LAGOP: John Bel Edwards Must Refuse Campaign Cash from Pro-Abortion Lobby

Democratic Governors Association Received Over $500,000 From Planned Parenthood Since Backing Edwards in 2015

(Baton Rouge, LA) – While Governor John Bel Edwards attempts to appeal to conservative voters in an election year by pledging to sign pro-life legislation, his campaign is receiving financial support and resources from national organizations that are funded by pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.

The Democratic Governors Association (DGA), which spent millions to help elect Edwards in 2015, and already has paid staffers on the ground to help his re-election efforts, has accepted $570,780 in contributions from Planned Parenthood Action Fund from 2015-2018.

Both Planned Parenthood and the DGA are actively campaigning against pro-life legislation across the country. Earlier this month, the DGA sent out an email opening with: “Friends, abortion rights are under attack in the states,” and recently tweeted that “attacks on women’s health care prove that the threat to women’s reproductive rights is real and present,” referencing legislation similar to Louisiana’s.

Leading national Democrats, including Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez and 2020 presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on the party to be “100 percent pro-choice.”

“Professional politician John Bel Edwards is trying to have it both ways. While he claims to be pro-life, his campaign machine is running on cash from groups funded by Planned Parenthood," said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “This year, the people of Louisiana will have the opportunity to elect a strong, pro-life governor who doesn’t have to beg for money from the abortion lobby.”

Meanwhile his supporters are pointing to his record as a liberal Democrat to make the case for organizations like the DGA to keep the dollars flowing. The Huffington Post reports that “Edwards’ supporters note he’s a mainstream Democrat on economic issues,” and Gumbo PAC Director Trey Ourso argues that Edwards “has been succeeding on many issues that Democrats care about and fight for.”

It’s past time for Edwards to put his money where his mouth is and reject any support from these pro-abortion groups. Until he does, John Bel Edwards is just another Democrat that Louisiana conservatives can't afford. 

LAGOP: PRESS RELEASE: Governor John Bel Edwards Caught Meddling in LSU Athletics

Secret Text Messages and Suspicious Behavior

Governor John Bel Edwards Caught Meddling in LSU Athletics

(Baton Rouge, LA) – Yesterday, we learned that Governor John Bel Edwards was apparently very determined to obtain inside information on the playing status of one of LSU’s star basketball players, before this information was made public. The Governor sent multiple text messages to several LSU administrators, and continued to follow-up on the conversations until he received the insider information he was seeking.

Of course, this could all just be a case of Governor Edwards being a fan…except that his office and staff have treated this report so strangely, lashing out at every mention of it and fighting any further news coverage.

The Governor’s team promptly began a “definitely not hiding anything” communications strategy by refusing to comply with a simple records request for two months, delaying the production of these easily accessible and easily searchable electronic records to the media.

Next, and still definitely not hiding anything, the Governor’s office redacted certain comments from the text messages and refused to provide his text conversation with an LSU attorney.

Still definitely not hiding anything, Governor Edwards sent his top lawyer to answer questions about the matter. His attorney then stated “He (the Governor) was not trying to weigh in on whether he (the player) should or should not play. That clearly did not happen and would not have happened.”

Now the Governor’s communication staff is shouting down this article on social media and vigorously retweeting “defenders” of the Governor getting involved in this situation – DEFINITELY. NOT. HIDING. ANYTHING.

We have a few questions:

With whom did the Governor share this insider information?

Did those same individuals bet on any LSU basketball games?

What did Governor Edwards and F. King Alexander discuss on the phone?

Who asked the Governor to obtain this information?

Why did the Governor need to know this information before the public learned of it?

Why did it take two months to respond to the records request?

Why did the Governor question those specific LSU administrators?

If the Governor’s interest in this matter was only personal, why did he discuss the matter with one of LSU’s attorneys?

Further, if Governor Edwards was “asking for a journalist” why does the content of his conversation with the LSU attorney require the protection of the attorney-client privilege?

LANDRY: Statement in Response to Judge Feldman’s Ruling in Coastal Permit Lawsuits

New Orleans, La. (May 29, 2019)

Following the ruling by U.S. District Court Judge Martin Feldman regarding removal actions in the coastal permit lawsuits targeting Louisiana’s energy industry, Melissa Landry, a spokesperson for the legal teams representing several major oil and natural gas companies named as defendants in the suits, released the following statement:

“Judge Feldman's ruling addressed the complex framework of federal laws at issue in this case and he found that there could be substantial grounds for a difference of opinions in deciding these important questions,” said Landry on behalf of the legal team representing Chevron, ConocoPhillips and ExxonMobil.

