Catholic Bishops’ Pro-Life Chairman Says Supreme Court Decision Continues Cruel Precedent of Prioritizing Abortion Business Interests Over Women’s Health and Safety

June 29, 2020

WASHINGTON– Today, the Supreme Court of the United States announced its decision in an abortion case out of Louisiana, June Medical Services v. Russo. The Court ruled 5 to 4 to strike down the Louisiana law that requires abortion doctors to have hospital admitting privileges. Archbishop Joseph F. Naumann of Kansas City in Kansas and chairman of the U.S. Conference of Catholic Bishops’ (USCCB) Committee for Pro-Life Activities issued the following statement:

“Abortion violently ends the life of a child, and often severely harms women. Abortion becomes even more destructive when basic health and safety standards are ignored, and profit margins are prioritized over women’s lives. As Catholics, we condemn abortion as a grave injustice that denies the fundamental human right to life. Yet even as we seek to end the brutality of legalized abortion, we still believe that the women who seek it should not be further harmed and abused by a callous, profit-driven industry.

“The Court’s failure to recognize the legitimacy of laws prioritizing women’s health and safety over abortion business interests continues a cruel precedent. As we grieve this decision and the pregnant women who will be harmed by it, we continue to pray and fight for justice for mothers and children.

“We will not rest until the day when the Supreme Court corrects the grave injustice of Roe and Casey and recognizes the Constitutional right to life for unborn human beings. And we continue to ask all people of faith to pray for women seeking abortion, often under enormous pressure, that they will find alternatives that truly value them and the lives of their children.”

The USCCB filed an amicus curae brief in the case along with the Louisiana Conference of Catholic Bishops and the National Association of Evangelicals urging the Court to uphold the law.  The brief can be viewed here: http://www.usccb.org/about/general-counsel/amicus-briefs/upload/18-1323-USCCB-amicus-June-Med-v-Gee-12-30-2019.pdf

LANDRY: SCOTUS DECISION PLACES ‘ACCESS’ TO ABORTION ABOVE HEALTH AND SAFETY

TODAY, THE SUPREME COURT CONTINUED ITS HEARTBREAKING LINE OF DECISIONS THAT PLACES ‘ACCESS’ TO ABORTION ABOVE THE HEALTH AND SAFETY OF WOMEN AND GIRLS.

By putting precedent over patients, Justice Roberts gave his vote to a decision that ignored the overwhelming bipartisan support of Act 620 and the extensive record of Louisiana abortion providers’ history of medical malpractice, disciplinary actions, and violations of health and safety standards.

It is deeply disappointing that the Chief Justice continues a pattern of inconsistent and groundless decisions. In his misguided effort to convince the public that the Supreme Court is not political, Justice Roberts shows how political it actually is. Just four years ago, he joined the dissenters in Hellerstedt, which struck down Texas’s law; today, the Chief Justice openly acknowledges that case was wrong but then applies it anyway. He picks and choses from a stare decisis “buffet” to avoid admitting his Court is fallible. This is not justice – this is judge-made law at its worst.

Continuing to perpetuate judge-made rules that have no constitutional basis is bad for our country. It is this egregiously wrong practice that maintained decisions like Plessy, Dred Scott, and Korematsu for so long. And it reveals how far removed the Supreme Court’s abortion jurisprudence has become from the rules that apply to all other litigants. We are past due for a course correction.

When laws are passed with nearly unanimous bipartisan support by the elected representatives of a state and with undisputed proof of dangerous conditions and substandard abortion providers, but they cannot survive judicial review – something is drastically wrong with the Court’s case law on this subject.

I will continue to pray for all women and girls who will be exposed to the incompetent abortionists that put profits over people; and I will keep doing all that I legally can to protect the unborn, their mothers, and all Louisiana women.”

Jeff Landry
Attorney General - State of Louisiana

MILLS: SCOTUS Chooses Abortionists Over Women's Health Care Standards

The United States Supreme Court has ruled, 5-to-4, against the Louisiana law in June Medical Services v. Russo. This case was about state lawmakers instituting basic health and safety laws to protect women. The question was whether abortionists can bully their way out of following the rules that apply to everyone else. 

