Governor Jeff Landry Announces Major Win for Independent Pharmacies

Will give pharmacies more options and create improved access to life saving medications 

Baton Rouge, LA–Today, Governor Jeff Landry announced the approval of an emergency contract that will improve reimbursement rates for independent pharmacists and will give Louisianans better access to prescription medications. Independent pharmacies will have the choice to be reimbursed under the old terms of the contract or they can be reimbursed using the National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC) model. 

“Under this emergency contract, pharmacists will have a choice.  Independent pharmacies will have the opportunity to remain in their current contracting arrangement or opt in to the newly created arrangement available only to independent pharmacies. No longer will our local pharmacies continue to lose money as they try to serve their community. This is a major win for local pharmacies and the people of Louisiana,” said Governor Jeff Landry. 

Background:

Under a previous contract negotiated under the former governor (that did not receive Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget approval), many independents could no longer service Office of Group Benefits (OGB) members because they were losing money to fill prescriptions.  This created pharmacy deserts in some of the rural areas of the state, and it impacted patient choice. Since January, at the direction of Governor Landry, the administration including Heath Williams, the newly appointed Office of Group Benefits CEO, have been working on innovative solutions that will help Louisianans have better access to prescription medications while also aiding struggling hometown independent pharmacies across the state.

CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SPEAK AT RONALD REAGAN NEWSMAKER LUNCHEON THURSDAY, MARCH 30

CANDIDATES FOR ATTORNEY GENERAL TO SPEAK AT RONALD REAGAN NEWSMAKER LUNCHEON THURSDAY, MARCH 30 — The three Republican candidates for Attorney General in this fall’s election will speak at a special meeting of the Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon at 12 noon Thursday, March 30, 2023, at Café Américain, 7521 Jefferson Hwy. in Baton Rouge.

Louisiana Solicitor General Liz Murrill, Baton Rouge attorney Marty Maley, and Rep. John Stefanski of Crowley will address Capital area Republican leaders and answer their questions.

The primary election for Governor, Attorney General, other statewide offices, the legislature, and parishwide officials is set for Saturday, Oct. 14. The Reagan luncheon is sponsored by the Republican Party of East Baton Rouge Parish, which is expected to make an endorsement in the Attorney General’s race soon. The parish chairman is former Rep. Woody Jenkins. The meeting is open to the public, and reservations are not necessary. Lunch is $25 payable to the restaurant at the door and is complimentary for members of the working media.

Liz Murrill is Louisiana’s first Solicitor General.  A native of Lafayette, she has been married more than 30 years and has four sons.  She has practiced law for more than 30 years and has argued five cases before the U.S. Supreme Court defending the people of Louisiana.  She has handled a total of more than 200 cases before the Supreme Court, where she has a 98 percent success rate. She is pro-life and winner of the Louisiana Right to Life Leadership for Life Award.  She has defended Louisiana’s pro-life laws before the U.S. Supreme Court.  She is pro-Second Amendment and has a lifetime concealed carry permit. She has filed multiple briefs supporting the Second Amendment before the Supreme Court. She received her law degree from LSU where she was Editor in Chief of the Louisiana Law Review. She also earned a Master of Laws degree from Pepperdine Law School.

Martin K. Maley, Sr. prosecuted criminals and has been practicing law in Louisiana for over 32 years. He earned his Juris Doctor degree in law from Southern University Law Center in 1991 and began working as a Staff Attorney at the Louisiana District Attorneys Association. For 17 years, his duties as a Staff Attorney took on various roles: drug prosecution, civil drug asset forfeiture, white collar crime, DWI prosecution, training law enforcement at all levels, legislative support services, and general counsel and research services to the district attorneys and assistant district attorneys across the state. Formerly, he was a felony trial prosecutor in the 18th Judicial District, handling all types of serious felony matters. He served in that role for 11 years. Marty Maley has been a civil trial attorney since 1991 and owns and operates a civil law firm with offices in Baton Rouge, Port Allen, and Napoleonville.

John Stefanski is an attorney who received his law degree from Loyola in New Orleans.  He has served as a Republican member of the Louisiana House of Representatives since 2018 and serves as chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee.  In that capacity, he was instrumental in the reapportionment of Louisiana’s Congressional seats.  He says he will fight crime and defend Louisiana families from federal and state overreach and corrupt politicians.  He has represented the Acadia Parish Sheriff’s office, Assessor’s office, and Clerk’s office as their attorney. In the upcoming legislative session, he plans to author tough legislation to update Louisiana law to take violent criminals and Fentanyl off the streets. 

The Ronald Reagan Newsmaker Luncheon is normally held at 12 noon on the second Tuesday of the month at Café Américain. For further information, email WoodyJenkins2020@hotmail.com.