“We appreciate Judge Feldman’s decision to grant our motion for interlocutory appeal the issues analyzed in his ruling and we look forward to presenting our positions to the Fifth Circuit. As we’ve asserted from the beginning, these cases belong in federal court.

"The energy industry has lawfully operated in Louisiana for decades, employing thousands of Louisianans and contributing substantially to national, state and local economies. For decades, oil and gas operations have been carried out under federal supervision, and in compliance with federal laws and regulations, enacted to permit the responsible use and development of Louisiana's coastal resources while protecting the environment.

”Many of the activities at issue in this case were governed by federal permits and most of the operations took place long before the state implemented coastal management laws. The plaintiffs’ own experts acknowledged these facts.”

LOUISIANA FAMILY FORUM: Heartbeat Bill Passes!

BREAKING NEWS!

The Louisiana House of Representatives has passed the Heartbeat Bill, SB184 by Senator John Milkovich (D) Shreveport, which bans abortions in Louisiana after a medically detectable heartbeat is present. This law awaits the signature of Governor John Bel Edwards and only goes into effect once a similar Mississippi law makes its way through the court system.

Louisiana has once again demonstrated a pro-life ethic that respects women and determines to preserve and protect life.

The bill, carried by Representative Valarie Hodges surrounded by other pro-life women legislators, passed with a 79 to 23 vote.

LAGOP: Governor Edwards Flip-Flops on Support of Government Spending Cap

(Baton Rouge, LA) – In 2017, Governor Edwards surprised many of the Republicans in the legislature as his administration expressed support for a cap on government spending and limiting the amount the legislature could spend to 98% of projected revenues.

The Advocate reported on March 19, 2017, that the governor backed this 98% spending cap back when Sen. Jim Fannin (R-Jonesboro) authored it. “The governor is supportive of this idea because we want to make sure we’re good stewards of the public’s money,” said Kimberly Robinson, who heads the Revenue Department. “If we have unforeseen incidents such as hurricanes, tornadoes or floods that require state government to spend extra resources, the unspent money will be available.”

Fast forward to the present legislative session, Rep. Rick Edmonds (R-Baton Rouge) has authored a spending cap proposal that would go into effect next fiscal year and the Edwards administration suddenly opposes spending caps.

Matthew Block, speaking on behalf of the Governor, lashed out against the spending cap proposal calling the idea “intellectually dishonest” during the bill’s hearing at the Senate Finance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday. The bill, HB 147, would prevent the government from spending 2% of its total budget, amounting to $834 million over the next four fiscal years that could be put toward the rainy-day fund. The bill has passed the House and is awaiting its day on the Senate floor.

“The governor’s administration stated that they supported the idea once we got out of a budget crisis,” Edmonds said. “We have a surplus this year and there is no fiscal cliff on the horizon. What better time would there be to implement this measure?”

Abraham, Louisiana Delegation Urge USDA Help Farmers Affected by Morganza Spillway

May 29, 2019  

Press Release 

WASHINGTON - Congressman Ralph Abraham, M.D., R-Alto, and the Louisiana Congressional delegation are urging the US Department of Agriculture (USDA) to be prepared to aid farmers in the wake of damages from the opening of the Morganza Spillway.
 
Abraham, who is Louisiana’s only member of a Congressional agriculture committee, led the delegation in the letter. They sent it to USDA Sec. Sonny Perdue on Friday, May 24.
 
The spillway, which is scheduled to open on June 2 for just the third time in its 46-year history, is expected to flood 25,000 acres of farmland in the Atchafalaya Basin. It could result to a total crop and aquaculture loss in the region. The letter also notes that farmers in the state are still contending with Chinese tariffs and recent severe weather.
 
“[W]e urge you to stand ready not only to provide all appropriate U.S. Department of Agriculture emergency and non-emergency resources available to those adversely impacted, but to assist eligible farmers and producers to access available aid across the federal government,” the letter said. “As you know, the impact of these repeated hits will be felt not only for the season, but for years and generations beyond.”
 
Those signing the letter along with Abraham were U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy and U.S. Reps. Steve Scalise, Cedric Richmond, Garret Graves, Clay Higgins and Mike Johnson.
 
Read the letter here.

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LOGA and LMOGA Launch Southern Energy Conference

Baton Rouge, LA – May 28, 2019 – The inaugural Southern Energy Conference will take place September 17th and 18th, 2019, in Lafayette at the DoubleTree by Hilton, presented jointly by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association and the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association. 