I am disappointed once again in the liberals on the U.S. Supreme Court and their newest ally, Chief Justice John Roberts, who decided against women and invalidated Louisiana’s admitting privileges law. The Court was wrong in failing to recognize the right of states to ensure access to quality emergency medical care.

Still, we are very proud of Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, Solicitor General, Liz Murrill, and former Representative/current Senator Katrina Jackson (D-Monroe), who authored the 2014 legislation that received broad bipartisan support. It is unfortunate that the Supreme Court failed to recognize the sovereign rights of states to govern in a manner which protects women’s safety. Apparently, the U.S. Supreme Court has another agenda and will continue to retain the unconstitutional and illegitimate Roe v. Wade decision. Protecting the unborn child’s right to life is the greatest human rights issue of our time. We must stand firm in the fight.

Louisiana enacted this law to protect women from the abortion businesses and their history of dirty and dangerous abortions by requiring abortion doctors—like doctors at all Louisiana free standing clinics – to be able to admit and treat their patients at nearby hospitals if the need arises. This ensures that doctors performing abortions will be competent and provide continuity of care to their patients.

This decision sends a dangerous message to states, which have the duty to prioritize women’s health and safety over abortion business interests. All states—including Louisiana—have a valid interest in regulating abortion and a duty to protect the health and safety of women. Today’s dangerous and medically substandard abortion clinics harm women. Louisiana abortion providers went to extraordinary lengths to erase a law that promotes the wellbeing of women. The Supreme Court should have put an end to this.

Abortion doctors regularly place profits over patients. The Court failed to recognize that when abortion providers seek to overturn health and safety laws enacted to protect women, they are not operating in women’s best interests. The Court missed a chance to end this conflict of interest that rewards abortion businesses at the expense of women.

Please remain in prayer for our nation -- that our Court will soon see the evil of abortion and abandon the untenable position of defending those who take innocent lives.

In His Service, 
Gene Mills
President
Louisiana Family Forum

GURVICH: GOP to Lead The Charge

There is much news to report since our last meeting in February. Still, I’d like to open this newsletter by wishing everyone well and letting you know how much I’ve missed the RSCC meetings, the leadership lunches, the RPEC and LFRW meetings, the fundraisers, and most of all the friendship and camaraderie with our members. Surprisingly, the last three months have been the busiest of my chairmanship, but after reading this newsletter, perhaps you’ll understand why. So let’s get started:

Despite three months of lock-down and quarantine, July will shortly arrive to find the American people still beset by a pandemic, economic dislocation, nationwide protests and riots, and rising international threats. Moreover, the opening salvoes are being fired in what promises to be the most contentious and divisive presidential campaign in recent American history, significantly adding to our existing national malaise.

While the past ninety days have certainly challenged us in unique ways, even the most cursory examination of American history reveals that our nation has seen worse, in fact, far worse. Still, as a people, we have always overcome these difficulties and prevailed in the end. Now that is not to say that we will always and inevitably conquer every adversity; our successes have never been automatic. But I do believe that the innate self-confidence, hard work ethic, and love of country which the majority of our citizens still possess, will see us through the present crises.

But politics at the national level is a battle involving tens of millions of people working together to achieve a common goal. Our ultimate victory in this fight depends on the success of the one American political party with a noble and untarnished history, grounded in the ideals of liberty and justice, and possessing the organizational strength necessary to defeat Marxism and anarchism. That party is, of course, the Republican Party, founded in 1854 with the specific goal of ending slavery in America. Never forget that fact, and be proud of who we are.

So the responsibility for leading the country out of the present political, moral, and economic chaos must necessarily fall on us as Republicans- there is no other organization with the means or even the political will to do so. That other major national political party is so mired in self-doubt and moral contradictions of its own making as to be not only incapable of healing the country but mostly responsible for dividing it in the first place!

