FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 9th, 2019
(Baton Rouge, LA) As legislators gather in Baton Rouge for the start of the 2020 Legislative Session, the Republican Party of Louisiana (LAGOP) calls upon Governor Edwards to work with Republican legislators to pass real reforms that will move Louisiana forward.
Since winning re-election on his campaign promise to be a bi-partisan leader, Governor Edwards has proposed an agenda that runs counter to the reforms Republicans and voters desperately want. As a result, Governor Edwards is failing to be the bi-partisan leader he promised to be during his campaign.
The LAGOP believes this kind of blatant manipulation of voters is undignified for the office Governor Edwards holds. "We hope that Governor Edwards' will fulfill the wishes of Louisiana's voters by supporting positive reforms proposed by conservative legislators," commented LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich, "Governor Edwards must support true reforms that will move Louisiana forward."
LLAW: New report shows toll of civil court costs on Louisiana’s economy
Via press release from Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch
Baton Rouge – Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) today released the 2019-20 Economic Benefits of Tort Reform, an assessment measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on Louisiana’s economy. The study, conducted by The Perryman Group for Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA), found that Louisiana is losing jobs and revenue because of the state’s civil justice system. The assessment included extensive survey data, industry information and a variety of corroborative source material. The Perryman Group analyzed outcomes in the state using Ohio, which has engaged in notable tort reform in the recent past, as a benchmark.
The total current impact of excessive tort costs on the Louisiana economy amounts to estimated losses of $1.9 billion in annual output (gross product). This amounts to about 19,800 lost jobs and losses of $1.2 billion annually in personal income for hard working Louisianans. This reduction in business activity due to civil justice costs leads to lower than expected gross product, which results in a hidden “tort tax” of $412.17 per person. All major industry groups are negatively impacted, with retail trade, business services, health services and other service industries showing the greatest losses. Yearly fiscal losses (as of 2019) are estimated at $100.3 million in state revenues and $84 million to local governments. These effects are based on the current size of the state’s population and economy and can be expected to rise over time in the absence of meaningful civil justice reforms.
The assessment found that an inadequately balanced justice system can be counterproductive. A system that generates exorbitant levels of damages or numbers of awards may result in negative impacts through the misallocation of society’s scarce economic and human resources. Some of these negative effects include increased costs and risks of doing business in an area; disincentives for innovations which promote consumer welfare; enhanced incentives to file lawsuits of questionable merit resulting in increased inefficiencies; higher insurance premiums than would exist under a more balanced approach; and increased health care costs and declining availability of medical services, among others.
“These findings clearly show that civil justice reform must be a priority in Louisiana. Frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant plaintiff awards impact all sectors of our economy. These job-killing lawsuits hurt Louisiana families, and in addition, economic opportunities are driven away while resulting costs are passed down in the form of higher prices for goods and services,” said LLAW Executive Director Lana Venable.
Civil justice reforms that have resulted in the greatest reduction in losses are those aimed at reducing frivolous lawsuits, capping appeal bonds, setting negligence standards and limiting non-economic damages. These reforms have been shown to enhance innovation and increase productivity, as well as to improve judicial efficiency and economic performance.
According to the assessment, when working properly, the judicial system provides a critical institutional framework that provides a fair and equitable forum for resolving disputes, compensates plaintiffs who have been legitimately harmed and deters undesirable behavior.
“A healthy legal system should ensure fairness for both truly impaired individuals and small and large businesses operating in Louisiana. Imbalances in the system lead to unpredictability for consumers and businesses, costing jobs and resulting in constrained economic growth,” according to Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense Executive Director Karen Eddlemon.
Louisiana was ranked 49th in the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 2019 Lawsuit Abuse Climate Survey, which measures the reasonability and balance of each states’ tort liability systems. Louisiana also earned the number four ranking in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s 2019-20 Judicial Hellholes Report based on systematic application of civil laws and court procedures.
Luke Letlow Enters Race for Louisiana's 5th Congressional District
Photo source: Twitter
Chief of Staff of retiring Congressman Ralph Abraham, Luke Letlow, has announced his intention on winning the seat being vacated by his former boss.
In a Twitter post, which can be seen below, Letlow announces his candidacy for the 5th Congressional District in Louisiana.
In announcing his candidacy, Letlow had the following to say:
“I’m proud to have stood alongside Congressman Ralph Abraham during his time in Congress, and to have worked with him to fight for our families, farmers and businesses,” Letlow said in a statement. “I’m launching my campaign for Congress today to continue that record of results for Louisiana and keep our economy moving forward. We’re just getting started.”
Read more: Abraham's chief of staff seeks Louisiana congressional seat
Hear SCOTUS Arguments on Louisiana’s Women's Health Law
On Wednesday, March 4, 2020, the Supreme Court heard arguments regarding Louisiana Act 620, a bipartisan bill signed into law in this state that is designed to protect women’s health.
