Cajun Conservatism
Importing prescription drugs from Canada has long been seen as an easy solution to skyrocketing drug prices for U.S. patients.
But now that President Donald Trump and Democrats are pushing to make those cross-border sales legal, Canadian health experts are issuing a dire warning: It could destroy Canada's drug market.
Read more: Canadian shelves ‘would run dry’ if U.S. imports drugs
The Republican Governor’s Association has put out a YouTube video highlighting the stellar performance (pun intended), of our own Cajun Obama, “Honor Code” John Bel Edwards. The video highlights the state of the economy and business climate here in the Pelican State.
Photo source: Twitter
The below was sent by email from the Louisiana GOP regarding “Honor Code”, John Bel Edwards’, economic summit:
The long-heralded Louisiana Statewide Business Summit has ended in a cloud of self-congratulatory remarks by John Bel Edwards. Per the Governor, just like LSU’s football team, the state is fresh off a big victory. The big victory eludes us, however. In actuality, the Governor’s summit primarily consisted of administration officials and certain well-heeled campaign contributors, along with a few legitimate industry leaders for visual effect. Strangely and for reasons unknown, outsiders found it impossible to obtain admission to the event, even when inquiries were made soon after the summit was announced.
But back to the Governor’s closing remarks; Edwards’ touting of great gains in industrial growth and jobs under his administration must be seen as the second act of his re-election narrative. Surely, the first act must have been his blustering speech at the end of the third and final 2018 legislative session, and then regurgitated today to the effect that the fiscal problems of the state have been solved. (They have only been resolved possibly for this election year, to no one’s surprise.) The Governor’s re-election narrative would make for a mirthful comedy if it were not for the tragic consequences of his administration’s three-year fixation on higher taxes and fees to solve this state’s terrible fiscal problems.
Consider that Louisiana now has the seventh worst economic growth rate and the third highest unemployment rate in the nation, in spite of the fact that Louisiana has the greatest natural resources per capita of any state. Tens of thousands of Louisianans have already left the state, with additional hundreds of thousands sure to follow if, God forbid, the Governor is re-elected. Of course, these disappointing statistics are simply the effects and not the causes of consistently bad government under Governor Edwards’ administration. So let’s take a look at some of the Governor’s legislative “achievements” and their effect on industry and job growth:
HIGHER SALES TAXES: For the sake of clarification, the Governor did not reduce our sales taxes, despite his claims to that effect- he merely replaced a temporary tax with a lower permanent one and falsely took credit for reducing taxes. The real effect will be to raise taxes beyond the short term. Higher sales taxes discourage industrial growth, and our sales taxes are the highest in the nation. Certainly, there are no industry or job gains to be had here.
HIGHER BUSINESS TAXES & FEES: John Bel Edwards’ administration has raised taxes and fees on businesses faster than any other state in the last three years. This is an absolute disincentive for industry to locate or expand in Louisiana, and a job killer in the bargain.
GIVING LOCAL GOVERNMENT CONTROL OVER THE INDUSTRIAL TAX EXEMPTION PROGRAM (ITEP): This eighty-year-old program gave industries that moved or expanded their operations in Louisiana an exemption from paying local property taxes on their manufacturing facilities which lasts up to ten years. Additionally, John Bel Edwards foolishly gave local government bodies, down to the school board level, the ability to nix these exemptions that were originally designed to partially offset all the disincentives existing elsewhere in the statutes and tax code. The largest employer in the state (Exxon/Mobile) just lost a tax exemption because of the objections of a local school board, resulting in a loss of investment in Louisiana. More projects will no doubt fall prey to various socialist-progressive, anti-business, small-time political news-hounds. Well done, Governor, if that was your intention to chase industry and jobs out of Louisiana!
And these are just his signature “achievements” to date. Don’t forget all of his other attempts to raise taxes, which only failed due to Republican opposition. Going forward, we are advised that the Governor plans to introduce legislation to raise the gas tax (certainly not an incentive to attract industry and jobs), and to greatly increase the state’s minimum wage (an absolute job killer especially damaging to less experienced and currently unemployed workers).