PHOTOS (left to right): Attorney Marty Maley, Rep. John Stefanski, and Solicitor General Liz Murrill

LOGA Comments on OPEC+ Deal, Likely Impact on Louisiana Energy Producers

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 13, 2020) — Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Gifford Briggs issued the following statement today in response to the announcement of a new deal between members of the Organization of the Petroleum Exporting Countries and other major producers like Russia, known as OPEC+, to reduce global oil production by just under 10 million barrels a day beginning next month. 

“The OPEC+ deal may eventually help move the needle in the right direction, but the cuts announced Sunday fall far short of the meaningful measures that Louisiana’s independent oil and gas producers need to survive,” Briggs said.

“Our industry is on the verge of collapsing. This is a time for bold, decisive action, not small steps in the right direction. With tens of thousands of jobs and millions of dollars in tax revenue at risk, it is essential for policymakers at all levels of government to implement aggressive and immediate solutions to offset the expectation of prolonged shut-in wells, a massively oversupplied world oil market and the global shutdown of our economy.” 

“At the federal level, we urge members of Congress to support a temporary elimination of offshore royalties in the Gulf of Mexico to prevent thousands of leases from being shut in,” Briggs said.

“At the state level, we urge Louisiana lawmakers to provide immediate severance tax relief and support legislation to address the government sponsored coastal lawsuits.  These important steps will let Louisiana energy companies stay in business, so they can keep people working and keep wells flowing.” 

The plan by OPEC+ will slash 9.7 million barrels a day, or close to 10 percent of the world’s output, in May or June. The market responded to the news of a deal last Thursday with a drop in the futures price for West Texas Intermedia (WTI), signaling a belief that the cuts were not deep enough.

Global oil storage capacity is quickly becoming a threat, with many experts predicting that storage will dry up completely sometime in May. This threat has already become widespread reality in Louisiana where producers are being crippled by below-$10/bbl agreements and limited production sales for May crude deliveries. 

“The futures market is not a true representation of what is happening on the ground here in Louisiana.  Companies simply cannot survive when they cannot sell the oil they produce, and what they do sell at such a low price. We need help!”

About the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association 

The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association was organized in 1992 to represent the Independent and service sectors of the oil and gas industry in Louisiana; this representation includes exploration, production and oilfield services. LOGA’s primary goal is to provide our industry with a working environment that will enhance the industry. Find out more information at http://www.loga.la

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LASSEIGNE: Under This Current Governor, Our Oil and Gas Industry Has Been Thrown Into Utter Chaos

Photo source: LSU Foundation

The oil and gas industry is the heartbeat of Louisiana’s economy. Louisiana has the potential to be one of the largest exports of oil and gas in the nation, but under this current governor, our oil and gas industry has been thrown into utter chaos. John Bel Edwards waged a war on our most prosperous industry the first day he was in office. He let his special interest, liberal allies dictate policy and decision making. He held them hostage and when they refused to be extorted by him he let his trial lawyer buddies sue them for billions of dollars.

Louisiana cannot afford four more years of a governor who favors trial lawyers over jobs and job creators. Under this governor, we have lost more jobs and allowed trial lawyers to gain more control. If John Bel Edwards is to be elected for the next four years, we can all but guarantee that our Oil and Gas industry will no longer exist. We have to elect Eddie Rispone as our next governor - he will unleash the power of the industry and bring jobs back to our great state.

Raymond Lasseigne
President, TMR Exploration
Bossier City

Louisiana's coast needs solutions, not shakedowns

Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association

The scheme recently announced by private plaintiffs' attorneys, which purports to provide a framework to settle government lawsuits targeting hundreds of energy producers over alleged coastal land loss claims, perfectly illustrates what we've known for a long time: these trial lawyer-driven lawsuits are a farce that have nothing to do with saving the coast.

Let's look at the facts.

In 2013, trial lawyers began pursuing litigation that seeks to hold Louisiana oil and gas companies hostage and punish them for legally conducting production activities, which were encouraged and welcomed by the state and carried out under rigorous state and federal regulations many decades ago. Six years of these divisive and unproductive legal attacks have failed to produce anything for our coast, while a similar baseless lawsuit was thrown out of federal court.

Then three weeks before critical elections are held across the state, lawyers representing six coastal parishes announce they've reached a breakthrough “settlement” with one sulfur mining company involved in the litigation that no longer does business in Louisiana. The deal would supposedly generate $23.5 million in cash payments that would be put into a fund and divvied up by a new state agency that does not exist. Another $76.5 million could be generated "subject to contemporaneous reimbursements from the proceeds of the prior sales of environmental credits.” Reams of lawyers, reporters and policymakers are still trying to figure out what that means.