The two-day event will provide attendees with:

• first-hand access to Louisiana’s gubernatorial candidates in a Gubernatorial Forum 

• critical updates on the oil and gas industry 

• CLE credits for professionals in multiple fields 

 Candidates Eddie Rispone and Congressman Ralph Abraham have both confirmed their attendance and Governor John Bel Edwards has been invited.  The Gubernatorial Forum will take place in the evening on Tuesday, September 17th. 

“Louisiana deserves to hear from the gubernatorial candidates about their qualifications for the state’s highest office and theirvision for Louisiana’s driving economic force, and that is unquestionably our upstream, midstream and downstream oil and gas industry,” said Gifford Briggs, President of Louisiana Oil and Gas Association. “The combined efforts of our allied organizations to bring the candidates together to present to the entire spectrum of Louisiana’s energy industry makes the firstSouthern Energy Conference this fall’s must-attend event.” 

“The partnership between LMOGA and LOGA to host the Southern Energy Conference highlights the importance of this can’t-miss industry event,” said Tyler Gray, President and General Counsel of LMOGA. “The two-day event will cover all industry sectors and priority issues impacting the oil and natural gas industry in Louisiana and in the Gulf of Mexico.”

Register and get more information at www.southernenergyconference.com. For the latest on social media follow #2019SEC.

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. LOGA services its membership by creating incentives for Louisiana’s oil & gas industry, warding off tax increases, changing existing burdensome regulations, and educating the public and government of the importance of the oil and gas industry in the state of Louisiana. Find out more information at: www.LOGA.la

About The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil & Gas Association

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.

LANDRY: Discharge Student Loans for Disabled Vets

BATON ROUGE, La. – (5/24/19) Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry today joined New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir Grewal, Utah Attorney General Sean Reyes, and 49 other Attorneys General in a bipartisan effort urging the U.S. Department of Education (DOE) to automatically forgive the student loans of veterans who became totally and permanently disabled in connection with their military service.

Read more: AG Jeff Landry joins calls for discharge of student loans for permanently disabled veterans

The Drug Rebate Rule: What’s the Budget Impact?

Numerous actuarial studies were conducted to analyze the potential impacts. The estimates vary significantly as a result of the broad range of assumptions about the likely behavioral responses from the affected stakeholders. The following are some key findings from those studies:

• This rule will result in some degree of increased premiums for everyone, but notable out-of-pocket cost savings for some;

• While around only 30 percent of beneficiaries will likely see net savings, their savings are expected to be so large that the overall beneficiary impact will be a net savings; and

• Cost estimates for the federal government range from savings of $99.6 billion over 10 years to costing the government $196 billion over the same period.

Read more: The Drug Rebate Rule: What’s the Budget Impact?

GONSOULIN: DOT Needs To Be Addressed

Ricky Gonsulin, candidate for Louisiana House of Representatives, shares his thoughts on the Louisiana Department of Transportation and Development.   

LAGOP: Is New Orleans a Sanctuary City? #CityOfYes

Actions of John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Democrats are a Continued Threat to Louisiana Citizens

Baton Rouge, LA – Voters aren’t eager to live in so-called sanctuary communities. A new Rasmussen Reports national telephone and online surveyfound that only 36% of voters want their city to be a sanctuary city for illegal immigrants. Over half (51%) do not want to live in a sanctuary community that refuses to cooperate with federal immigration authorities.

“Illegal immigration has real-life consequences – countless numbers of needless crime victims, including too many Louisiana families and children.” tweeted Attorney General Jeff Landry.

FOX NEWS  – Illegal immigrant arrested, accused of more than 100 child sex crimes

KALB – Illegal alien arrested for distributing child porn

WAFB – Man wanted for homicide in Honduras arrested in Livingston Parish

ADVOCATE – Man wanted in El Salvador on a murder charge is captured near Baton Rouge

Earlier this month, the New Orleans Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) field office arrested 33 illegal aliensduring a week-long surge. During the 2018 Fiscal Year the New Orleans ICE field office arrested a total of 10,270 removable foreign nationals on administrative immigration violations. Of those arrested, 89% had either a prior criminal conviction or a pending criminal charge.

States such as Texas, Mississippi, Georgia, Alabama and North Carolina have passed laws banning sanctuary cities. Despite its conservative population, Louisiana remains one of the few Southern states that hasn't passed its own version of a sanctuary city ban. Republican Representative Valarie Hodges passionately defended her measure to penalize sanctuary cities and guided it through the Louisiana House multiple times.

Unfortunately, in both years the bills died in Senate committees controlled by John Bel Edwards and the Democrats.