So here we are as we begin our fourth year under the John Bel Edwards’ administration: Higher than average unemployment, lower than average job growth, a declining population, the highest sales tax in the nation, extremely high business fees and taxes, the worst performing government in the nation by almost all metrics, and no possibility of real reforms being implemented under this Democrat Governor.
If John Bel Edwards wants to take credit for these economic “achievements” of the last three years, so be it!
Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Photo source: Wikipedia
Looking strong in all industries but one, our illustrious governor’s favorite red-headed stepchild, the oil and gas industry. The same industry that he and his ambulance chasing trial lawyer buddies love to sue.
While things are looking up in some sectors, Bill Fenstermaker, chairman and CEO of Fenstermaker & Associates, said oil and gas revenues have dropped about $750,000,000 a year for the past three years. He suggested the current administration's policies could be causing Texas oil companies to avoid drilling in Louisiana, especially in the Gulf of Mexico.
Those of us that depend on the oil and gas industry to feed our families are tired of seeing this industry get kicked around by the Democrat Party and, most particular, John Bel Edwards, the Cajun Obama himself. This industry has given countless thousands of families in this state a good source of income for decades and for this governor to use his influence in order to shakedown this industry is disgraceful.
Read more: Economic Summit: Acadiana business leaders cautiously optimistic for growth in 2019
The Louisiana GOP sent out the below email regarding a business summit scheduled for this week in Baton Rouge
With Louisiana currently ranked the worst state to find a job <https://www.wdsu.com/article/the-best-states-for-jobs-aren-t-what-you-might-expect/26133871> and consistently ranking among the bottom ten states for business climate <https://www.cnbc.com/2018/07/10/top-states-for-business-louisiana.html>, Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards is hosting a business summit in Baton Rouge on Thursday to hide his failed leadership from voters. But is this event really a business summit, or a taxpayer-funded campaign event to bolster his re-election bid?
Over half of the speakers slated to address the event have either donated to Edwards’ campaign or currently work for him as administration officials:
Five of the 19 scheduled speakers for the event are state employees <https://www.thetjcgroup.com/louisiana-business-summit-agenda> who work for Edwards:
Eight of the 19 scheduled speakers donated <http://www.ethics.la.gov/CampaignFinanceSearch/SearchByName.aspx> to Edwards either personally or through their organizations:
Edwards’ apparent decision to use a state-sponsored business summit as an opportunity to rally his supporters and campaign donors on the taxpayer’s dime further shows that he’s just another hypocritical politician who can’t be trusted to lead Louisiana.
Feb 14, 2019
WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Sen. John Kennedy (R-La.) today joined S.172,the Health Insurance Tax Relief Act of 2019, to keep health care costs down for families across Louisiana by delaying the implementation of the Affordable Care Act’s Health Insurance Tax. This punitive tax – if it is allowed to take effect - would increase costs for everyone from senior citizens to small businesses.
Sen. Kennedy also joined S.283, which would increase access to osteoporosis screenings for Medicare patients. Medicare reimbursement for these screenings has shrunk, resulting in an increase in hip fractures.
“Obamacare sucks, and the Health Insurance Tax really sucks. It would create $16 billion in additional fees on health insurance and send premiums through the roof. Health care is expensive enough without this ridiculous tax,” said Sen. Kennedy. “It’s also ridiculous to discourage health screenings that literally save lives. By testing for osteoporosis, we can prevent possibly fatal falls.”
Source: Sen. Kennedy Joins Legislation To Keep Health Care Costs Down and Protect Patients
Monday, February 18, 2019
(Baton Rouge, LA): Today the Republican Party of Louisiana submitted a public records request for any and all correspondence related to Democrat Governor John Bel Edwards’ Louisiana Statewide Business Summit to discern whether the governor is using it as a taxpayer-funded campaign event to bolster his re-election efforts. A copy of the request can be found here.
This request comes as Governor Edwards has faced a slew of bad headlines in recent weeks regarding his lackluster performance on the economy leading up to his announcement of the summit. This, along with the fact that many of the event’s speakers are either donors or employees of Edwards, raises questions of whether he is using his summit as a publicly-funded campaign event.