Despite the lack of clarity, the plaintiffs’ lawyers steering this legal train wreck have provided no additional explanation, and it seems unlikely they will do so anytime soon.

Multiple news reports have revealed the attorneys did not discuss the supposed “deal” with many state and local officials, the named plaintiffs in these cases, while it was being negotiated. It is deeply troubling that elected officials across the coast continue to say they haven't seen the proposed settlement, and they weren't consulted on the details. One parish leader summed it up perfectly, saying, "I don't know nothing."

Specific terms of the proposed settlement still haven't been publicly released. But Gov. John Bel Edwards, who has received significant financial support from the lawyers driving this litigation, was quick to lend his support for the deal saying, “While the details are being conclusively negotiated, I am hopeful that the conceptual framework in this settlement will be used as a model for resolving other similar actions.”

We disagree with the governor and his trial lawyer supporters. This is a shakedown, not a solution.

We should not allow a small group of unelected trial lawyers with unbridled discretion to rewrite flood protection, coastal restoration and economic policy for the entire state of Louisiana through secret agreements that have been negotiated behind closed doors without input from state and local officials.

Strengthening Louisiana's working coast is a shared goal that requires collaboration amongst industry, policymakers, and world-class coastal researchers to develop real serious, science-based solutions. Trial lawyer-driven lawsuits and behind the scenes settlement schemes are not the answer.

Have You Seen the “Honor Code” Pic With the Little League Champs

On a recent visit to the Governor’s Mansion, the World Champs from River Ridge were treated to the now sold out Popeye’s chicken sandwiches.

Not content in letting this moment be about the boys, the arrogant Cajun Obama made it about himself and put himself in front of the boys.

If this doesn’t scream arrogance, nothing else does.

LAGOP: As the radical resistance comes to Louisiana, where is John Bel Edwards?

Baton Rouge, LA - Three leading members of the radical liberal “resistance” are descending on Louisiana this weekend for the College Democrats Summer Conference in New Orleans. 

California Rep. Maxine Waters, “Squad” member Rep. Rashida Tlaib, and former Georgia gubernatorial candidate Stacey Abrams are at Tulane University this weekend, motivating their socialist troops to reelect Governor John Bel Edwards. 

Despite his best efforts to fool Louisiana voters, Edwards’ connections to the radical left are well-established. 

He was a vocal supporter and superdelegate for Hillary Clinton, who advocates for Democrats to “resist, insist, persist, enlist” against President Trump. Far-left groups including the George Soros backed American Bridge, pro-impeachment Indivisible, and Abrams’ Fair Fight 2020 are supporting his reelection. And Edwards even donated $5,000 to Abrams’ failed gubernatorial campaign last year. 

John Bel Edwards and Louisiana Democrats need to answer – do they support the radical positions and hateful statements espoused by Abrams, Tlaib, and Waters? 

Abrams has suggested that illegal immigrants are part of the “blue wave” electorate: “But the thing of it is, the blue wave is African-American. It’s white, it’s Latino, it’s Asian-Pacific Islander. It is disabled. It is differently-abled. It is LGBTQ. It is law enforcement. It is veterans. It is made up of those who've been told that they are not worthy of being here. It is comprised of those who are documented and undocumented." 

Abrams supports efforts to impeach President Trump:VIDEO: “[I]mpeachment is absolutely a lever we need to look at…” 

Abrams attacked law enforcement officers, equating them with terrorists: “Democratic candidate for Georgia governor Stacey Abrams said Wednesday night that a program of the Whitfield County Sheriff's Office ‘terrorizes families.’” 

Tlaib used vulgar language when calling for the impeachment of President Trump: VIDEO: “We’re going to go in and impeach the motherf***er.” 

Tlaib supports abolishing ICE and claims that the agency has “militarized” communities: “Southwest Detroit is militarized because of ICE. It’s not keeping our families safe—it’s making families live in fear. It’s an international border neighborhood. [ICE has] shifted toward targeting Americans and our neighbors, folks trying to do the right thing. It’s made immigration a militarized operation. I want it abolished.” 

Waters encouraged her supporters to harass Trump administration officials in public places like restaurants and gas stations: "Let's make sure we show up wherever we have to show up. And if you see anybody from that Cabinet in a restaurant, in a department store, at a gasoline station, you get out and you create a crowd. And you push back on them. And you tell them they're not welcome anymore, anywhere.” 

Waters stated that members of the Tea Party movement could “go straight to hell”: This is a tough game. You can't be intimidated. You can't be frightened. And as far as I'm concerned -- the Tea Party can go straight to hell.” 