Our victory in 2020 is not about a few hundred judgeships or even a trillion dollars in the national budget going here instead of there, but rather the survival of the core foundational beliefs upon which our country was founded and upon which our national strength and economic prosperity are based. The issues before us are genuinely momentous, the political battle lines are drawn, and it is our duty as activists to carry our banner proudly and lead the charge!

Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana

11 Republican attorneys general ask Congress to shut down criticism of police

The letter, spearheaded by Alabama Attorney General Steve Marshall and Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, praises law enforcement and asks House and Senate leadership to assist in quelling anti-police sentiments: "We especially rely on you, as the leaders of the most important legislative body in the world, to discourage dangerous disinformation and to help us restore the country’s faith in the overwhelming majority of law-enforcement officers who perform their jobs honorably and bring stability to our cities and states."

The other attorneys general who signed on to the letter were Leslie Rutledge of Arkansas, Curtis Hill of Indiana, Lynn Fitch of Mississippi, Doug Peterson of Nebraska, Wayne Stenehjem of North Dakota, Dave Yost of Ohio, Mike Hunter of Oklahoma, Alan Wilson of South Carolina, and Ken Paxton of Texas. The Western States Sheriffs Association and Southwestern Border Sheriffs Association also signed on to the letter.

The letter can be found here.

Read more: 11 Republican attorneys general ask Congress to shut down criticism of police

LANDRY: Trump Has 200th Judicial Nominee Confirmed

Louisiana Attorney General congratulates President Donald Trump on the successful confirmation of the 200th nominee to the federal bench:

.@POTUS @RealDonaldTrump is reshaping the courts by appointing conservative judges who adhere to the #Constitution and champion the limited government that our #FoundingFathers envisioned! 200 and counting #MAGA https://t.co/JQjLdLsCTL

— Jeff Landry (@JeffLandry) June 24, 2020

BRIGGS: LOUISIANA NEEDS LEGAL REFORM

In the past few months, like all of us, our state’s businesses have been forced to confront the uncertainties of a pandemic and a public health emergency, as well as an unprecedented economic crisis. It’s abundantly clear that we’re facing an enormous challenge, if you look at the data, you see that Louisiana’s unemployment is at the highest since the Great Depression, with massive retractions in the hospitality and oil & gas industries, two of the largest sectors of our state’s economy.

It is also clear that if we don’t also break down the persistent barriers to business growth, our state’s economy will not fully recover. We have to embrace new ideas and solutions to get Louisiana working again. We’ve heard talk from some politicians that all the Legislature needs to do is pass a budget and go home. They couldn’t be more wrong. Simply doing the bare minimum is not enough.

Read more: LOUISIANA NEEDS LEGAL REFORM

Several Louisiana oil and gas companies file for bankruptcy amid coronavirus, low crude oil prices

Two businesses near Lafayette, one in Houma and another in Kenner filed for bankruptcy, all of which appear to be oil and gas services companies. Dozens more Louisiana businesses are owed money by the companies filing for bankruptcy, records show. 

In recent weeks, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association has said about half its 460 member companies have told the organization that bankruptcy was on the table as an option to survive the economic downturn.

Read more: Several Louisiana oil and gas companies file for bankruptcy amid coronavirus, low crude oil prices

Safeguarding the U.S. Supply of Medicines and Medical Products

As the United States and other countries respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, shortages of some medical products, like personal protective equipment (PPE), have led to renewed calls for “Buy American” rules and other measures to “reshore” supply chains. 

Let’s be very clear: The U.S. Chamber of Commerce is laser-focused on making the United States the best place in the world to invest, manufacture, hire, and do business. Before, during, and after the pandemic, we are working around the clock to strengthen American industry here at home. 

But as we debate this issue, we first have to get the facts straight. For example, it’s common to hear that 80% of the pharmaceuticals consumed in the United States come from China, but it happens to be wrong. In fact, 70% of our pharmaceuticals are made in America, and China is the source of less than 1% of all the pharmaceuticals Americans consume.  