“On the heels of one negative story after another highlighting the poor state of Louisiana’s economy under the leadership of Governor Edwards, the Governor appears to have organized this summit for the benefit of his re-election efforts on the taxpayer’s dime,” said Chairman Louis Gurvich. “Our elected leaders should not be using taxpayer funds to further their personal political objectives. The timing and choice of speakers at this summit raises serious questions for Governor Edwards, and the people of Louisiana deserve answers.”
A Brief Timeline of Negative News Stories:
January 28 – “In a November 2015 debate, both Edwards and his Republican runoff challenger, then-U.S. Sen. David Vitter, said they wouldn’t raise tax rates on businesses or individuals. They talked of very similar plans to make government more efficient, remove protections that keep some areas of the budget off-limits to cuts and scale back tax break programs. Tax rates under Edwards, however, were raised.” (AP: In re-election bid, Edwards to face tax scrutiny)
January 30 – Louisiana ranked the worst state in the country for where to find a job. (Zippia: THESE ARE THE 10 BEST STATES IN AMERICA FOR JOBS)
January 30 – “Until then we live with Gov. Edwards’ ‘Texas Plan’ that was evident in a post by Baton Rouge ex-pat Branon Pesnell, who now does real estate in Houston: ‘I am one of the 55,000 who moved out of the state (2016-2018) partly because of this type of short-sighted thinking. Decisions like this will have long-term impact on the Louisiana’s ability to recruit and keep business. The door is open in Texas, come on in!’” (Greater Baton Rouge Business Journal: Publisher: Governor’s ITEP change helps Texas)
February 4 – “Stephen Waguespack, president of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, said Monday at the Press Club of Baton Rouge [ITEP] is ‘broken’…” (Advocate: LABI, Louisiana's largest business lobby, wants changes for ITEP tax)
February 4 – “But Edwards isn’t interested in changing the rules, saying Louisiana remains competitive in business development.” (AP: Louisiana leaders divided on industrial tax break)
February 9 – “Even when watered down by a Republican-led Legislature, his policies over the past three years have produced tax hikes and 40 percent higher state spending. Louisiana has one of the worst economies in the country with almost no net new jobs created.” (Advocate: Jeff Sadow: Look behind the spin put on Gov. Edward's polling numbers)
February 13 – John Bel Edwards announces Louisiana Statewide Business Summit (Advocate:Louisiana Statewide Business Summit to highlight economic development success stories)
Photo source: CNBC
.........but because of the self-righteous in the State of Louisiana who couldn’t vote for Sen. David Vitter and elected a liberal trial lawyer in John Bel Edwards, who’s intent on destroying the oil and gas industry, we have Louisianans going to Texas to work in their bustling industry.
The latest example of the boom in Texas oil and gas is this:
See what was in that piece? A governor willing to work with producers in his state rather than sue them.
But, by all means, tell me again how “Honor Code” is helping the State of Louisiana.
As I’ve said before, don’t blame me. I voted for Vitter.
Read more: Report: Texas crude oil production breaks 1970s record
Attorney General of Louisiana, Jeff Landry, issued the below video highlighting support for President Donald Trump’s goal of securing the border and the border wall.
I stand with @realDonaldTrump it is time to #BuildTheWall @WhiteHouse @POTUS #BorderSecurity #NationalEmergency pic.twitter.com/ZnDFMRN3nO
— AG Jeff Landry (@AGJeffLandry) February 15, 2019
Photo source: Rigzone
As reported numerous times, the “Honor Code” of a governor that we have in the State of Louisiana is intent on destroying the strongest industry we have here in this state, oil and gas. This former trial lawyer has time and time again, with the help of his crony buddies, sued deep pocketed companies:
We shouldn’t be surprised Edwards would go after deep-pocketed companies as governor when that’s what he did for a living before he became a politician. And after all, he is a Democrat, the party known for rewarding trial lawyers who generously give campaign contributions. The trouble with trial lawyers is that for the most part, they suck the life out of the economy. But if your focus isn’t the strength of the economy, but instead growing state coffers with large chunks of cash from lawsuits, Edward’s bent toward litigation is the perfect strategy.
LOGA came out last year as well stating we cannot take another Edwards term in Baton Rouge:
"He sent letters to all the coastal parishes, saying, 'Sue the oil industries, sue them all, and if you don't sue them,' he told them, 'I will.'"