Waters supports allowing the federal government to take control of private companies:“And guess what this liberal will be all about. This liberal will be all about socializ… uh, uh … would be about [long pause] basically taking over, and the government running all of your companies.” 

Jeff Landry Hosts Annual Alligator Hunt

This weekend, AG Jeff Landry hosted his annual Alligator Hunt, with hundreds of supporters coming out to enjoy Cajun hospitality.

Several local elected officials, along with those seeking elected office, were in attendance, including Dr. Ralph Abraham, who is looking to unseat Louisiana’s Cajun Obama, John Bel Edwards.

LAGOP: DisGraced Notes: Drew Brees should’ve known better than to associate with victim silencer and enabler of a known sexual predator

The local left-wing media is currently OUTRAGED that Saints quarterback Drew Brees appeared in a commercial to promote a program dedicated to getting Bibles into schools. Yes, you read that right. Earlier this week, left-wing ideologues descended on the group and decided to rebrand this clearly pro-Christian advertisement into some manufactured LGBTQ crisis. Then, they decided to make Brees guilty by association. This episode has definitely taught Brees a lesson. No matter how great a guy you are, no matter how much you give back, no matter how important you are to the city – today’s virtue signaling, outrage driven media will always think they know better than you. They will never miss an opportunity to cut you down just to score social points and they will always use their shrinking platform to force their agenda onto you and your family through shame and manufactured outrage. What a stark change in tone from last month when the exact same media outlet was gushing about Brees throwing footballs with their chosen Governor John Bel Edwards, or appearing in a conveniently timed “public service announcement” with the same desperate candidate. That is how it works with today’s Trump-deranged media, ANYTHING is ok, ANYTHING can be justified, as long as it promotes THEIR political agenda, but as soon as you invade their safe space and they feel triggered…watch out. If John Bel Edwards were conservative (LOL), you would have read the headline above in The Advocate a month ago.

• FACT: John Bel Edwards hired a KNOWN sexual predator to be his Deputy Chief of Staff.

• FACT: This same Deputy Chief of Staff sexually harassed another employee in the Edwards Administration.

• FACT: In the middle of the state’s “fiscal cliff” debate, John Bel Edwards paid oversix figures in settlement and legal fees, all paid withTAXPAYER MONEY.

• FACT: Attorneys for John Bel Edwards and his Deputy Chief of Staff included a “non-disparagement clause” as part of the settlement tosilence the victim.

As triggered opinion writer Stephanie Grace hypocritically notes in today's Advocate, “A guy like him (Drew Brees) has to know that any group (or desperate politician running for reelection) would want to have its profile boosted by, well, a guy like him…He really should be more careful about how he lets other people with other agendas use it.” Drew Brees is NOT responsible for every opinion of Focus on the Family, just like Brees is NOT responsible for John Bel Edwards hiring a sexual predator and then silencing his victim. Drew Brees is responsible for throwing touchdowns and winning another Super Bowl. Brees is responsible for the words that come out of HIS mouth. That’s it. Louisiana loves football because it is everything politics isn’t. While the media is using politics to drive us apart – in Louisiana, we use sports to bring folks together. When it comes to football, let’s all just leave our politics on the sidelines.

Criminal Justice Reform Fail!!!

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators released its first ad of the 2019 campaign season highlighting AG Jeff Landry's efforts to keep us safe and expose the flaws in recent criminal justice reforms. 

LAGOP: NEWS UPDATE: Scandals and Controversy Are Surrounding John Bel Edwards (Part II)

Baton Rouge, LA – Yesterday we covered FOUR of the scandals surrounding John Bel Edwards. (You can read Part One here.)

But you guessed it- there’s STILL MORE!

SCANDAL #5

Last year, John Bel Edwards proudly announced that Wanhua Chemical planned to invest one and a quarter billion dollars in a new plastics plant in the St. James community of Convent. 

Louisiana taxpayers will be paying for the privilege: Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat,has pledged a cash grant of more than $4 million to the company.

Those plans were delayed this summer when it was learned that a division of the company sought trade tariff exemptions, and also wanted to have the plant property declared a foreign trade zone through the Port of South Louisiana, both of which measures could mean less tax revenue for the community.

According to analysis from The Washington Times, Kimberly Terrell, Director of Community Outreach at Tulane Environmental Law Clinic in New Orleans and a scientist by training, stated, “In its response to the Land Use Permit Appeal [to St. James Parish], Wanhua falsely claimed that neither Wanhua U.S. nor Wanhua China is owned by the Chinese government.”

However, Ms. Terrell says, “publicly filed documents contradict this claim by proving that Wanhua U.S. is 100% owned by Wanhua China, and that Wanhua China’s ‘ultimate controlling shareholder’ is a municipal government of the PRC. Like all local governments, Yantai is entirely controlled by the PRC central government and the Communist Party of China.” Wanhua even has its own Communist Party committee embedded within the company’s leadership structure.