Audio of the arguments can be found at the below link.
Oral Argument - Audio - June Medical Services L.L.C. v. Russo
Docket Number: 18-1323
Date Argued: 03/04/20
Louisiana Attorney General Calls On Gov Edwards To Condemn Schumer’s ‘Dangerous And Divisive’ Remarks
Photo source: Landry for Louisiana
“Senator Schumer should immediately apologize to Justice Gorsuch, Justice Kavanaugh, and the entire Supreme Court,” Landry said in a statement provided to the Daily Caller News Foundation.
“Schumer’s threats were dangerous and divisive, something all reasonable people can agree upon,” he added. “Governor John Bel Edwards should put politics aside and join me in calling for the Senator to apologize.”
LANDRY: Defending Life and Women at SCOTUS
This morning, Attorney General Jeff Landry went before the Supreme Court to defend Louisiana’s law requiring admitting privileges for doctors who perform abortion. The below was posted to Landry’s Facebook page:
TODAY, AT THE SUPREME COURT I WILL DEFEND LOUISIANA'S PRO-LIFE AND PRO-WOMEN LAW ON ABORTION. This morning I am with Louisiana Solicitor General Elizabeth Murrill from my official office as we go before the Supreme Court of the United States defending Louisiana's bipartisan pro-life and pro-women law requiring hospital admitting privileges for those performing abortions. Abortionists should not escape these common sense regulations.
Socialism Would Destroy Prescription Drug Markets
Americans deserve lower prices for prescription drugs. But we also need newer and better drugs that treat chronic illness and keep us healthier. The free market is the only tool that can deliver both lower prices and new, effective medicines. Socialism can’t and won’t.
This matters today, because unfortunately, the Trump administration may soon be swayed by the idea that is has to “do something,” and that something may end up being the imposition of price controls.
As the 2020 election looms, Trump’s Health and Human Services department is pushing something called the “International Pricing Index.” IPI would imports price controls from socialist nations and impose them in the U.S. That might lower prices for a few months, but it would cause harm in the long term.
For proof, just look at gasoline.
Read more: Socialism Would Destroy Prescription Drug Markets
Importing Socialism
One of the first things President Trump did after being elected was to take a pair of pliers to the teeth of socialized medicine — Obamacare — and rescind the “shared responsibility payment” — the massive fine applied to Americans who wanted nothing to do with socialized medicine and the costs it imposed.
By getting rid of the “shared responsibility payment,” the president effectively got rid of Obamacare’s “individual mandate” to buy into socialized medicine, undermining the whole thing. So it’s ironic — and tragic — that the president who worked to get rid of homegrown medical socialism is importing socialized medicine from abroad.
To be fair, it may not be the president who’s working to import medical socialism. It’s the permanent bureaucracy — a.k.a. the swamp.
Which the president famously promised to drain.
Read more: Importing Socialism
End Surprise Medical Billing
Photo source: National Review
Surprise medical bills are one of the most visible health-care problems for the 200 million Americans who have insurance through their jobs or on the individual market, and Congress should act to fix it. If Congress cannot address even obvious market failures in private health care, a federal takeover of our entire health-care sector will become that much more attractive.
Last month, the Senate’s health committee passed the Lower Health Care Costs Act, by a vote of 20–3, to end this practice. Here’s how it works.
Read more: End Surprise Medical Billing
HIGGINS: PRIORITIZING SOUTH LOUISIANA WATERWAYS
This week, I testified before the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee on the importance of our water infrastructure and water management systems. South Louisiana leads the nation in waterborne commerce, and the health of our waterways is critical for continued economic expansion and flood mitigation efforts. We should continue to invest in our ports, waterways, and water management systems. These projects support thousands upon thousands of jobs and hundreds of billions of dollars in economic activity across Louisiana.
Clay Higgins - LA-03
Even "Honor Code's" Buddies at The Advocate Think It's Time For Tort Reform
Photo source: Louisiana Dept. of Insurance
Drive most places in Louisiana and you’ll see a lot of reasons for our rating as No. 2 in America in the cost of car insurance.
Whether it’s aggressive — to the point of reckless — driving, or tons of people texting and chatting on phones instead of concentrating on the road, or for that matter, crappy roads filled with holes and unsuited to heavy traffic, Louisiana earns its high insurance costs every day.
That’s because accidents and, all too often, medical costs from injuries, are part of the cost-basis for insurance companies. They must charge enough in premiums to pay claims and have a profit, or they won’t stay in business very long.