Now we have the latest coming from our neighbors to the west:
To put Texas oil production in perspective, if it were a country, it would be the world's third oil producer sometime this year, behind only Russia and Saudi Arabia, HSBC said in a report. The main engine of Texas oil output is the Permian basin that spans West Texas and southeastern New Mexico and is one of the most prolific oil and gas producing regions in the U.S. The Permian Basin is approximately 250 miles wide and 300 miles long, across West Texas and southeastern New Mexico. It encompasses several sub-basins, including the Delaware Basin and the Midland Basin.
If you’re dependent on the oil and gas industry to support your families and you continue to defend this governor, you need your head examined.
Looks like the best place for a Louisiana citizen to continue to make a living in this industry is in Texas.
Photo source: Louisiana AG
BATON ROUGE, LA – Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry issued the following statement after the United States Supreme Court temporarily blocked enforcement of a Louisiana abortion clinic regulation:
“In 2014, our duly elected legislators almost unanimously passed Act 620 to require doctors who perform abortions to have admitting privileges at nearby hospitals. Unfortunately, the Supreme Court today put enforcement of this pro-woman law on hold for the time being.
We remain hopeful that if the Supreme Court grants certiorari in this case, it will be to re-affirm that courts rule on fact-specific cases; because the facts in our case show Act 620 is constitutional and consistent with our overall regulatory scheme for surgical procedures.
Going forward, my office and I will be carefully reviewing the next steps in our defense of Louisiana's admitting privileges law. We will not waver in defense of our State's pro-woman and pro-life laws; and we will continue to do all we legally can to protect Louisiana women and the unborn.”
The statement can be found on the AG’s website here.
Photo source: Axios
On cost, the Grassley-Klobuchar would yield negligible savings at best. If the entire nation legalized drug importation, number crunchers at the Department of Health and Human Services predict that American drug spending would decrease by less than 1 percent.
On safety, the bill encourages prescription drug abuse. Legally, Canadian pharmacies can only fill scripts written by Canadian physicians. Creatively, some online pharmacies recruit local doctors to "co-sign" prescriptions for American patients. Writing a prescription for a patient one hasn't seen isn't just unethical; it invites fraud. This is especially worrisome given the rising prevalence of prescription drug misuse and abuse.
The bill also exposes Americans to dangerous counterfeits. It's estimated that 1 million people die at the hand of counterfeit drugs every year, many of which come from Canada.
Read more: Opinion: Grassley-Klobuchar proposal ushers in dangerous counterfeit drugs
Photo source: Flickr
When Democrats complain about government inaction, they frequently point to European countries and bemoan why can't we just be more like them?!? Alas the Left enjoys looking at the results of socialized medicine in other developed nations, but they aren't very interested how they do it. The truth is a country can have socialized medicine, but they need the six things.
America currently has none of them.
Read more: Socialized Medicine Requires Six Things — America Has None Of Them.
...........It’ll be great they said.
Photo source: State of Louisiana
On the eve of an upcoming re-election for Governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards and his leadership in the state gives us this for 3+ years.
“Zippia's survey on the 10 best state's in America for jobs doesn't bode well for Louisiana. The Bayou State was ranked 50th.”
Don’t believe all the propaganda coming out of Baton Rouge. It ain’t all good in the Bayou State.
Read more: Louisiana ranked worst state to find job, survey sys
Photo source: LA House of Representatives
As a taxpayer and safeguard of the state’s finances, I appreciate the work Whip Scalise and US Senator Cassidy are doing to Stop the health insurance tax (HIT).
This HIT tax can add nearly $500 per worker to the annual premium, an amount sufficient to have large-scale effects within any company, including slowdowns in hiring. From a broader perspective, I am disturbed by the effect of the HIT tax on my constituents and the local economy. The Louisiana small business community is unanimous in its opposition to the HIT tax because of the negative consequences for their companies. Working families often feel the brunt of the impacts, and we all appreciate the leadership Whip Scalise and US Senator Cassidy have shown in pushing back against these taxes.
The HIT Tax impacts everyone. HIT tax hurts low- and fixed-income residents who rely on Medicare Advantage, because their costs also increase with the tax. This group is probably the least able to absorb price hikes in the hundreds of dollars, and we should seriously consider the ethics of adding to their health care costs.
