shared responsibility we have to minister. We prayed together, communicated concerns, and listened to his responses. When hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit Louisiana, the reaction from this conversation was tangible. By our small network’s account, tens of millions of dollars of goods and services moved, at no taxpayer expense, through this group of communicating and cooperating friends who ministered to the impacted families.

I can offer a few additional things Bobby Jindal did very well:

1. He earnestly supported traditional family values. Governor Jindal refused to extend executive actions from his predecessors affirming the LGBTQ+ agenda and bringing sexual politics into state government. Governor Edwards signed an executive order expanding LGBTQ+ rights. Only Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and three failed court appeals stopped JBE’s executive advocacy.

2. Governor Jindal was a staunch defender of religious liberty. He supported and signed our state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (2010). John Bel Edwards, as a legislator in 2009, had deep concerns with a constitutional amendment on religious liberty and he voted against the amendment. Then Rep. Edwards did vote for the 2010 version of the bill.

3. Governor Jindal served as a firewall protecting our state from the incessant encroachment of gambling interests. It was well known in the industry that he would oppose both de-regulation as well as the expansion of gambling. Under Governor Edwards, gambling bills filed and passed has exploded – including new forms of gaming.

Yes, there are significant differences in the governance and ideology of these two men. However, it’s disingenuous for Governor Edwards to oversimplify the past while ignoring the context that the policies of both President Obama and President Trump have had on our economic and political landscape.

I urge Governor Edwards and his surrogates to focus on the present reality. From LFF’s vantage point, much work remains before Louisiana is known as a place where God is honored, families flourish, liberty is cherished, and state government is laser-focused on its constitutional imperatives. Bobby Jindal has not been the Governor for nearly four years. Surely, there are present indicators which assist the Governor in making his case to the voters of Louisiana. In the meantime, I will continue to remind our state of the remarkable legacy of Bobby Jindal.

Gene Mills


President


Louisiana Family Forum

Eddie Stands with President Trump

In the video, Rispone says he will work with President Trump to protect our constitutional rights, ban sanctuary cities, and end taxpayer benefits for illegal immigrants in Louisiana. 

Rispone added on the announcement, “I am proud to stand with President Trump. I have been unequivocally supportive of the President since day one, and will proudly work with him as governor to defend our constitution and secure our borders. Louisiana needs someone like President Trump—a conservative, outsider, and businessman—to take on the status quo and turn this state around.”

Read more: Eddie Rispone ‘Stands with President Trump’ in first major TV ad for Gubernatorial campaign

BRIGGS: Energy and Environment: A Rivalry into a Partnership

Photo source: Business and Industry Connection

Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

In a recent address, President Donald J. Trump took a bold step and declared America’s dual role as a world leader in the energy sector and in environmental stewardship. “For years, politicians told Americans that a strong economy and a vibrant energy sector were incompatible with a healthy environment. And that's wrong because we're proving the exact opposite. A strong economy is vital to maintaining a healthy environment. When we innovate, produce, and grow, we're able to unleash technologies and processes that make the environment better,” President Trump said during that nationally televised speech in July 2019. 

Our Commander in Chief’s remarks were not reflective of a naive, eager vision for the far distant future, but a proud display of all that the Trump administration has already done to support environmental stewardship and enable better management of the vast natural resources our nation has uniquely been blessed with. 

His remarks struck a chord. For years, Americans have been fed half-truths and presented with a false choice between a sustainable environment or a robust energy sector. Americans were told that sunshine, blue skies, and clean water are the adversary of jobs and opportunity. That is simply not the case. Thanks to advancements in today’s technology, not only can you have both economic success and a healthy environment, but a strong economy is needed to ensure a pristine environment. 

In America, unemployment has reached its lowest rate in half a century; our production of energy has risen to the point where we are a net exporter of energy for the first time, and yet, our nation’s energy emissions have declined more than any other country on earth. The emissions are expected to drop even lower in the remainder of the year and in 2020. Since the election of President Trump, there have been more than 6 million new jobs and equally impressive, our air pollution is now six times lower than the global average.  