Read more: Safeguarding the U.S. Supply of Medicines and Medical Products

Guillory, AG Landry argue in favor of allowing live indoors music despite ban in Phase 2 order

Landry in a letter Friday to State Fire Marshal H. "Butch" Browning Jr., cautions that enforcing the restriction on indoor live music at clubs and other small venues could violate the state constitution. The fire marshal's office is charged with enforcing the reopening guidelines.

Read more: Guillory, AG Landry argue in favor of allowing live indoors music despite ban in Phase 2 order

GOP Delegation Calls for JBE to Fully Open Louisiana

Per Blake Miguez’s Facebook page, several GOP officials in the State of Louisiana have called for fully reopening the state.

Today, we sent a letter to Governor Edwards calling for him to re-open ALL of Louisiana. The state cannot continue to handicap our job creators and working families with separate and confusing rules for different industries. The current piecemeal approach picks winners and losers, crippling small businesses and forcing too many into bankruptcy or closure. Our local small businesses deserve a level playing field. #lalege #reopenlouisiana #reopenamerica

Louisiana Attorney General Writes to Congress to Investigate China’s Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic

In a letter To the U.S. House and Senate Foreign Relations Committee and other Congressional leaders, the 18 Attorney Generals across the United stated have come together to voice their concern. 

“Was there an opportunity to contain this virus at the very early stages of it?” said Landry. “f so why weren’t those steps taken?”

They are asking for Congressional Hearings to help better understand the origins of COVID-19 and efforts by the Chinese government.

Read more: Louisiana Attorney General Writes to Congress to Investigate China’s Role in the COVID-19 Pandemic

LOGA and LMOGA statement on SB 359’s referral to the Senate Finance Committee

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 18, 2020) — Today, Monday May 18th, Senate Bill 359, which seeks to streamline the coastal lawsuits, was referred from the Senate Floor where it was pending final passage, back to the Senate Committee on Finance. Gifford Briggs, president of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association (LOGA) and Tyler Gray, president of Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) made the following joint statement in response to the bill’s referral to Senate Finance:

“On more than one occasion, the Secretary or Department of Natural Resources has indicated he has all of the necessary resources to enforce the coastal program. Further, the Attorney General of Louisiana has indicated there is no anticipated fiscal impact to his department.”

“Nonetheless, the legislative fiscal office is referencing public testimony without consideration for current law providing for contingency and fee shifting arrangements as reason for the move. LMOGA and LOGA look forward to a swift hearing in Senate Finance, and a vote on the Senate floor to move this bill to the House this week.”

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About LMOGA

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. 

About LOGA 

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. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

LOGA and LMOGA applaud senators for opposition to SB 490

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 15, 2020) — The following are statements from LOGA President Gifford Briggs and LMOGA President and General Counsel, Tyler Gray, regarding the Senate Natural Resources committee deferral of SB 490 today:

“We applaud Senators Bret Allain, Mike Fesi, Bob Hensgens, and Sharon Hewitt for their bold leadership in opposing SB 490. This bill would have diverted funds away from Louisiana coastal restoration, incentivized more frivolous litigation targeting the energy industry, and allowed for the wholesale out-sourcing of state coastal policy and regulatory enforcement authority to private attorneys at the expense of Louisiana’s integrated coastal resources program.”

“LOGA and LMOGA have opposed these meritless lawsuits from the beginning. We believe they represent an unprecedented abuse of state and federal coastal zone management laws, and they undermine the spirit of partnership that has enabled our industry to invest in Louisiana’s economy and our coast for decades.”

Over the last five years, Louisiana oil and gas companies generated more than $230 million for coastal restoration and hurricane protection, and as as result, there are more CPRA projects underway today than ever before in our state’s history. Conservation is at the core of Louisiana’s energy industry with over 339+ billion in environmental investments to reduce emissions and improve air quality, planting acres upon acres of trees, donating land and making significant investments in Louisiana’s coast. 

The safe and responsible development of oil and gas resources in Louisiana supports more than 260,000 high-paying jobs and $72 billion in overall economic activity.

About LMOGA

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.

