Congressman Garrett Graves issued the below letter to the Biden administration regarding fuel shortages in Louisiana, post Hurricane Ida:
AG LANDRY: The People of Louisiana Are Resilient!!!!
Hurricane Ida was brutally destructive. From Galliano to Bogalusa, LaPlace to Hammond, and everywhere in between - our neighbors have been devastated. Many are in need of shelter, water, power, and more - especially prayers.
My office and I have begun working with local officials to help how we can. This will be a long process. It is my hope that the federal government will assist our hurricane victims - those from Ida this week and Laura from last year as well.
I just got back from down the bayou. Lafourche and Terrebonne officials are working hard to search for those in need and to clear the roads.
For those who want to return from evacuation or those who want to help their loved ones there, now is NOT the time to go. Monitor local media and social media for the green light.
The people of Louisiana are resilient; we always have been. Together, we will get through this.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin Decides Not to Pursue Emergency Elections Plan
BATON ROUGE, La.— The office of the Louisiana Secretary of State announced today that it will not pursue another Emergency Elections Plan for the October 9, 2021 and November 13, 2021 elections.
“In reviewing the upcoming election cycle it became clear that one of the most important factors in reaching this decision was the widespread availability of vaccines and Louisiana’s overall vaccination rate, which are both increasing daily. As such, we have no intent to issue an Emergency Elections Plan (EEP) at this time,” said Secretary Ardoin. “We have administered seven different election days since the start of COVID, including the 2020 Presidential election. Last November, 70% of all registered voters—more than 2.1 million Louisianians— made their voices heard through early voting, absentee voting, or election day voting. Over 1.9 million of those voters chose to vote in-person, a time-honored tradition in Louisiana.”
Election Worker Safety - Because of our extensive experience with past elections since the beginning of the pandemic, we are fully equipped with the appropriate PPE and sanitation standards for our election workers. These experiences have resulted in well-established protocols to administer the October and November elections, including social distancing and sanitizing voting equipment.
Health Preparations - The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office has conducted elections large and small throughout the entirety of COVID-19 and even amidst the lockdown period. Given the lessons learned in the seven elections we’ve conducted since the onset of COVID in Louisiana, we believe that we have taken appropriate steps to effectively and safely conduct these elections based on the projected turnout.
Facility Occupancy Limits - While the Governor has reinstated mask requirements, currently there are no statewide mandated occupancy limits in place in Louisiana which would impact capacity at voting precincts or early voting centers.
Early Voting - We will not be expanding early voting, as our local election administration partners, the parish Clerks and Registrars of Voters have experienced difficulty retaining commissioners and staff as a result of extended hours and days. Also, adding additional days retroactively impacts the election calendar by shortening the time between elections and brings significant costs to the process.
Absentee Voting - Our records reflect that the November 2020 presidential election, which featured a 70% overall turnout, only 3% of absentee voters used this exception. As a percentage of the total vote, the COVID exception represented only 3/10 of 1% of the voting population. The upcoming elections are projected to have a significantly smaller turnout, inclusive of the competitive municipal elections in Orleans Parish as a portion of the statewide turnout.
Legislative Intent - The option to enact Emergency Election Plans were always designed to be a temporary cure for extraordinary, but short-term obstacles. During the recently ended Legislative Session, the Louisiana Legislature did not see fit to take up additional measures or offer changes to our authority relative to absentee voting or the Emergency Elections Plan process.
Orleans Parish Elections - We are heartened by the statistics indicating that by the end of this week, four out of five adults in Orleans Parish will have received at least one vaccine dose.
Democrats’ Majority At Risk If Biden Goes Down Wrong Path On Drug Pricing
Looking forward to the 2022 midterms, the Democrats face an uphill battle.
Not only do the Republicans only need to flip five seats to take back the House of Representatives, but the latest generic ballot polling from NBC News/Wall Street Journal indicates that the Democrats hold only a one-point lead nationwide, clearly within the margin of error and presumably favoring Republicans in many swing districts.
Further, redistricting has the likelihood to give Republicans an even better advantage.