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REAL-LIFE ‘NARCOS’ DEA AGENTS RAISE RED FLAGS OVER FLORIDA’S NEW DRUG IMPORT MEASURE

 “We’re not talking about painkillers and things like that, we’re talking about cancer meds, HIV, respiratory disease, COPD — that kind of thing,” Murphy told The Daily Caller News Foundation in a phone interview. “In our research and working with the Partnership for Safe Medicines, we’ve learned that seven other states have tried [drug importation laws], and it hasn’t worked anywhere yet.”

The measure would allow Florida to import pharmaceuticals from Canada at a lower cost, and passed the Florida House by a vote of 93-22 in April. It later passed in the state Senate by a vote of 27-13 and is awaiting Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’s signature.

Read more:  REAL-LIFE ‘NARCOS’ DEA AGENTS RAISE RED FLAGS OVER FLORIDA’S NEW DRUG IMPORT MEASURE

Louisiana: Standing Strong for Life

This is why I am proud to be from Louisiana. Another step closer to stopping murder in the womb.

The measure would codify the Legislature’s stance on abortion if the landmark Supreme Court decision Roe v. Wade was overturned. The state already has laws on the books that would ban abortions if that happened.

The Senate voted 31 to 4 to pass the measure, sending it back to the House for concurrence on changes made to the bill. State Rep. Katrina Jackson, D-Monroe, carried the bill, which was supported by anti-abortion groups like the Louisiana Right to Life.

Read more: Louisiana Senate OKs public vote on declaring abortion unconstitutional

LAGOP: Audit Bombshell: Edwards Administration Admits to Ignoring State Law

Louisiana Department of Health caught handing out millions per month in illegal Medicaid payments to Governor’s campaign donors

Baton Rouge, LA – Last week, Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera released the latest audit covering the Louisiana Department of Health. This report details the lack of compliance of the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), behavioral health providers, and managed care organizations with certain provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute 40:2162.

The audit found that 114,963 (40.2 percent) of the 286,307 Medicaid claims submitted and paid for psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) and community psychiatric support (CPST) and treatment services provided between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2019, DID NOT include the National Provider Identification (NPI) number of the individual who provided the service.

These illegally paid claims represent $10,504,923 (40.4 percent) of the $26,023,323 paid for PSR and CPST services over the same three-month period.

This accountability requirement was introduced in the 2018 Regular Session as SB564 by Democratic Senator Jay Luneau. It passed both through both chambers unanimously and was signed by the Governor, but apparently after signing the new law, John Bel Edwards threw it in the trash!

The Edwards Administration and the Louisiana Department of Health simply chose to ignore the law and the Louisiana Legislature; costing taxpayers MILLIONS every month and would end up costing the state ABOUT $40 MILLION by the end of the year.

The State Superintendent of Education is begging for $15 million for early childhood education. The state legislature is currently fighting over $39 millionin school funding. Meanwhile, John Bel Edwards and his Louisiana Department of Health are breaking the law and on-pace to give away $40 million of taxpayer money.
 Yesterday, the groups involved called this illegal $10 million handout a “technical glitch” and focused on the provider side of the problem.

Why is the Louisiana Department of Health intentionally paying MILLIONS in illegal Medicaid claims?

The same companies taking taxpayer money through these illegal claims are bending over backwards to funnel campaign money to Governor John Bel Edwards. The people of Louisiana deserve better.

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LAGOP: Gov. Edwards Manipulates Economic Data, Attempts to Trick Local Media

Baton Rouge, LA – Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics released new economic data.

In response to this report, Governor Edwards and his campaign team released a statement and took to social media trying to spin these statistics before the media could read the report.

Wait a second…3.5%? Is that a typo? No. It is an intentional manipulation of the data to fit their political agenda. The Governor’s team has decided to use “non-seasonally adjusted” numbers.

According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: “As a general rule, the monthly employment and unemployment numbers reported in the news areseasonally adjusted data.Seasonally adjusted data are useful when comparing several months of data. Annual average estimates are calculated from the not seasonally adjusted data series.”

“There are fewer workers and fewer jobs in Louisiana today than last month and last year. How long is this Governor going to get away with lying about economic numbers?" said LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch.

This was not a mistake. This is an intentional misrepresentation of the data by the Governor and his campaign team.

The people of Louisiana know that under John Bel Edwards, Louisiana is falling behind the nation. In fact, since John Bel Edwards was elected Governor, more than 65,000 people have left Louisiana to find a job in another state where they can enjoy the full benefits of President Trump’s economic policy.

“This Governor prioritized meeting with an American Idol over meeting with the American President. The people of Louisiana see right through this pathetic attempt by John Bel Edwards to steal credit for President Trump’s economic success,” said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison.