We should all be thankful that Whip Scalise and US Senator Cassidy are leading the charge to extend the current moratorium on the health insurance tax that is safeguarding businesses, working families, and seniors. Louisianans deserve similar protections in 2020 and beyond.
State Representative Cameron Henry
Chairman, House Appropriations Committee
Sen. Bill Cassidy and Rep. Clay Higgins from Louisiana’s delegation in Washington weigh in on President Trumps SOTU address last night.
Photo source: www.supremecourt.gov
An recent Supreme Court petition application regarding a law passed in the State of Louisiana may actually be the death knell on Roe v. Wade. The application, which is likely to be denied, would send the Louisiana law back to the lower courts, thus effectively ending Roe.
Per the left-leaning ThinkProgress:
Yes, the court is very unlikely to hand down an opinion this week which uses the words “Roe v. Wade is overruled.” But these abortion providers filed this application because a federal appeals court openly defied the Supreme Court’s most recent abortion decision. When the court refuses to enforce its own decision, that will send a clear signal to lower court judges throughout the country that they are free to uphold restrictions on abortion.
The case is June Medical Services v. Gee.
Louisiana’s Attorney General, Jeff Landry, had the following to say regarding the Fifth Circuit’s ruling on the Louisiana Law, which is being petitioned to the Supreme Court:
“The Fifth Circuit once again affirmed what we have repeatedly said: our law is both factually and legally different from the Texas law that the Supreme Court ruled against,” Landry said. “I once again thank Representative Katrina Jackson for authoring this public safety legislation and Solicitor General Liz Murrill for preserving the Legislature’s intent.”
Read more:
The Supreme Court may kill Roe v. Wade as soon as this week
Photo source: Wikipedia
Sen. Bill Cassidy of Louisiana recently went on Fox Business to discuss his upcoming bill that would allow the President to use monies seized from Mexican drug cartel activities to fund the border wall.
Cassidy had the following to say on Fox News:
"It's become an article of faith among Pelosi and her kind of inner circle that they cannot give Trump a victory, even if it means securing our southern border. ... Now, that's a sorry state of affairs, but I'm hoping we can push through that."
More information regarding Cassidy’s bill and his statements regarding Pelosi can be found here.
Lynnel Ruckert and Andree Miller join the Bold Team
Photo source: BOLD Strategies
(Baton Rouge, LA) – BOLD Strategies kicked off the new year by adding Lynnel Ruckert and Andree Miller to the team. They join Bold President Kyle Ruckert who first opened the firm in 2016. Signaling a big year ahead, Bold Strategies will continue to advise corporate clients in both Washington and Baton Rouge, in addition to supporting the political efforts of U.S. Senator John Kennedy, Attorney General Jeff Landry, Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, Congressman Garret Graves, Congressman Higgins and spearheading the Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority.
BOLD Strategies provides political consulting and government relations to campaigns, nonprofit groups, and private-sector companies.
“Lynnel and Andree bring with them decades of experience both in Washington and Baton Rouge, as well as from the campaign trail,” said Kyle Ruckert. “Their unique talent and contacts will provide immediate value and depth to our clients and candidates alike. I couldn’t be more excited they are joining our team.”
Lynnel served as Majority Whip Steve Scalise’s chief of staff for eight years. During her D.C. tenure she worked with Congress and the White House to develop and execute strategy on major trade, health care and tax issues. Since returning to Louisiana she has served as Chief of Staff to Attorney General Jeff Landry, Assistant Treasurer and graduated from the Baton Rouge Chamber Leadership program.
Andree brings unique experience as a former fundraiser and event planner for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital. On Capitol Hill she crafted and advanced public policy for U.S. Senator David Vitter and served as a Professional Staff Member for the U.S. Senate Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. In Louisiana she worked for Congressman Garret Graves and Attorney General Jeff Landry.
Per Congressman Steve Scalise’s Facebook page:
Today House Democrats for the third time voted AGAINST paying federal workers as negotiations continue. I asked the House Democrat Majority Leader a simple question: how can Democrats claim to support workers when they refuse to pay them and instead use them as political pawns?
