Opinion: Americans in Lake Charles, La., are frustrated. We need aid now.

Photo source: City of Lake Charles

As the first anniversary of Hurricane Laura approaches, and after enduring three additional weather disasters, we are still waiting and pleading for an equitable response from Washington. We’ve repeatedly, desperately implored both the Trump and Biden administrations and Congress. Both presidents visited my city, both promised additional aid. We’ve been told help is on the way, but as the days turn into months, we are left feeling that our federal government is willing to ignore a humanitarian crisis in Southwest Louisiana.

Read more: Opinion: Americans in Lake Charles, La., are frustrated. We need aid now.

American Petroleum Institute: Oil and Natural Gas Fuels Louisiana's Workforce and Economy

The American Petroleum Institute (API) recently released a new analysis of the oil and natural gas industry's economic impact on Louisiana's economy. The analysis highlights the importance of the industry to the state's post-pandemic recovery and its workforce.

The study, prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) and commissioned by API emphasizes that Louisiana's oil and natural gas industry supported more than 345,000 jobs across the state in 2019. Louisiana ranked among the highest in the nation for the percentage of total economic contributions by the industry, generating $59.2 billion of the state's gross domestic product.

According to the analysis, in 2019, the industry directly and indirectly:

• Supported 345,760 total jobs (105,310 direct and 240,450 indirect) or 12.6 percent of Louisiana’s total employment.

• Generated an additional 2.3 jobs elsewhere in Louisiana’s economy for each direct job in the state’s natural gas and oil industry.

• Provided $25.0 billion in labor income ($12.7 billion direct and $12.3 billion indirect) to Louisiana, 16.8 percent to the state’s total.

• Contributed $59.2 billion to Louisiana’s gross domestic product ($38.6 billion direct and $20.6 billion indirect), 23.0 percent to the state’s total.

Read the Full API Report

NEW LAWSUIT: ABORTION INDUSTRY WANTS ABORTION FOR GIRLS “WITHOUT BARRIERS”

The abortion industry has done it again – just last week, they filed a lawsuit against another common-sense pro-life law we passed in Baton Rouge.

This time, they wanted to make sure that minor girls can have abortion “without barriers” and even without parental involvement.

Read more: NEW LAWSUIT: ABORTION INDUSTRY WANTS ABORTION FOR GIRLS “WITHOUT BARRIERS”

LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM: An Open Letter to House Speaker Schexnayder

Mr. Speaker, 

First and foremost, I want to thank you for your leadership in making an historic veto override session a reality. This was an impossibility that you and Senate President Cortez made an inevitability. It is for this reason I offer the following suggestions regarding the so-called “friends” and allies within your membership.

The Louisiana legislative override session was intended to fix the mistakes of Governor John Bel Edwards by resurrecting the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act (SB 156), among other bipartisan-backed vetoed subject matters. The override session was said to have been a failure for proponents. However, it revealed fault lines in both Gov. Edwards' limited reach and the House Chamber's current political arrangement. 

Gov. Edwards was forced to pull out all the stops, to make promises and to initiate threats to ensure that his republican-targeted vetoes, bills which Democrats originally and wholeheartedly supported, would be sustained by a newly energized Democrat opposition. 

The Senate vote on SB156 passed with Sen. Pat Connick's vote to enact his district's will. Then, the House, with “two votes to spare,” voted. Three members who had assured you, Mr. Speaker, minutes before the vote, that you could count on them, simply reneged. With friends like this, your leadership will always be subject to your opponents' political shenanigans!

Elections have consequences! This was proven by the re-election of Governor Edwards who positioned himself as an affable, pro-life centrist Democrat. We witnessed heartwarming pro-life campaign ads. We were told not to question his sincerity on this issue even as abortion clinics remained opened, and while churches and businesses in Louisiana were threatened during the government instituted shutdowns. 

"For every tree is known by his own fruit." (Luke 6:43)

The bitter fruit of this struggle emanates from Governor Edwards, who immediately upon election, issued an executive order advocating for biological men who present themselves as women to have access to women’s locker-rooms and other private spaces.  Now, by virtue of this veto, he advocates for biological men to compete against women, essentially erasing girls’ and women’s sports.

LFF does not aspire to be a political organization; we merely operate in that arena because that’s the place where important decisions are made. Our mandate and mission deal with faith and family and freedom. This encompasses a much broader set of issues including a biblical foundations on human sexuality, the integrity of the traditional family, and the sanctity of all human life. LFF, for many years, was the only organization in Louisiana advocating for some of these essential issues. 