This synchrony between the energy industry and the environment is working across the United States, and it is also proving successful in Louisiana. In April of 2018, the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) took its next step in the Clean Air Act process to implement the 2015 Ozone National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). In this phase, the EPA found that in all areas of Louisiana, the state had reached environmental attainment of the NAAQ standards.

While small activist groups march on Baton Rouge and block pipelines, industry is moving forward to protect the environment. In the 2019 legislative session, with the help of oil and gas industry supporter Rep. Raymond Crews (R-Bossier City), legislation was passed that enacted into law another environmentally-friendly way to dispose of excess carbon produced during the process of oil and gas extraction. The Secretary of the Department of Environmental Equality, Dr. Chuck Brown, stated during a speech to Marathon Petroleum, “With all of the industry in Louisiana, we have the cleanest air since the industrial revolution.”

Meanwhile, Louisiana continues to increase its industrial outputs. Over the next decade, the United States will be one of the three most significant exporters of LNG in the world, and thanks to our vast pipeline infrastructure, much of that LNG will flow through the Pelican State. Our pipelines have allowed Louisiana to not only to succeed where other states have failed, with regard to shut-in production, but they have made our roads and railways safer and lowered risk for our environment by moving energy material through pipe. 

Let the endless proof from regulatory agencies, the economy, and your own eyes debunk once and for all the myth that a strong economy, a healthy environment and a vibrant energy sector are incompatible. 

Time and time again, we see members of the oil and gas sector stepping up to the plate and working to make Louisiana a better place to live, work and play. At the federal level, President Trump has stopped the war waged on energy producers, and this has allowed us to not only create more jobs and opportunities for Americans everywhere, but helped to create a better environment for generations to come. It is only through this American spirit of cooperation and collaboration that the energy and environmental sectors can and will thrive together.

Socialistic Drug Price Controls Should be Rejected

The only solution to lower prices for any product is a free market, where there is competition and market-based price negotiations, not government interference. Instead of adopting policies that countries with socialized healthcare systems use to keep costs down but destroy their pharmaceutical innovation, elected leaders in the U.S. should be looking to market solutions and quicker Food and Drug Administration approvals for both generic and innovative pharmaceuticals.

Read more: Socialistic Drug Price Controls Should be Rejected

Baton Rouge boy headed to Taiwan to play in baseball World Cup

Photo source: Twitter

Jack Ruckert, son of former Chief of Staff to David Vitter, Kyle Ruckert and his wife, Lynnel, former Chief of Staff to Steve Scalise, has been named to the 18-man roster for the boys’ 12U National Team. Team USA playing next week in Taiwan.

On Friday, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin tweeted out his congratulations for the boy and his parents.

“Congratulations to Jack Ruckert, my neighbor and son of Kyle and Lynnel Ruckert, on the prestigious honor of being the only Louisianian to make the team! He and his teammates will travel to Taiwan to represent our great country!” Ardoin tweeted.

State Treasurer John Schroder echoed Ardoin’s sentiments.

“Congrats Jack! Way to make Louisiana proud!” he tweeted.

Read more: Baton Rouge boy headed to Taiwan to play in baseball World Cup

St. James Parish officials accused of secret sessions on Wanhua chemical plant before key vote

Photo source: ArkLaTex

In a continuing story we’ve covered here at Cajun Conservatism, St. James residents are up in arms regarding a chemical plant partially owned by the Chinese government.

Two environmental groups and two St. James Parish residents claim the Parish Council and Planning Commission violated state open meetings law when they held secret meetings concerning the $1.25 billion Wanhua chemical plant proposed for the Convent area.

In a new state court lawsuit, the plaintiffs accused parish officials of "purposely circumventing the strictures of the Open Meetings Law" and of hiding "the invitation-only meeting from the public," held six days before the commission approved a key land use application for the plant in late May.

Read more: St. James Parish officials accused of secret sessions on Wanhua chemical plant before key vote

LOGPAC Announces First Round of Endorsements for the 2019 Election Cycle

BATON ROUGE, LA (July 18, 2019) - Today, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee (LOGPAC), the political action committee of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA), announced its first round of endorsements for incumbent legislators for the 2019 election cycle.  