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LAGOP: Gov. Edwards Named Politician of the Year by Drug Rehab Company Accused of “the Closest Thing to Slavery”

Baton Rouge, LA –State officials in Texas and Louisiana have launched multiple probesinto the Cenikor Foundation following an investigation by Reveal that found the prominent drug rehabilitation services provider has turned patients into an unpaid labor force for private companies.

"It's like the closest thing to slavery," said Logan Tullier, a former Cenikor participant who worked 10 hours per day at oil refineries, laying steel rebar in 115-degree heat. "We were making them all the money."

Yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards provided cover for Cenikor, saying he was confident the Department of Health would investigate any complaints.

Unfortunately for Governor Edwards, the Louisiana Department of Health had already cleared Cenikor. Records released Monday show department investigators found that Cenikor failed to conduct background checks on certain staff and that the kitchen was physically unsafe for residents. However, after spending two days at Cenikor, the department closed its investigation and gave Cenikor permission to continue providing treatment services.

Why are John Bel Edwards and his Louisiana Department of Health covering for this company instead of condemning it?

Why are John Bel Edwards and his Louisiana Department of Health still sending Cenikor our tax dollars via Medicaid if they might be abusing our citizens?

Just a few months ago, Cenikor named Gov. John Bel Edwards “Cenikor’s elected official of the year.”

"Organizations like the Cenikor Foundation provide life-saving treatment services and rehabilitation programs to individuals across the state who are working to free themselves from substance abuse and addiction. Our administration has made incredible strides to combat drug abuse and promote treatment options, and I am humbled to accept this Cenikor honor on their behalf,” Governor Edwards posted on Facebook after accepting the award.

With this conflict of interest, Governor Edwards has focused on distancing himself from the scandal while covering for Cenikor. Thankfully for Louisiana, Attorney General Jeff Landry has filled the void left by our cowering Governor and is taking action to make sure Cenikor is held accountable.

Landry is investigating Cenikor for possible Medicaid fraud. The program receives Medicaid funding and has received millions of dollars in state contracts for behavioral health services. A spokesman declined to comment on the investigation but said, "If there's evidence of a crime that involves Medicaid, that's something our office takes a strong interest in.”

In addition to government investigations, former patients are suing the rehab program for back wages in four separate lawsuits, and two of Cenikor's biggest work contracts have stopped using workers from the program.


Read the full story at: Reveal News

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“Honor Code” Leads Louisiana to Last Place Yet Again

Photo source: Wikipedia 

After all the talk about his “Honor Code” during the election, it seems like Gov. John Bel Edwards couldn’t lead an elementary school parade, much less the State of Louisiana.

Louisiana ranked at or near the bottom in all categories. Fiscal stability was the state’s strongest category ranking (43rd). U.S. News acknowledged the Louisiana government’s relatively stable credit score and a liquidity that was on par with the national average.

But the state ranked last in crime, natural environment and opportunity. The list noted a poverty rate well above the national average and average household income of $46,165 (roughly $14,000 short of the national average). The state’s incarceration rate is among the worst in the country and violent crime is high.

Louisiana, don’t fall for this clown’s crap come November. Vote Republican!

Hopefully Another Vitter Will Be Serving in DC Soon

Wendy Vitter, wife of former Senator David Vitter of Louisiana, will find out this week if she will be confirmed to a seat to the federal bench

Vitter, 58, has the backing of both of Louisiana’s Republican U.S. senators, Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy, who have lauded her qualifications through the process.

“Wendy Vitter is extremely qualified and I look forward to voting for her,” Cassidy said Wednesday after several of his Democratic colleagues raised questions on the Senate floor about Vitter’s positions on abortion and school segregation. “It’s a shame the liberal left is using fabricated political smears to suppress the voice of a strong conservative woman."

Vitter, a staunch pro-life supporter, has caught the ire of the pro-death, baby-killing Democrats in the US Senate.

Read more: Wendy Vitter's nomination to federal bench will get U.S. Senate vote this week

LOGA: Mid-Session and Presidential Visit Debrief

Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association, gives a mid-session and Presidential visit debrief on Facebook.

Trump: A Win in 2020 and Lake Charles Gets a New Bridge

In what was likely a moment of levity during his visit today, President Trump promised a new bridge on I10 for Lake Charles if he is re-elected. Or, it may have been because the motorcade had to cross that disaster. Either way, see the video below:

Big win for Calcasieu Parish - the I-10 bridge will be rebuilt! Thank you @realDonaldTrump, I am proud to have been by your side for this major announcement. Together, we’re winning for Louisiana! pic.twitter.com/MDmWKeEVI0

— Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@BillCassidy) May 14, 2019