LFF has consistently issued voter guides showing candidate positions on a broad range of issues so that voters can be informed. And our 2021 Legislative Scorecard, which will be issued in a matter of days, demonstrates just how far elected officials on the right and left have departed from their support of family values, many for the first time in 23 years. Sadly, a number of legislators secured a “0” on LFF’s Scorecard by embracing DC style politics.

Governor JBE is term-limited, and a lame duck with questionable ability to sustain any future veto through re-apportionment and his two final years of legislative sessions. 

Mr. Speaker, you and other conservatives in the legislature may have aspirations for higher office. LFF’s respectfully encourages you in the difficult task ahead -- to discipline dishonesty, to align your committees to reflect Louisiana’s electorate, to abandon unreliable alliances with those who have demonstrated a disdain for your principles, forsake their pledges and to factor their allegiances to the governor and their national party over the integrity of the Louisiana House of Representatives.

The people of Louisiana are wondering if the politics of last week will provide similar outcomes and consequences going forward -- in reapportionment, in the 2023 elections and in future legislative sessions. Louisiana has come a long way and is considered the most pro-life state in the nation. 

Now, we understand that there are issues that any pro-life commitment must also beget, such as dignity for and the safety of women and girls, essential rights, rejection of any medical martial law (mask mandates, vaccine coercion, etc.), election integrity, and limited government.

Unholy alliances have been revealed. Some of your chairmen are hiding from their constituents regarding their vote (see that vote here and thank those who voted correctly) in the override session. We oppose these games and can not fathom a Louisiana that holds that it is morally defensible to allow biological men to compete in women’s sports! 

Mr. Speaker, if you allow your assigned committee chairmen to derail your leadership, your legacy will be the Speaker who gave a Democrats the power to inject D.C. politics deep into the heart of Louisiana. 

As a friend, I implore you: take swift and decisive action to contain wayward members and those who served as accomplices in undermining your leadership. Louisiana has rejected radical politics and the House would operate more efficiently if you required your members to abide by the conservative principles of those who elected them -- including Democrats in conservative areas of our state. 

If you do this, I, LFF, and the 500+ pastors who stood with us on this issue, will stand with you to build a Louisiana where God is honored, life is respected, families flourish, and liberty reigns! 

In His Service,

Gene Mills - President- Louisiana Family Forum

‘Complicit’: Meet the 18 Republicans Who Sold Out on Radical Democrat ‘Infrastructure’ Plan Without Reading Bill

All of them voted for this procedural vote without reading the bill—because it would have been impossible for them to read a bill that does not yet exist. The bill has still not been written despite months of negotiations.

Read more: ‘Complicit’: Meet the 18 Republicans Who Sold Out on Radical Democrat ‘Infrastructure’ Plan Without Reading Bill

CITIZENS FOR LOUISIANA JOB CREATORS: Landry Wins Landmark Opioid Settlement!

Last week Attorney General Jeff Landry announced a historic $26 billion agreement with the nation’s three major pharmaceutical distributors over the opioid epidemic. It is expected to help bring much-needed relief to families throughout Louisiana struggling with opioid addiction.

On the day of the settlement, the AG said it was a “great day in our fight to hold accountable those who have stoked the fire of the opioid crisis.”

The agreement resolves investigations and litigation with Cardinal, McKesson, AmerisourceBergen, and Johnson & Johnson over the companies’ roles in creating and fueling the opioid epidemic. The agreement also requires significant industry changes that will help prevent this type of crisis from happening again.

After all the damage that has been done to innocent patients by these companies, it’s only right that they settle with the victims. This crisis has severely impacted our state and we’re glad that AG Landry is standing up for us! Louisiana is expected to receive more than $325 million in relief for Opioid survivors and Jeff Landry is committed to making sure that money goes to those in need of treatment.

“It is our objective that every nickel of this settlement goes to treating those in need – mitigating the damage done to our citizens. We will continue working with the legal representatives of the political subdivisions involved in this litigation to make this happen.”
- AG Jeff Landry

Thank you to Jeff Landry for fighting back against the Opioid Epidemic! He put these companies in their place and is giving back to the victims of this crisis.

LAGOP: Failure to Override Must Have Consequences

For the past month, the Republican Party of Louisiana has promoted the veto override session, fighting with all the tools we have at our disposal. Chairman Louis Gurvich issued the following statement this afternoon:

“Louisiana Republicans are profoundly disappointed and deeply angered by the events that occurred in the Louisiana House of Representatives today. Louisiana Republicans insist that there must be consequences for the Democrats, Independents, and the one Republican who voted to sustain the Governor’s veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act.