At the same time the Trump administration is calling China “an economic enemy” and their business practices a threat to “the economic and national security of the U.S.,” John Bel Edwards has identified the People’s Republic of China as Louisiana’s “primary foreign direct investment” partner!

SCANDAL #6

Earlier this month, The Washington Times reported that when John Bel Edwards visited Hollywood in October, he was seeking money, not controversy. Instead, he got both.

Universal Pictures filmed “The Hunt” in New Orleans, Louisiana, earlier this year. The studio selected the location only a few months after Democrat Gov. Edwards traveled to Hollywood to discuss Louisiana’s controversial film tax credit program and raise money for his reelection campaign. Edwards met with Universal Pictures and other studio executives in Los Angeles, California, in October 2018.
 
The production was for “The Hunt,” a recently canceled Universal Studios movie that depicted liberal elites hunting down “deplorables” — a phrase 2016 Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton used to describe supporters of then-candidate Donald Trump.

President Trump slammed “Liberal Hollywood” as the “true racists” and decried “The Hunt” for attempting to “inflame and cause chaos.”

Universal canceled the movie’s release, slated for Sept. 27, in the aftermath of the mass shootings in El Paso, Texas, and Dayton, Ohio.

SCANDAL #7

Last summer, while John Bel Edwards was threatening to throw seniors out of nursing homes and cancel LSU Footballbecause of the “fiscal cliff”, the State of Louisiana was forced to spend over $100,000 of taxpayer money to settle a sexual harassment suit against his deputy chief of staff.

Most disturbingly, John Bel Edwards, his deputy chief of staff and their attorneys attempted to silence the victim. According to a report fromNOLA.com, as part of the settlement, the woman, Anderson and the Governor’s office cannot make "disparaging remarks" about one another.

Why did John Bel Edwards ever hire Johnny Anderson as deputy chief of staff, after Anderson had previously faced claims of sexual harassment when he worked for Governor Kathleen Blanco more than a decade ago?

SCANDAL #8

Earlier this summer, John Bel Edwards kicked off his campaign for reelection in his childhood hometown of Amite, Louisiana. The event was hosted by Amite Mayor Buddy Bel and emceed by Amite businessman Tom Brumfield.

Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel accused by the Amite Police Chief of cutting the power to the local evidence room and allowing it to be burglarized.

Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel who was subpoenaed by FBI investigators regarding his connection with a vote buying scheme in Tangipahoa Parish.

Yes, this is the same Tom Brumfield that was ALSO subpoenaed by federal agents regarding his involvement with the same vote buying investigation.

According to an exclusive report by The Advocate: The FBI has cast a wide net, examining parish races going back to 2011, two sources stated. Yet agents have taken a special interest in certain political operatives, including Louis Ruffino, a former mayor of Roseland who for years has offered "get out the vote" services to local candidates.

Long-time Tangipahoa Sheriff Daniel Edwards, John Bel Edwards’ brother, said he never hired Ruffino, the north shore operative who is under federal investigation. But John Bel Edwards acknowledged paying Ruffino $8,750 ahead of his 2011 re-election to the Louisiana House of Representatives to put up signs and perform other “routine campaign work”.

SCANDAL #9

Shortly after John Bel Edwards moved into the Governor’s Mansion, the FBI raided his brother Daniel’s Tangipahoa Sheriff’s Department. "We are conducting multiple court authorized actions. The investigations are ongoing. We have no further comment at this time," said Craig Betbez, public information officer for the FBI New Orleans’ office. 

The Advocate reported that three of its enforcement sources said the raid is related to a broader federal investigation of a drug task force that has come under scrutiny for allegedly selling confiscated narcotics and tampering with witnesses.

The task force included several members of the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office and was led by Chad Scott, a special agent with the U.S. Drug Enforcement Agency who has been suspended from duty as a result of the probe, the newspaper reported.

According to a report from NOLA.com, the materials taken by federal agents included a computer from the office of Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards.

"It's very unusual for the FBI to raid the office of a sitting governor's brother, irrespective of whether he's sheriff," one senior law enforcement official said.

The people of Louisiana deserve better. Make Louisiana work again. FIRE John Bel Edwards.

LAGOP: NEWS UPDATE: Scandals and Controversy Are Surrounding John Bel Edwards

Baton Rouge, LA – The Edwards family is not new to political scandal, but over the last three years this Edwards administration has become so corrupt that even members of the local press have taken notice:

SCANDAL #1

While John Bel Edwards is busy campaigning and promoting his Medicaid expansion program, the bidders for the next round of multibillion-dollar contracts to manage health services for Medicaid patients are accusing the Edwards administration of bias and conflicts of interest.