Read more: Democrats’ Majority At Risk If Biden Goes Down Wrong Path On Drug Pricing
A Day of Prayer for the People of Afghanistan
From the desk of Franklin Graham...
Thousands of people are desperately trying to escape from Afghanistan after the country's fall to the Taliban.
With the Taliban blocking access to the airport and all exit routes, this is a life or death situation for Christians and other religious minorities, and all those who worked with or for America over the past two decades.
These Islamic extremists, who have taken Afghanistan by force, have a history of brutality, including beheadings and public executions. Time is short and the need is urgent, and this is why I am calling for a day of prayer on Sunday, August 22.
With the Taliban blocking access to the airport and all exit routes, this is a life-or-death situation for Christians and other religious minorities, and all those who worked with or for America over the past two decades. There is no hope for these people to get out safely—apart from a miracle from the hand of God—and that's what we need to pray for.
It is a difficult and tragic situation. Will you please join me in praying for God to intervene in a mighty way?
Sincerely,
Franklin Graham
CROUERE: There is Something Wrong with President Joe Biden
Americans Want to Know the Mental State of President Joe Biden. A Lost and Confused Joe Biden is a Danger as President ! Do you thing he is Mentally Competent Enough to be President? Biden is a Puppet and Not in Charge of his Administration. Americans Must Know if their President is Mentally Capable.
Crouere is dedicated to examining the top issues of the day on the local, state and national levels. Crouere offers viewers political debate, and analysis.
No Government Price Controls to Pay for Biden’s Gargantuan Spending Bill
Photo source: Citizens Against Government Waste
Here we go again. Even though the private and competitive negotiations in Medicare Part D among insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), drug manufacturers, and pharmacists resulted in lower than expected costs and high satisfaction, the Biden administration is calling for this system to be replaced with government-negotiated pricing, which is currently prohibited by the non-interference clause in Medicare law that protects market competition. They claim that there would be significant savings, and this time they want to use this money to help pay for President Biden’s prolific “infrastructure” package. But the government does not negotiate prices, it sets prices and uses price controls to achieve its objectives.
Read more: No Government Price Controls to Pay for Biden’s Gargantuan Spending Bill
Attorney General Jeff Landry Urges Supreme Court To Overturn Roe V Wade
BATON ROUGE, LA - Attorney General Jeff Landry recently joined Louisiana to a coalition of 24 states filing a legal brief at the U.S. Supreme Court in support of Mississippi’s law banning abortions after 15 weeks. The amicus brief in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization argues that Roe v. Wade should be overturned because it has no basis in the Constitution.
“I will never waver in my defense of the unborn,” said Attorney General Landry. “And I will always support a state's right to protect the unborn and their mothers.”
Attorney General Landry’s brief submits that Roe v. Wade and Casey v. Planned Parenthood were wrongly decided and are the cause of inconsistent rulings and differing jurisprudence.
Read more: Attorney General Jeff Landry Urges Supreme Court To Overturn Roe V Wade
Dan Bongino Welcomes "The Voice of Louisiana" as They Talk Bill Cassidy, RINO Republicans
Moon Griffon, "The Voice of Louisiana", was heard across the USA on Wednesday as a guest on Dan Bongino’s show.
LOGA Releases Statement on White House-OPEC Talks
BATON ROUGE, LA (August 11, 2021) – Earlier today, the White House issued a statement urging OPEC+ to increase oil production in order to satisfy the current demand for energy in the United States.
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla responded publicly to the White House this afternoon:
“Since President Biden took office last January, his administration has made it a top priority to decimate the American oil and gas industry to meet his unrealistic climate goals.
Pushing for an increase in foreign oil consumption hurts states like Louisiana who rely on energy production for job creation and tax revenue.
If the White House truly wants to expedite the post-COVID economic recovery, they should rely on energy companies here in the United States, not foreign entities that seek to exploit other nations to fill their pockets.
We encourage President Biden to work with our domestic industry partners to meet the energy needs of Americans."