I am calling on Speaker Clay Schexnayder to immediately replace all Democrat House Committee chairs with Republicans who are members of the Conservative Caucus. If this does not happen, then a broader conversation about how the House of Representatives is run will become necessary.

We would like to point out to the voters that 67 of 68 House Republicans voted for the override of the veto of the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act today. The only Republican who voted against us is Representative Joe Stagni of Kenner, who is being targeted for recall. Additionally, 26 of 27 Senate Republicans successfully voted to override the Governor’s veto of the same bill. Only Senator Ronnie Johns failed to show up and vote.

While we are angry and plan to lead the charge to make sure this sort of thing never happens again, we want to express our deep appreciation to the great majority of Republican legislators who voted right 100% of the time.

Finally, we must address the fact that Senators Louie Bernard, Pat Connick, and Franklin Foil voted to sustain the Governor’s override of the Constitutional Carry bill, while Senator Ronnie Johns failed to show up and vote. We encourage the voters to hold them accountable as well.

Republican voters expect more.”

Louisiana RINO's Are Called Out on Stinchfield Primetime

4 Louisiana Republican Senators are called out for not backing the veto override of the constitutional carry legislation in the State of Louisiana

House Speaker confident veto of anti-transgender bill will be overturned

Photo source: Louisiana House Member Page

All eyes are on the state capitol as Louisiana lawmakers convene for the first veto session since the state’s new constitution was adopted in 1974. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said he has no doubts the bill to protect women’s sports from transgender athletes will be overridden in the House.

“I feel comfortable, 100% on the women’s protection act bill,” said Schexnayder.

Read more: House Speaker confident veto of anti-transgender bill will be overturned

Louisiana to Hold First Ever Veto Override Session

With the legislature agreeing to hold this unprecedented session, Louisiana stands to override vetoes by “Honor Code” and to protect women's sports, the Second Amendment rights and election integrity

LANDRY: Support the 2nd Amendment

I HAVE LONG SUPPORTED - AND I HAVE ENDORSED - CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY IN LOUISIANA. I believe it is in line with our fundamental 2nd Amendment Rights. As one of many responsible firearms owners in Louisiana I believe our law abiding citizens should have these same privileges that not only our neighboring states have but that 21 other states in our nation have today. LET ME BE CLEAR: John Bel Edwards veto of this Legislation, which had been supported by a majority of our Legislators, was just one more bad decision among many. I have led multiple legal actions in this country to protect the 2nd Amendment and we need to stand up for it right here in Louisiana.

BEAULLIEU: Protecting Female Athletes

Photo source: Louisiana House of Representatives

The incoming call came early on a Saturday morning in January, from one of my favorite customers. I mention one of my favorites because she is one of those clients that challenges me to be on top of my game each time we converse. Most of the time, we are debating investment and financial market related items, as that is the nature of our relationship. From time-to-time, our conversations diverge into politics. A lot of my time as an investment professional is spent talking people ‘off of the ledge’ and attempting to separate their investment planning from their political views. She and I have had conversations regarding the role that government should or should not play in our lives, the debate over the success of low tax states versus high tax states, election integrity and so on.

On this particular morning, I saw the text message before I listened to the voicemail message. The voicemail came a little after 7:00 a.m.; the text message read something like this, referencing a WSJ article, ‘decades of women’s achievement is being rolled back’. The forthcoming outrage heard on the forty-seven minute discussion resonated the opinion of a successful woman who had made it in a ‘man’s world’ and how national political causes were setting back women’s rights that took decades, if not centuries worth of courage, effort, grief, sorrow, abuse and ultimately victory in a female’s ability to be considered on an equal playing field to men. This call was the first of many calls that I received on this issue!

Now, let’s be clear here, I am not the state’s foremost expert on women’s rights issues; but I do feel like I have a good idea on differences when distinguishing right from wrong. In addition, I am married to an incredible woman, have two amazing daughters and was raised by one heckuva mama who taught me and my brothers (of course it would have been nice to have a sister for this editorial), that you can do anything you set your heart on; just give it 100% and be the best version of yourself possible. It is the same message that my wife and I have used to raise our children (daughters and sons).