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. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

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AG Jeff Landry: ‘Hold communist China accountable for COVID-19’

As chief legal officers of their respective states, General Landry and his fellow members of this Attorney General coalition want to hold China accountable for its actions. They are asking for Congressional Hearings to help better understand the origins of COVID-19 and efforts by the communist Chinese government to deceive the international community.

A copy of the letter from the attorneys general of Louisiana, South Carolina, Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Texas, and West Virginia may be found at www.AGJeffLandry.com.

Read more: AG Jeff Landry: ‘Hold communist China accountable for COVID-19’

GROW LOUISIANA COALITION: Unified Letter of Support for SB 359 sent to Senate Natural Resources Committee

Today, 21 parish, regional and state organizations sent a letter of support for SB 359, authored by Sen. Bob Hensgens (R-Abbeville), to the Senate Natural Resources Committee. The bill, which is scheduled to be considered during Thursday’s committee hearing, keeps the state’s focus on enforcing state permits and ensures that 100% of any funds recovered under the enforcement guidelines of Louisiana’s State and Local Coastal Resources Management Act (SLCRMA) are spent directly on coastal restoration and hurricane protection, as the Louisiana Legislature originally intended. 

“A small group of trial lawyers and a few parish officials are actively working to stifle the economic recovery of Louisiana’s energy sector by continuing to pursue misguided lawsuits against the industry,” said Marc Ehrhardt, executive director of the Grow Louisiana Coalition. “SB 359 will help oil and gas businesses in the state get back on their feet, not spend resources on senseless lawsuits that have yet to provide a dollar for our coast or economy in more than seven years. There are many things that we cannot control right now. SB 359 is something positive and productive that we can do to help our industry move in the right direction.”

The parish, regional and state organizations who have signed on to the letter of support include:

• Bayou Industrial Group

• Consumer Energy Alliance

• Greater Baton Rouge Industry Alliance

• Greater Iberia Chamber of Commerce

• Grow Louisiana Coalition

• Gulf Economic Survival Team

• Houma-Terrebonne Chamber of Commerce

• Lake Area Industry Alliance

• Louisiana Association of Business and Industry

• Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense

• Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch

• Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association

• Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

• One Acadiana

• Pelican Institute for Public Policy

• Port of Iberia

• River Region Chamber of Commerce

• South Central Industrial Association

• The Chamber Southwest Louisiana

• Thibodaux Chamber of Commerce

• West Baton Rouge Chamber of Commerce

VIEW THE LETTER HERE

LANDRY: Open Cosmetology Industries in Louisiana

Louisiana Attorney General recently shared the letter sent to Governor Edwards regarding reopening cosmetology industries in the state, which have been shuttered as a result of COVID-19.

I am calling upon Gov Edwards to allow the cosmetology industry to re-open. With safety protocols, barber shops and hair salons could choose to open and people would have the choice to use these services. My official post with my letter to the Governor below. #lalege #lagov

LOGA: State’s Oil Producers Shuttering at Alarming Rate

BATON ROUGE, LA (May 4, 2020) — The economic consequences of the global COVID-19 pandemic, the oil glut generated by the Saudis and Russians, and the lack of storage are being felt at a much quicker pace than previously projected, gravely threatening Louisiana’s energy sector.

The second in a series of “point-in-time” surveys shows that nearly a quarter of the state’s oil related workforce has potentially already been laid off, and four in every five Exploration and Production (E&P) companies has already begun shutting in wells.

“Our members have indicated they’ve already been forced to lay off 23% of their workforce and the large majority are now taking steps to shut-in production,” Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs said. “We feared these outcomes would take place by mid-to-late May, but the crushing weight of the crisis is taking hold much quicker than expected. Without a doubt, we need federal and state policymakers to take immediate action to help mitigate further losses from these extreme market conditions.”

Louisiana’s severance tax rate is the highest in the country at 12.5%, nearly four times the neighboring Texas 4.6% rate. “We’re worried about taxes and other costs that are not going down that we still have to pay as prices have cratered,” the head of one Louisiana energy company shared.

Oil prices closed most recently on the West Texas Intermediate at $18.84, a menacingly low amount. Louisiana’s independent producers require an average of $37.00 a barrel to break even. 