Read more: Our Views: Lower car insurance by fixing trial lawyers' gamed system
Solving Surprise Medical Billing Through Market-Based Rates Gets Bipartisan Love
New recommendations from the Bipartisan Policy Center zero in on surprise medical bills and the need to tackle these unfair charges as part of a system-wide approach to addressing unsustainable health costs. The bipartisan group of health care experts — led by former Sens. Tom Daschle and Bill Frist, M.D. — noted that the best way to safeguard patients from bankrupting charges is through a local, market-based approach that ties out-of-network reimbursement to the median in-network rate.
We agree — as do leading unions, employers, consumer groups and policy experts.
Read more: Solving Surprise Medical Billing Through Market-Based Rates Gets Bipartisan Love
AG Jeff Landry: Louisiana joins multistate investigation into JUUL Labs
“As a father, I am deeply troubled by the alarming number of middle school and high school students using e-cigarettes,” said General Landry. “As the Attorney General, I will continue to do all that I legally can to protect children and make our state safer,” Landry said.
Landry says even though cigarette usage has dramatically dropped among youth, vaping rates continue to skyrocket.
Read more: AG Jeff Landry: Louisiana joins multistate investigation into JUUL Labs
GURVICH: LAGOP Saddened on Retirement of Congressman Ralph Abraham
We at the Republican Party of Louisiana are saddened to learn of Congressman Ralph Abraham’s decision not to run for re-election for his LA District 5 seat. For six years Congressman Abraham has defended the interests of District 5 tirelessly. His relentless advocacy on behalf of his constituents has meant improvements in their quality of life, access to economic opportunities, and defense of their values.
Among his many achievements as a Representative, Congressman Abraham was able to successfully usher in an expansion of Louisiana’s Rice and Agricultural industries. He achieved this by sponsoring legislation that enabled Louisiana’s agricultural goods to be sold in ever-growing international markets. As a member of the Armed Services, Agriculture, Veteran’s Affairs, and Science, Space, and Technology Committees, Congressman Abraham always applied his vast knowledge and deep passion to solving issues and supporting legislation to make America stronger and a better place for our citizens to live and raise their families.
A true servant leader to his bones, Congressman Abraham has always been a man of his word. Whether that meant continuing to defend our nation through service in the Air Force, serving his patients as a doctor, or staying true to his commitments to the voters, he has earned his place as one of Louisiana’s most honest and trustworthy politicians.Though we at the Republican Party of Louisiana are sad to see Congressman Abraham leave Washington, we are inspired by his determination to end his congressional career by keeping his original promise to the voters that he would only serve three terms.
With his departure, Washington D.C. will be left one-honest man short. On behalf of the Republican Party of Louisiana, I would like to thank this modern Cincinnatus for his service to District 5, the State of Louisiana, and the United States of America. Well done, sir!
Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana
Ralph Abraham Announces Retirement from US House After Current Term is Completed
Congressman Ralph Abraham has announced that he will retire his seat in the US House of Representatives at the completion of his current term. The announcement was made on Facebook and can be found below:
BRIGGS: How to Usher in Louisiana’s Roaring 2020s
Gifford Briggs,
President, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association
February 24, 2020
The Roaring 20’s were a time of unprecedented economic prosperity in America. A century has since passed. Can Louisiana and its oil and gas industry experience roaring economic prosperity once more?
Let’s take a look. One hundred years later, our nation’s economy is booming. Unemployment is at record lows, the stock market is at record highs, and it seems that everywhere you look, President Trump’s business acumen has acted like a shot of adrenaline for America.
Energy producers are no exception. Reforms of rules and regulations that had previously hindered industry growth have expanded offshore drilling, streamlined the pipeline permitting process, and made the United States an oil and gas powerhouse once again.
Is that federal leadership enough to usher in a roaring 20’s decade for our state?
Considering our natural blessings, we are well-positioned for prosperity. Louisiana’s trifecta of oil and gas assets are a case in point. First is Louisiana’s natural gas giant: The Haynesville Shale. Recently Louisiana’s northwest formation had the second-highest new-well gas production per rig in the nation. Our abundant resources don’t stop there - we are also home to assets in the Gulf of Mexico and vast resources ready to be tapped in South Louisiana.
Secondly, the Bayou State has a strong and expansive pipeline infrastructure. Pipelines are the safest, most secure way to transport product across vast distances. New York is now facing pricing, employment, and development woes simply because they do not have the pipeline capacity or willingness to move resources.
Finally, our LNG export capacity is a strength unique to our state: instead of simply refining natural gas, we now liquefy and export it all over the globe. LSU’s Center for Energy Studies estimates that Louisiana’s LNG projects could total nearly $100 billion in capital investment, potentially ushering in 20,000 construction jobs and 1,500 full-time jobs at Louisiana terminals once completed.
These three key assets have positioned Louisiana to play a defining role in the United States’ move toward permanent energy independence in the global market, but considering our current realities more must be done on a state level by Louisiana leadership to enable our oil and gas industry to succeed.