According to a report from the Associated Press, both Republican AND Democratic lawmakers are worrying publicly about whether health care access will be disrupted for half a million Medicaid enrollees, many of whom are in Edwards' expansion program.

Even Democratic U.S. Rep. Cedric Richmond sent a letter to Governor Edwards arguing that Louisiana's health department has been plagued by technology problems that would likely make it difficult to shift patients to new health plans without "at least some of these patients falling through the cracks for a time."

Several lawmakers from both parties have publicly questioned how Humana Health Benefit Plan of Louisiana, which hasn't done Medicaid managed care work in the state but was handed a contract by the Edwards’ administration, will quickly ramp up to service a new health plan without a network of doctors, clinics and hospitals available to Medicaid patients.

The Governor and his health department are defending the bid evaluation and contractor selection, saying it followed the detailed requirements laid out in Louisiana procurement law.

"We anticipate that we're going to be able to move forward without any interruption in services," the Governor assured us. Unfortunately for the Governor, he was promptly contradicted by his administration’s own health department, which asserted in that there would likely be claims made in the paperwork filed with the state procurement office about the dispute over the contracts.

In a letter to Louisiana's chief procurement officer, the Louisiana Department of Health warned that if the ongoing legal challenges caused delays in contract negotiations, that could "disrupt and jeopardize the provision of health care to more than one million of Louisiana's most vulnerable citizens”.

This controversy is just getting started and will likely ramp up over the next few weeks.

But wait… there’s more:

SCANDAL #2

This past weekend we learnedthat John Bel’s dark money group, Gumbo PAC, is relying on more than just Planned Parenthood money being funneled through the hyper-liberal Democratic Governors Association- its biggest Louisiana donor is New Horizons USA PAC. This new dark money group was founded by Dominick Fazzio, the longtime chief financial officer at River Birch Landfill and former target of a four-year federal investigation for his role in payroll and embezzlement conspiracies.

New Horizons USA PAC has given at least $200,000 to Gumbo PAC and is funded primarily by two companies owned and operated by Fred Heebe and Jim Ward: River Birch and Willow LLC, a development company. Since Edwards’ election in 2015, River Birch has funneled at least $150,000 into New Horizons, and Willow has contributed $100,000.

According to a report from The Advocate, Ward, Heebe and other landfill executives are some of the largest financial backers of the effort to reelect Gov. John Bel Edwards, even as they prepare their defense in a civil racketeering case over long-standing accusations that some of their earlier political donations constituted bribes — in particular, a batch of checks they gave to convicted former New Orleans Mayor Ray Nagin, who currently sits in prison on corruption charges.

River Birch and its affiliates must still face the lawsuit filed by the state Ethics Board in Jefferson Parish in 2012. That case largely mirrors the federal investigation, accusing the firm and its principals of violating state campaign laws by bundling donations through bogus companies. That matter has been on hold because of the other litigation.

But wait… there’s even more:

SCANDAL #3

A few weeks ago, The Advocate reported that three years after floods swept across portions of southern Louisiana, only thirty-six percent of homeowners who applied for help through the Restore Louisiana program have been approved for grants, and only about one-third have received checks for repairs, according to a recent report from the relief program.

More than 65,800 residences across East Baton Rouge, Ascension and Livingston parishes were impacted by flooding in August 2016, according to federal data. Of those who applied for grants, only 15,634 homeowners were offered grants through Restore Louisiana and 12,980 homeowners have been sent checks as of July 26.

More than $1.2 billion in federal funds were allocated for rebuilding efforts following floods in March and August 2016, but only $575 million was offered to homeowners across the state. Of that total, $412 million was disbursed as of July 26.

As part of the contract, Innovative Emergency Management (IEM) will receive $308 million as payment for managing the program, and that money comes directly from Restore Louisiana funds. That’s right, IEM will be paid $300 million while flooded homeowners in Louisiana will get $575 million!

Of course, IEM, a North Carolina-based disaster management company, was awarded the contract to oversee the state's $1.6 billion flood recovery plan twice, after previously winning and then being stripped of the contract in a botched bid process.

How did IEM manage to win this contract twice?

IEM and its CEO, Madhu Beriwal, have contributed over $50,000 to John Bel Edwards and Gumbo PAC since 2015, with most of the donations coming in the months AFTER they were awarded this contract by John Bel Edwards and his administration.

The state has already beenforced to withhold $1.3 million in payments to IEM for failing to meet its responsibilities and making errors in hundreds of flood victim cases.

But wait… there’s still MORE:

SCANDAL #4

Earlier this month, the Edwards administration announced a complex agreement that could lead to the widespread privatization of energy systems at state agencies and universities throughout the state.