“We are proud to back candidates that celebrate our state’s oil and gas industry and all that it brings to Louisiana,” said Gifford Briggs, Executive Director of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee. “These legislators have proven their unwavering support of the small and independent oil and gas producers of Louisiana. We are proud to show our sign of support by endorsing these defenders of the state’s most important economic driver.” 

For more information about the upcoming elections and a list of all the LOGPAC endorsed candidates please visit GeauxElections.com. 

LOGPAC is pleased to endorse the following: 

NORTHWEST REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Barrow Peacock from Bossier City representing Senate District 37

• Rep. Alan Seabaugh from Shreveport representing House District 5 

• Rep. Larry Bagley from Stonewall representing House District 7 

• Rep. Raymond Crews from Bossier City representing House District 8 

• Rep. Dodie Horton from Haughton representing House District 9 

• Rep. Wayne McMahen from Minden representing House District 10 

• Rep. Patrick Jefferson from Homer representing House District 11

NORTHEAST REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Jim Fannin from Jonesboro representing Senate District 35

• Rep. Chris Turner from Ruston representing House District 12

• Rep. Jack McFarland from Jonesboro representing House District 13

CENTRAL REGION LEGISLATORS:

• Rep. Lance Harris from Alexandria representing House District 25

• Rep. Mike Johnson from Pineville representing House District 27

SOUTHWEST REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Bob Hensgens from Abbeville representing Senate District 26

• Sen. Ronnie Johns from Lake Charles representing Senate District 27 

• Rep. Stephen Dwight from Lake Charles representing House District 35

• Rep. Ryan Bourriaque from Abbeville representing House District 47

ACADIANA REGION LEGISLATORS:

• Sen. Page Cortez from Lafayette representing Senate District 23 

• Sen. Gerald Boudreaux from Lafayette representing Senate District 24

• Rep. Julie Emerson from Carencro representing House District 39

• Rep. Phillip DeVillier from Eunice representing House District 41

• Rep. John Stefanski from Crowley representing House District 42

• Rep. Stuart Bishop from Lafayette representing House District 43

• Rep. Vincent Pierre from Lafayette representing House District 44

• Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan from Lafayette representing House District 45

• Rep. Blake Miguez from Erath representing House District 49 

HOUMA AREA LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Bret Allain from Franklin representing Senate District 21

• Rep. Beryl Adams Amedee from Houma representing House District 51

• Rep. Jerome ‘Zee’ Zeringue from Houma representing House District 52

• Rep. Tanner Magee from Houma representing House District 53

CAPITOL REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Ed Price  from Gonzales representing Senate District 2

• Sen. Mack ‘Bodi’ White from Baton Rouge representing Senate District 6

• Rep. Edmond Jordan from Baton Rouge representing House District 29

• Rep. Tony Bacala from Prairieville representing House District 59

• Rep. Valarie Hodges from Denham Springs representing House District 64

• Rep. Barry Ivey from Baton Rouge representing House District 65 

• Rep. Rick Edmonds from Baton Rouge representing House District 66

• Rep. Paula Davis from Baton Rouge representing House District 69

• Rep. Clay Schexnayder from Gonzales representing House District 81

NORTH SHORE REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Beth Mizell from Franklinton representing Senate District 12

• Rep. Mark Wright from Covington representing House District 77

• Rep. Mary DuBuisson from Slidell representing House District 90 

• Rep. Sherman Mack from Albany representing House District 95

• Rep. Paul Hollis from Covington representing House District 104

NEW ORLEANS REGION LEGISLATORS:

• Sen. Sharon Hewitt from Slidell representing Senate District 1

• Rep. Gregory Miller from Norco representing House District 56 

• Rep. Polly Thomas from Metairie representing House District 80  

• Rep. Jimmy Harris from New Orleans representing House District 99

• Rep. Gary Carter from New Orleans representing House District 102

• Rep. Ray Garofalo from Chalmette representing House District 103

• Rep. Chris Leopold from Belle Chasse representing House District 105 

About the Louisiana Oil And Gas Political Action Committee: 

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee (LOGPAC) is the political arm of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. LOGPAC exists due to businesses facing constant threats posed by litigation, over regulation, and excessive taxation. To protect against such threats, the oil and gas industry needs a large, efficient and unified representation to make their voices heard. LOGPAC looks to support candidates and legislators that celebrate Louisiana’s oil and gas industry.