To the point, a national/federal political stance has been made to allow male born athletes the ability to compete in sports restricted to female athletes, when the male athlete has undergone medical procedures to change his sex. I vowed to work towards not letting this happen in Louisiana and protecting our female athletes. Keep national politics out of Louisiana athletics. To that end, I kept my promise and voted favorably to not allow a male born person from participating in female athletic activities. The bill received bipartisan support and walked out of the legislature with over a 2/3 vote in favor. Ultimately, the governor vetoed the bill.

I respect the governor’s role in this process and his right to veto legislation. HOWEVER, I also respect my fellow state legislators and the offices in which we hold. We have a check and balance system. The way Louisiana’s constitution spells it out, legislators pass a bill and the governor has the ability to sign the bill, let it go into law or veto the bill. The constitution also says that the legislature can override these vetoes with a two-thirds vote of its members. Since the creation of our constitution, we have had bills that were vetoed by the governor and overridden by the legislature; however each time, the legislature was still ‘in session’. Never before has the legislature followed through on the constitutionally drawn up veto session that is stated to take place 40 days following the conclusion of the session that ended. Traditionally and by a majority of the legislature, a formal request is made that deems a veto session NOT necessary. This year and this issue may be the one that pulls us into a Veto Session for the first time, since the constitutional right of automatically going into a veto session was granted in the 60’s. I plan to support the Veto Session and continue to keep the promise I made back in January.

Once in a veto session, the legislature will have the ability to override any or all of the vetoed bills that were vetoed during the final days of session. There are other vetoed bills that are being hotly considered. There is the constitutional carry bill that allows law-abiding citizens to conceal-carry, the same way that they can open-carry, without the need for a permit. There are election integrity bills that can be considered to be overridden. In all, there are twenty-eight bills that can be considered. Without the veto of the protection of female athletes’ bill, most politicos are not confident that there would have been enough energy to muster the votes to pull us into an override session. Is this bill different? We will know by midnight on July 15th if the majority of each body of the legislature feels this bill is important enough to, for the first time in history, go into a veto override session.

Beau Beaullieu - District 48 - Louisiana House of Representatives

Letter to the Editor: HR3

Dear Editor,

I am very concerned that our representatives in Congress are considering price-setting policies like HR3.

Such legislation not only represents dangerous political overreach; it also hurts patients. Today, America leads the world in innovation. We have unprecedented access to the latest medicines. But under HR3, this availability could drop from 86 percent to 52 percent. 

Our biopharmaceutical industry has already shown the entire world – many times over – what they’re capable of. In the past several decades, researchers have made incredible advancements in treating various diseases. Not to mention the development and rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations. And their work is only getting started. Every day, scientists are developing life-saving therapies through new medical breakthroughs. 

But price-setting laws could put an end to this innovation – and that’s the last thing we need right now. Instead, legislators need to give scientists the chance to build on the momentum of the past year. Our government needs to be supportive of medical progress, especially after all that has happened in 2020.

Sincerely,

Aaron Miller

Republican Party of Louisiana Strongly Urges Veto Override Session

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2021

(Baton Rouge, LA)- The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana has unanimously endorsed the effort by Republican state legislators to hold a veto override session on July 20.

"Our Democrat governor has vetoed common sense legislation that would provide needed protections for our daughters, our gunowners and our elections," Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Louis Gurvich said. "Our Republican legislators should have no difficulty in deciding to convene this veto-override session.”

Louisiana Conservative Caucus: Override the Veto

On their Facebook page, the Louisiana Conservative Caucus posted the below regarding Gov. John Bel Edwards veto of concealed carry in the State of Louisiana:

The Conservative Caucus Calls for Veto Override of Constitutional Carry Bill

Every Republican campaigns on being pro-2nd Amendment. Now is the time to prove whether that is empty campaign rhetoric or a true belief. It is a true belief for the Conservative Caucus, who fully supports overriding the Governor’s veto of Constitutional Carry (SB118).

BATON ROUGE, June 28 – Protecting one’s self and family is not a racial, class, or party issue. It transcends barriers as evidenced by Republicans and Democrats campaigning as being pro-gun and pro-2nd Amendment. Even Governor John Bel Edwards campaigned positively on the issue. That is why in Louisiana, citizens have the right to open carry their firearms without any permits or training requirements. Senate Bill 118 would have simply allowed citizens to exercise their current rights without concern of a shirt or jacket covering up their firearm. Under current law, covering a firearm is a felony unless you possess a concealed carry permit. Senate Bill 118 would have removed the high financial barrier of a concealed carry permit. That barrier disproportionately impacts our poor and minority communities, who have the greatest need to defend themselves and families outside of their home.