Rather than requiring an open and honest process for future privatization, the Edwards’ administration has attempted to build an “option” into this latest agreement which will allow LA Energy Partners to obtain additional state contracts without a new competitive bidding process.

According to The Advocate report, Bernhard Energy Solutions partnered with the HVAC company Johnson Controls at the request of the Edwards’ administration after both firms submitted proposals to the state.

Bernhard Energy Solutions is one of several companies controlled by Bernhard Capital Partners, a private equity firm run by former Shaw Group chief executive and Democratic Party chairman Jim Bernhard, who was floated as a potential Democratic candidate for governor before ruling it out last year.

Johnson Controls, a multinational electrical and HVAC group that moved its corporate headquarters to tax-haven Ireland in recent years, was at the center of a bribery and kickback scandalduring the Morial years in New Orleans which saw more than a million dollars skimmed off the top by subcontractors and more than a dozen people convicted of related crimes. More recently, in 2016, the company found itself caught up in a ponzi scheme, which lead to the resignation of its CEO. In the same year, Johnson Controls found itselfpaying $14.4 million to end an SEC probe into a corruption and bribery scandal involving Chinese businesses.

As the campaign season goes into high gear and more people begin paying attention to the shady dealings of John Bel Edwards, we can be sure that MORE scandals will come bubbling to the surface.

The people of Louisiana are tired of political deals crafted by the likes of Huey Long, Edwin Edwards, and John Bel Edwards. This fall we have the opportunity to stand-up to the corrupt good-ole boy network of “pay to play” government contracts.

This fall we must FIRE John Bel Edwards!

Republican Whip Steve Scalise: I’m with Jim!

Republican Leader Endorses Commissioner Jim Donelon

Today, Republican Whip Steve Scalise endorsed Louisiana Insurance Commissioner James J. “Jim” Donelon for reelection. Scalise cited their long-time working relationship, Donelon’s commitment to Republican values and support for the President Trump’s agenda in Louisiana:

“I’ve known Jim as a friend for more than 20 years. He’s always worked hard for Louisiana families, and has been focusing on bringing car insurance rates down. In fact his efforts are paying dividends for hard-working families – this year we’ve seen more than a 7 percent decrease in auto insurance rates in Louisiana, and there’s more Jim wants to do. Jim is an advocate for reform and steered the Department through the wake of the devastating impacts of Hurricanes Katrina and Rita, as well as the BP Oil Spill and the Great Flood of 2016,” said Whip Scalise.

Commissioner Donelon has championed a long-term renewal of the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP) and worked tirelessly with members of Louisiana’s Congressional delegation to bring more insurers to our state. Jim stood with other statewide elected officials to ensure the people of Louisiana will have access to affordable health insurance in the wake of Obamacare. Jim Donelon resides in Metairie, LA, with his wife of 52 years and has four daughters and eight grandchildren. He also served our country for thirty-three years in the Louisiana National Guard, retiring honorably with the rank of Colonel. Louisiana needs to keep Jim Donelon working for us.”

Commissioner Jim Donelon said, “Receiving an endorsement from my friend, Republican Whip Steve Scalise, is an honor. Steve is a leader in our party and a leader in our country. Not only do I admire Steve’s political experience, but his personal story as well. Having him recognize the work I’ve done with the Department of Insurance confirms that that work has been prudently. I look forward to continuing to work alongside Congressman Scalise, and the entire federal delegation for the people of Louisiana.”

Let Me Guess, It’s Bobby Jindal’s Fault

Photo source: Twitter

“Louisiana has lost the most jobs of any state since Governor Edwards took office, and this new data shows his policies continue to drive away work and workers,” said RGA Communications Director Amelia Chassé Alcivar. “At a time when Louisiana should be taking advantage of a strong national economy to grow jobs and expand opportunity, John Bel Edwards liberal tax-and-spend agenda is moving the state in the wrong direction, and working families are the ones paying the price.”

Read more: Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards’ Louisiana Was The Only State In The Country To Lose Jobs In The Past Year

Republican Party of Louisiana Calls for Federal Legislation with Baseball-Style Arbitrationto Stop Surprise Medical Billing

Unanimous Resolution Applauds Sen. Bill Cassidy’s Leadership to Introduce STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act

Baton Rouge, LA – Today, the Republican Party of Louisiana unanimously approved a resolution calling for the federal adoption of Independent Dispute Resolution (IDR), often referred to as baseball-styled arbitration, a free-market solution to stop the practice of surprise medical billing.