"Honor Code" Sides with "The Squad" Rather Than President Trump

For all the BS that “Honor Code” John Bel Edwards spouts about being a moderate Democrat, this one post regarding tweets sent out by President Trump speak otherwise. Gov. Edwards has come down on the side of the anti-semites, anti-American crew of whack jobs otherwise known as “The Squad”

When November gets closer and closer, you’ll surely see him try to promote some conservative credentials. Don’t let this man fool you; he’s another liberal Democrat trying to hide in sheep’s clothing.

LAGOP: Led by Governor Edwards, Louisiana is the Most Violent State in America

Louisiana also named “Solitary Confinement Capital of the World”

Photo source: New York Magazine

Baton Rouge, LA – New state rankings, published by USA Today found that Louisiana, under the failed leadership of Governor John Bel Edwards, is the most violent state in America. The team at USA Today used the four metrics below to calculate their state rankings:

• Violent crime rate: 557.0 per 100,000 residents (4th highest)

• Murder rate: 12.4 per 100,000 residents (the highest)

• Incarceration rate: 719 per 100,000 residents (the highest)

• 2018 unemployment: 4.9% (3rd highest)

Under Governor Edwards, Louisiana has the highest murder rate in the United States. There were 12.4 murders in the state for every 100,000 residents in 2017 –making Louisiana the only state where murders were more than twice as common as they were nationwide. For reference, the national murder rate was 5.3 incidents per 100,000 people.

Murders in Louisiana are disproportionately concentrated in urban areas, with the New Orleans Metro Area topping the list of U.S. cities with the most gun violence.

Don’t worry, Governor Edwards says we are on the right path!

Last month, the American Civil Liberties Union of Louisiana and Loyola’s Jesuit Social Research Institute joined with Solitary Watch to publish “Louisiana on Lockdown”, A Report on the Use of Solitary Confinement in Louisiana State Prisons, With Testimony from the People Who Live It. After researching the operation of Louisiana prisons under Governor Edwards, this report found “it is clear that Louisiana holds the title of solitary confinement capital of the WORLD.”

“When it conducted a full count in the fall of 2017, the Louisiana Department of Public Safety and Corrections (LADOC) reported that 19 percent of the men in its state prisons—2,709 in all—had been in solitary confinement for more than two weeks. Many had been there for years or even decades. These rates of solitary confinement use were more than double the next highest state’s, and approximately four times the national average.”

Governor Edwards has a unique family interest in the Louisiana Prison system. He is quick to campaign on the fact that his family of sheriffs has operated the Tangipahoa Parish Prison across four generations or more. Currently, his brother Sheriff Daniel Edwards is overwhelmed by federal investigations into the operations and issues at the Tangipahoa Parish Prison.

Now we all just sit back and wait for the Governor to blame Bobby Jindal.

LOGA Releases 2019 Elections Tracking Platform “www.GeauxElections.com”

BATON ROUGE, LA (July 16, 2019) — Today, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA) released its new elections website, GeauxElections.com. LOGA created www.geauxelections.com to inform Louisianians about the candidates seeking election this fall.

“This fall this state will witness a sea change in the legislature due to term limits. Louisiana and its hard working families can’t afford to be uninformed about this election cycle,” said Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “Our new website will allow anyone to access the site and see who is running in their parish, along with which pro-business industry group has given their endorsement. This election day, October 12th, is a crucial day in Louisiana and will determine the trajectory of our state.”

LOGA is pleased to provide this free platform, GeauxElections.com, to the public, which provides helpful contact information for the candidates seeking office on October 12th. The platform currently tracks all House and Senate races by parish and legislative district and publishes campaign websites, email addresses, phone numbers, Facebook pages, Twitter handles, and Instagram accounts. GeauxElections.com also tracks state-wide races, such as the Governor and the Attorney General’s Office. Voters are encouraged to bookmark GeauElections.com on their phone or computer for ease of use during the elections.