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Mark Levin Visits W/ Moon Griffon to Discuss Latest Book, Cassidy
Photo source: Wikipedia
APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR LEAD FALL TRAINING
Photo source: Louisiana Women Lead
Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana Women Lead (Lead), a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to train business-minded women to run for office in Louisiana, is inviting center or right-of-center women interested in running for office to apply for its fall training.
Lead’s fall training will take place on Saturday, October 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Monroe. Deadline for applications is Friday, September 10, and accepted trainees will be announced on Monday, September 20. Daycare will be provided for those who may need it.
The Lead Training will equip women with everything needed to know to run for office:
● Campaign Process
● Networks
● Marketing and Media
● Public Speaking
● Fundraising
Space is limited, so interested would-be candidates are encouraged to apply today by visiting www.louisianawomenlead.org and clicking “APPLY NOW.”
“We need women to reach their next goal and to be the next generation of leaders that are desperately needed in Louisiana,” Renee Amar, Executive Director of Louisiana Women Lead said. “Our training will give these up and coming leaders the tools to run a successful campaign and be the change we need.”
“Center and center-right women interested in public office who aren’t sure where to start will learn how to get their campaigns going with our training,” Cheryl Tolbert, LEAD Board Chair added. “The fall training will provide skills, information, networks, and other avenues to harness their interest, ideas, and passion to be leaders in our state and nation.”
The cost for training is $500, scholarships and a payment plan are available.
https://www.louisianawomenlead.org/apply
About Louisiana Women Lead: Louisiana Women Lead was formed in 2020 to engage more center-right women in politics. Lead’s goal is to increase the number of women elected or appointed to leadership positions in Louisiana by breaking down barriers, create a statewide network for support, and provide tools to women so they have a leg up when running for or being appointed to office. For more information, visit http://www.louisianawomenlead.org .
Dr. Scott Gottlieb: COVID Cases Clearly Slowing in Louisiana
Well, look it's certainly getting worse. I think you're going to start to see improvements, particularly in the South. There is evidence that the rate of growth in the cases in the South is starting to decline. I think that this week you may see some of the states that have been the outbreak states start to tip over in terms of showing less cases on a daily basis. The rate of expansion, the epidemic is clearly slowing in states like Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri.
KENNEDY: If you look up stupid stuff in the dictionary, there’s a picture of this bill
Senator Kennedy tears apart the bipartisan Senate infrastructure bill on 'The Ingraham Angle'
Lawmakers Should Reject Government “Negotiation” in Medicare Part D
Senate Finance Committee Chairman Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) has released a set of drug pricing principles that will likely be folded into the Democrat’s upcoming multi-trillion tax and spend reconciliation legislation. Wyden’s plan includes a number of concerning proposals including the imposition of price controls on Medicare Part D under the guise of “negotiation.”
Read more: Lawmakers Should Reject Government “Negotiation” in Medicare Part D
HIGGINS: UNITING THE LOUISIANA DELEGATION BEHIND SUPPLEMENTAL DISASTER RELIEF
Photo source: Clay Higgins - House of Representatives
Clay Higgins (LA-03) sent out the below information in a recent email to constituents regarding disaster assistance for Southwest Louisiana.
While over $1.3 billion in federal assistance has been delivered to support immediate response costs, Southwest Louisiana continues to face extreme and long-term recovery needs that are best addressed with a supplemental disaster package. My office and the entire Louisiana delegation are united behind supplemental disaster relief. However, we need executive branch support to advance long-term recovery resources. Read the delegation letter here.
We have stressed the importance of this matter repeatedly in direct communications with President Biden and publicly on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. However, we have seen no effort from Democratic leadership to move forward with a supplemental disaster bill. Speaker Pelosi's office recently stated in a media interview that the Democratic Congress and the Biden Administration are going to ‘consider the need for supplemental disaster funding’ for Louisiana. We are beyond the time for consideration. It’s been nearly a year since the devastation occurred. Read our latest communication to President Biden and Speaker Pelosi here.
We must provide the thousands of severely impacted Americans in Southwest Louisiana with a proper federal response. My office will continue to push Louisiana's needs at the federal level.
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.
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