Further, more than half of company leaders indicated that bankruptcy or closures are likely. “We have been forced to cut salaries between 6% and 20% for our employees,” one member shared. “I as the owner have cut my salary to zero.”

According to the Louisiana Workforce Commission and the Department of Natural Resources, the oil and gas industry employs approximately 33,900 workers operating around 33,650 oil and gas wells around the state. 

Those tens of thousands of jobs bring Louisiana families $3.2 billion in wages. According to the survey results, 23% have already reportedly had to be laid off. 

State tax revenue will also suffer drastically from the sharp decline in oil prices and staggering job losses across the state.

This survey from LOGA’s members, which comprises 450 exploration and production and service companies across Louisiana, is below.

LOGA Survey Results

• Members have been forced to reduce 23% of their Louisiana workforce already

• 77.5% of operators have already begun taking steps to shut-in production

• 97% are moderately or extremely concerned about the future of the industry

• 51.35% said bankruptcy likely

• 34% applied for EIDL funds, of those only 25% received the funds they expected

• Of those who received funds, 46.67 indicted they were not enough to help them stay in business

• Of those who received funds, 72% indicated they were not enough to avoid layoffs

“We’re one of the largest employers in Louisiana with the highest average wages. Just imagine what shut-ins and company closures mean for individuals and communities. These are real dollars and their lack is going to be felt all across the state,” Briggs added.

“Of the things we can control, we must take bold action to enact immediate changes,” Briggs said. “We are looking forward to working with the legislature and the administration to figure out how to keep wells flowing and keep people employed as long as possible.”

Emergency Measures to Help the Louisiana Oil & Gas Industry Survive

• Reduce state severance taxes for a period of one year while protecting resources for local governments via passing HB 506

• Support the passage of SB 359 and take appropriate steps to address the government-led coastal lawsuits

• Identify any opportunities at the federal and state level to expedite additional storage capacity

One member summed up the widespread feeling of dejection in the oil patch. “If we are truly an essential industry, we sure don't feel like it right now.”

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. Find out more information at: http://www.loga.la

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California: You Win Some, You Newsom

Elsewhere, in places like Louisiana, some of the state pressure is paying off. As more churches grow impatient to start the re-opening process, Attorney General Jeff Landry encouraged the governor, John Bel Edwards (D), to start amending his emergency order. “As other states begin reopening and unrest in the legislature continues, I believe many faith-based congregations will begin to meet with or without guidance,” Landry wrote. “We are better served by taking a proactive approach by publishing reopening guidelines that take a phased approach to faith services restarting. Without guidance based on best practices in place, this could be disastrous.”

Borrowing from FRC’s roadmap for re-opening churches, he included a draft framework for how Louisiana could approach the issue. On Thursday, seeming to heed the call, Governor Edwards agreed that churches could at least start holding services outdoors, if they practiced social distancing.

Read more: California: You Win Some, You Newsom

LOUISIANA CITIZENS FOR JOB CREATORS: AG Landry Calls for Church Services to Resume!

As the state of Louisiana continues to make strides against the COVID-19 pandemic, AG Jeff Landry is once again looking out for the liberties of Louisianians. This time urging the Governor to allow for church services to resume, all while abiding by social distancing recommendations. In a letter to Governor Edwards yesterday, AG Landry cited the growing unrest that is "unfolding across the Nation and here in Louisiana with regard to peoples' freedom to practice their faith." Additionally, he notes growing concern over the complexity of utilizing law enforcement to enforce these measures. 

Less than 24 hours after AG Landry issued his letter, the Edwards Administration issued guidance allowing churches to hold outdoor services as long as they can abide by social distancing measures. 

Louisiana is state of believers, who hold dear to our Christian practices. Enduring the past 6 weeks of uncertainty without the ability to worship has no doubt put a mental and emotional strain on our citizens. Allowing people the opportunity to worship is a great step froward in the process of healing our country.

Thank you AG Landry for standing up the the civil and religious liberties of our great state! Read AG Landry's letter HERE and we will see you at Church on Sunday?