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

LAGOP: Louisiana Gets Soaked as John Bel Edwards Shifts Campaign to Taxpayer Dollars

Baton Rouge, LA – It was clear this weekend that John Bel Edwards didn’t suspend his campaign, he just traded in the RV for a helicopter. And he made sure to save a seat on the helicopter for one of the reporters covering the Governor’s race. Before Barry even had a name, Governor Edwards announced that he would reschedule the rest of his campaign kickoff RV tour.

His campaign staff couldn’t help themselves. They immediately took to social media and started patting themselves on the back.

Their campaign team quickly handed the reigns to the communications staff for the Governor’s Office, who kept right on campaigning. Trying to soak up all the free media coverage that comes with any natural disaster and taking to Twitter to celebrate their success.

Yes, while the residents of Louisiana were scrambling to prepare for inches of rain and storm damage, the Governor’s Deputy Chief of Staff is bragging about column inches and media coverage. Real classy. But it sure looks like that taxpayer funded helicopter ride paid off.

Those Louisiana residents, searching for the latest weather information, who grew tired of press conferences and staged photo-ops, turned to the Weather Channel for information or maybe their local news…where they were met with JBE’s campaign commercial.

When the Governor wasn’t flying members of the press to his staged photos-ops and wasn’t paying the Weather Channel to show his campaign commercial. He was holding press conferences where at times it appeared, he could barely contain his love for the media spotlight.

Between a press conferences, Governor Edwards was busy making sure he stayed in front the media, by calling into CNN and MSNBC multiple times over the weekend. How many Louisiana residents get their severe weather news from CNN and MSNBNC?

The Governor’s Office originally announced that he would be touring the impacted areas on Sunday but had to cancel those plans because it was too windy to take the helicopter.

Hey Governor, if you really wanted to tour the impacted areas on Sunday, we know where you can find a brand-new RV that isn’t being used.

Of course, this tour had little to do with surveying damage and everything to do with staying in front of the cameras for as long as they will let him. Which is exactly why a new member of the media got offered a free ride on today’s helicopter tour and “press gaggles” were pre-planned for every stop.

When severe weather strikes Louisiana, the real news story is the local men and women who brave the storm to help their neighbors. Not the guy in a different colored, custom embroidered fishing/disaster shirt thrusting himself in front of cameras and microphones from a secure location.

Thank you to the first responders. Thank you to the Louisiana National Guard. Thank you to the local city and parish workers. Thank you to the electrical lineworkers and pump operators. We appreciate the long hours you spent getting Louisiana ready for this weekend and the work you are doing this week to get our communities cleaned up.

Thank you for working when the cameras aren’t running.

###
 

LANDRY: Utilize the National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) Following Barry

Attorney General Jeff Landry, Louisiana, provided the below information on Twitter today regarding scam artists and natural disasters. Good information following our recent experience with Hurricane Barry.

Unfortunately, natural disasters attract con artists & scammers hoping to prey on people who are down on their luck. The National Center for Disaster Fraud (NCDF) has a hotline set up for you to confidentially report suspected disaster related fraud!

NUNGESSER: Never A Good Thing to See Cantore

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser took to Twitter to share a photo of himself with Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel today.

It's never a good thing when you see @JimCantore @weatherchannel but glad to call him a friend. pic.twitter.com/hOS9o9AlI4

— Office of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser (@LouisianaLtGov) July 12, 2019

LANDRY: State of Emergency Declaration Puts Price Gouging Laws in Effect

Photo source: Facebook

BATON ROUGE, LA – With the Governor declaring a state of emergency, Attorney General Jeff Landry encourages Louisiana consumers to be conscious of price gouging.  

“It is an unfortunate reality that some people and businesses attempt to take advantage of consumers during and after natural disasters,” said General Landry. “I strongly encourage consumers who suspect price gouging to contact their local law enforcement agencies."

Read more: State of Emergency Declaration Puts Price Gouging Laws in Effect

Oil Workers Evacuate GOM Rigs as Storm Strengthens

Photo source: Rigzone

The storm’s forecast track means it will have more time over warm Gulf waters that will fuel its strength, said Jim Rouiller, chief meteorologist at the Energy Weather Group in Philadelphia.

In addition to wind, the system is expected to swamp coastal areas of Louisiana with a life-threatening storm surge. Cotton, orange juice and sugar all rose on fears that the storm will disrupt supply.