South Louisiana energy activity continues to lag behind energy-producing regions all over the country. Our toxic legal environment and tax structure have crippled investment, taking Louisiana families away from the state in droves. It is time we bring them back.
But how?
We can learn from other oil and gas producing states. Our Lone Star neighbor has undertaken strategic, long term measures to fix its’ legal and regulatory framework, and they now boast a simpler tax environment. As a result, they have experienced steady investment both inside and outside of the oil and gas industry, and families all over the nation are becoming newly adopted Texans.
Perhaps we are learning from our prospering neighbors and will experience that decade of strong Louisiana growth. In the gall of 2019, Louisiana voters sent a strong message to the capitol that we want bold action for a better Louisiana. It’s time for change.
This newly elected body of legislators has the momentum and vision necessary to tackle substantive reforms. They have the potential to put an end to the rampant lawsuit abuse that has put a moratorium on oil and gas investment and turned Louisiana communities into ghost towns. They have the potential to transform our tax structure, making it fairer, more competitive, and attractive to outside businesses. They have the potential to get Louisiana’s oil and gas industry roaring again.
LOGA sees great opportunities arising and is optimistic about what is possible in the coming year. From the 4th floor to the House and Senate floors, we are looking forward to working with everyone to create the nation’s leading oil and gas industry and ushering in Louisiana’s very own roaring 2020s.
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu Met with Visiting Republican Congressmen Mike Johnson of Louisiana and Jim Jordan of Ohio
Photo source: The Jerusalem Post
The two politicians also met with Strategic Affairs Minister Gilad Erdan in the Psagot settlement, where he spoke with them about the importance of Jewish prayer on the Temple Mount and how people of all faiths should be able to pray there.
Read more: NETANYAHU MEETS WITH REPUBLICANS AFTER TEMPLE MOUNT VISIT
More Proof of What We Do Wrong in Louisiana
The following report gives a graphic representation of over burdensome regulations in place regarding occupational activities in the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana licenses 77 of the 102 lower-income occupations studied here. Its laws are the 43rd most burdensome, requiring, on average, $360 in fees, 202 days of education and experience, and roughly two exams. Because Louisiana licenses so many of the occupations studied in this report—tying with Washington for the most occupations licensed—it ranks as the sixth most broadly and onerously licensed state.
Louisiana imposes burdens on some occupations that seem excessive compared to those for other occupations that may present greater risks to the public. For example, the barriers to opening a fire alarm or security alarm installation business in Louisiana are extremely high, even though not every state licenses them. Alarm installers must pay over $1,400 in fees, demonstrate more than five years (over 1,800 days) of education and experience, and pass four exams. EMTs meanwhile need only pay $110 in fees, complete 110 hours (roughly 26 days) of education and pass two exams for licensure.
Louisiana also licenses several occupations that are rarely licensed by other states. For example, it is one of just four states to license interior designers—the most arduously licensed occupation in this study. It requires $1,240 in fees, six years (2,190 days) of education and one exam. Louisiana is also the only state to license florists and is joined by just four other states in licensing non-instructional teacher assistants and by six others in licensing tree trimmers. As one of the two states that license the most occupations studied here, Louisiana could substantially improve its rankings by repealing these and other occupational licenses, or—if government regulation is necessary—by replacing them with less restrictive regulatory alternatives.
Read more: License to Work - Louisiana
CITIZENS FOR LOUISIANA JOB CREATORS: Right to Bear Arms Wins in Louisiana Today!
Photo source: Facebook
Today during the Louisiana Bond Commission, statewide elected officials including Attorney General Jeff Landry, Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin and Treasurer John Schroder once again defended Louisianians 2nd Amendment rights when they denied anti-2A banks the opportunity to do business in Louisiana.
This issue first came to light in 2018 when the self appointed social police Citigroup and Bank of America quit financing certain gun manufactures. The Louisiana Bond Commission took issue with these practices and decided they'd no longer do business with these groups because their policies infringed on the 2nd Amendment rights of Louisianians.
Louisiana is lucky to have these three leaders defending our rights! Thank you AG Landry, Secretary Ardoin and Treasurer Schroder!
Trump acquitted in Senate impeachment trial with votes from Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy
WASHINGTON — Louisiana's Republican U.S. senators helped acquit President Donald Trump in his impeachment trial, both voting "not guilty" on articles of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy, R-Baton Rouge, and U.S. Sen. John Kennedy, R-Madisonville, had signaled they wouldn't support removing Trump from office over allegations that he leveraged military aid to Ukraine while having urged its president to announce it would investigate Joe Biden and his son Hunter Biden.
Read more: Trump acquitted in Senate impeachment trial with votes from Bill Cassidy, John Kennedy