In an unanimous vote, the Conservative Caucus has decided to fully endorse overriding the Governor Edwards’ veto of Senate Bill 118. When discussing the historic possibility of an effective veto session, Chairman Jack McFarland said, “This is where the rubber meets the road. It’s time to find out who uses the 2nd Amendment as hollow campaign rhetoric and who sincerely believes it.”

Prior to the veto of Senate Bill 118, the Conservative Caucus was actively working with Republican Delegation Leader Blake Miguez on ensuring a successful veto override session. Once the session begins in late July, legislators will have the option to override every single veto. Thus far, the Governor has vetoed multiple infrastructure projects in conservative lawmakers’ districts such as rural bridges, utility upgrades that would lower electric bills, and road improvements. He’s also vetoed an election integrity bill as well as legislation to prevent biological males from competing against biological females in women’s sports.

When reflecting on the historic achievements of the legislature this term, McFarland added, “Any governor’s main power over a legislator is a line-item veto. We can take that power away from this Governor and future governors. This is another historical moment for the legislature. We, as a diverse bipartisan legislative body, need to rally together to make an example for our future generations that this is when Louisiana turned a corner. This is when governors quit bullying legislators and started respecting the legislative process. This is when we end every governor’s “politics over people” vetoes.”

LANDRY: Override Edwards' SB156 Decision

Attorney General, Jeff Landry, stepped into the discussion regarding Gov. John Bel Edwards’ decision to veto a bill protecting women and ensuring fairness in sports in the State of Louisiana. Below is a post that was made on his Facebook page urging lawmakers to meet in a special session to override this veto.

LAGOP: Let The Override Session Begin!

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2021

(Baton Rouge, LA)- Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed Senator Beth Mizell's "Fairness in Women’s Sports Act," which would have protected thousands of female athletes in Louisiana from being forced to compete against biological males in athletic events.

This action perfectly illustrates this Democrat governor's lack of common sense regarding the difference between male and female anatomy. It also shows his tone deaf disregard for our daughters, who could be seriously injured or face the loss of academic aid and recognition of their achievements. This is not a difficult idea to understand: Biological men should participate in male sports, and biological women should participate in female sports. 

As Governor Edwards voted the bill, he remarked, "We should be looking for more ways to unite rather than divide," yet he willfully ignored the bill's bipartisan support among our state legislators, as well as the bill's support from the great majority of Louisianans.

This is yet another clear example of Governor Edwards putting politics over people.

Call your state senator TODAY at (225) 342-2040 and urge him/her to support a veto override session.

Call your state representative TODAY at (225) 342-6945 and urge him/her to support a veto override session. 

Our daughters are counting on your support.

REPOST: ATR Leads Coalition Opposing H.R. 3

Last week, Americans for Tax Reform released a full statement in opposition to HR 3. As we follow center-right organizations and their policy stances, we decided to repost this one for the good of our readers. Check out their reasons below for why they vehemently oppose the Democrat's drug pricing plan - HR 3.

Read more: REPOST: ATR Leads Coalition Opposing H.R. 3

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: Jeff Landry SCORES for US Jobs?

AG Jeff Landry has WON round one with the Biden Administration!

A federal judge has sided with the Republican AG in his effort to save the oil and gas industry against the liberal federal overreach of the Biden administration.

In March, AG Landry filed suit outlining the unconstitutionality of the suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water - a move that has driven up gas prices and endangered thousands of critical oil and gas jobs.

While the battle to stop Biden and his SOCIALIST ATTACK on Industry, Louisiana can be very proud of AG Landry and all he is doing to protect the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.

Biden and the Democrats will stop at nothing to tear down everything that conservatives like President Trump and Jeff Landry have done for our nation.

We're just glad that AG Landry is fighting them every step of the way!

Bill Cassidy backs proposal to raise federal gas tax at rate of inflation to fund infrastructure

U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday he's supportive of a bipartisan proposal to raise the federal gas tax at the rate of inflation to help fund more than half-a-trillion dollars in new infrastructure spending, though the idea is facing headwinds from the White House. 

Cassidy, a Republican, is part of a bipartisan group of 10 senators calling for $579 billion in additional federal spending on the nation's roads and bridges, a compromise well below the $1.7 trillion in new spending President Joe Biden initially outlined but higher than a GOP proposal offered last week. 

Read more: Bill Cassidy backs proposal to raise federal gas tax at rate of inflation to fund infrastructure