Read more: Oil Workers Evacuate GOM Rigs as Storm Strengthens

Clay Higgins Shares Personal Experiences Regarding Obamacare

On a recent visit to Fox News, Congressman Clay Higgins from Louisiana’s 3rd Congressional District shared his personal experiences with the train wreck called Obamacare. Higgins described the decisions that that he and his family had to make regarding groceries or insurance during his time as a law enforcement official..

LCCM Announces Endorsements for Fall Elections

Continues Plan for Conservative Senate and Solidifying Conservative House

BATON ROUGE, LA - The Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority announces new endorsements for legislatives races to be decided in the 2019 fall elections. Those endorsements are:

Heather Cloud, Senate District 28

Robert Mills, Senate District 36

Stewart Cathey Jr., Senate District 33

Senator Beth Mizell, Senate District 12

Mike Reese, Senate District 30

Reggie Bagala, House District 54

Daryl Deshotel, House District 28

Rick Edmonds, House District 66

Michael Echols, House District 14

The Louisiana Coalition for a Conservative Majority (LCCM) previously LCRM, the Louisiana Committee for a Republican Majority, has had a powerful impact on the Louisiana Legislature, helping turn what was once Democrat-held chambers into strong Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate. LCCM raised $3.7 million over the previous two cycles and has raised over $1.25 million this cycle. 

Last year LCCM made early endorsements in the following State Senate races:

State Representative Cameron Henry, Senate District 9

State Representative Kirk Talbot, Senate District 10

State Representative Reid Falconer, Senate District 11

Businessman Michael Fesi, Senate District 20 

Now is the time that LCCM plans to hold conservatives accountable. With its most recent round of endorsements, LCCM will build on previous wins of LCCM supported candidates this cycle, now Representatives John Stefanski, Raymond Crews, Mike Johnson, and Chris Turner. Additionally, LCCM submarined a surging Democrat turned Independent in St. Tammany, assisting in electing now Representative Mark Wright. 

John Schroder, Another Louisiana Hero Fighting JBE's Corrupt Administration

In what is turning out to be a lesson in not taking what doesn’t belong to you, Louisiana Treasurer, John Schroder, has denied “Honor Code” the ability to raid yet another “piggy bank” in the state, the unclaimed property account. Schroder is the guardian of unclaimed monies for the citizens of Louisiana, which is in this account. However, it seems like the hogs in Baton Rouge have, for years, raided this account to plug holes in the general budget.

Treasurer John Schroder said he won’t let Louisiana spend $25 million from the state’s unclaimed property account for general operating expenses this year, calling the regularly used financing mechanism illegal.

The decision threatens to create a hole in the state budget only a month after lawmakers finished crafting it.

Louisiana collects unclaimed dollars from old savings accounts, payroll checks, stocks and dividends, insurance proceeds, oil royalty payments and utility deposits on behalf of residents who are owed the cash. The treasurer’s office, designated as the custodian of the unclaimed property, tries to locate people and return the money.

Though governors and lawmakers for decades have spent money from the unclaimed property escrow account on programs and services, Schroder said he and his office’s lawyers don’t believe Louisiana law permits the transfers.

Read more: Louisiana treasurer withholding $25M planned for budget

RGA: Left Behind

The Republican Governors Association’s PAC, Right Direction, has issued the latest video in the campaign to defeat “Honor Code” John Bel Edwards.

This Needs to be Campaign Issue #1 in “Honor Code’s” Re-Election

Edwards signed criminal justice reform legislation in June of 2017. The state’s prison population currently sits at approximately 32,000. We are in a virtual tie with Oklahoma as the incarceration capital of the United States. The state’s prison population reached an all-time high of 40,170 in 2012.

At the end of 2017, Louisiana had a violent crime rate of 566 such crimes per 100,000, according to the FBI. In 2018, the first full year of criminal justice reform, the state’s violent crime rate dropped slightly to 557 per 100,000. That makes Louisiana the 47th most violent state in the nation.

Unfortunately, our 30-continuous years of holding the title of the state with the highest murder rate per capita went unchallenged in 2018.

Read more: Dan Fagan: Thanks to so-called Louisiana justice reform, bad criminals get our early