It also applauds U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy (R-LA) for his leadership in authoring the STOP Surprise Medical Bills Act and “encourages the entire Louisiana congressional delegation to continue fighting for a legislative solution that encourages free-market-solutions such as the IDR framework and not government rate setting via benchmarking.”

Surprise medical billing occurs when patients receive unexpected and excessive medical bills for health care services that they believed would be covered by their insurance companies.

“Surprise medical billing is driving up the cost of health care for everyone, and a free-market resolution like IDR is the only proven way to solve the problem without unintentionally making it even worse for patients. Some proposals out there – like government price-setting – would do exactly that by limiting patients’ ability to get care close to home from the doctors they trust,” said Louis Gurvich, Chairman of the Republican Party of Louisiana.

Authored by SCC member Lloyd Harsch, the resolution was unanimously approved by the party’s executive committee during today’s Republican State Central Committee meeting.

“The party chose to highlight this issue because it is a critical part of increasing transparency for patients and lowering the costs of healthcare for millions of Americans,” Gurvich added.

The full text of the resolution is available HERE.

Seeking a 2nd Term, Tomorrow Attorney General Jeff Landry To Officially File for Re-Election

Photo source: Wikipedia

Landry will seek to continue his work protecting Louisiana 

BROUSSARD – Tuesday morning at Louisiana’s Secretary of State’s office, Attorney General Jeff Landry will officially file for re-election.

Landry has launched a new campaign website at www.LandryForLouisiana.com and on the site outlines many accomplishments since first being elected to the office in 2015.

“I, and my team at the Louisiana Department of Justice, have worked tirelessly to protect the citizens of Louisiana. We are working to protect families from crime, working to protect our jobs and economy, and working to protect the common sense values Louisiana citizens share,” said Landry. “Tomorrow I look forward to taking the step necessary to continue that work for another four years,” he added.

In addition to the website the Landry campaign has been distributing lawn signs across the state and has provided material as volunteers reach out to voters going door-to-door.

WHAT:     Attorney General Jeff Landry Files for Re-Election  

Landry will address the media just after the filing. He will be joined by his wife Sharon and his son JT.  

WHERE:     Office of the Louisiana Secretary of State

8585 Archives Ave., Baton Rouge, LA 70809

WHEN:   9:00 AM, tomorrow, Tuesday, August 6

Recognized for his leadership by his fellow Attorney Generals from around the country, Jeff Landry currently serves as the national President of the bipartisan Attorney Generals Association.

Prior to serving as Attorney General, Jeff Landry was a successful practicing attorney, an entrepreneur and small businessman, a former Sheriff’s Deputy, a Sergeant in the Louisiana National Guard, and a Member of the United States Congress representing Louisiana.  

LOGPAC Announces First Round of Endorsements for the 2019 Election Cycle

BATON ROUGE, LA (July 18, 2019) - Today, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee (LOGPAC), the political action committee of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA), announced its first round of endorsements for incumbent legislators for the 2019 election cycle.  

“We are proud to back candidates that celebrate our state’s oil and gas industry and all that it brings to Louisiana,” said Gifford Briggs, Executive Director of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee. “These legislators have proven their unwavering support of the small and independent oil and gas producers of Louisiana. We are proud to show our sign of support by endorsing these defenders of the state’s most important economic driver.” 

For more information about the upcoming elections and a list of all the LOGPAC endorsed candidates please visit GeauxElections.com. 

LOGPAC is pleased to endorse the following: 

NORTHWEST REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Barrow Peacock from Bossier City representing Senate District 37

• Rep. Alan Seabaugh from Shreveport representing House District 5 

• Rep. Larry Bagley from Stonewall representing House District 7 

• Rep. Raymond Crews from Bossier City representing House District 8 

• Rep. Dodie Horton from Haughton representing House District 9 

• Rep. Wayne McMahen from Minden representing House District 10 

• Rep. Patrick Jefferson from Homer representing House District 11

NORTHEAST REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Jim Fannin from Jonesboro representing Senate District 35

• Rep. Chris Turner from Ruston representing House District 12

• Rep. Jack McFarland from Jonesboro representing House District 13

CENTRAL REGION LEGISLATORS:

• Rep. Lance Harris from Alexandria representing House District 25

• Rep. Mike Johnson from Pineville representing House District 27

SOUTHWEST REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Bob Hensgens from Abbeville representing Senate District 26

• Sen. Ronnie Johns from Lake Charles representing Senate District 27 

• Rep. Stephen Dwight from Lake Charles representing House District 35

• Rep. Ryan Bourriaque from Abbeville representing House District 47

ACADIANA REGION LEGISLATORS:

• Sen. Page Cortez from Lafayette representing Senate District 23 

• Sen. Gerald Boudreaux from Lafayette representing Senate District 24

• Rep. Julie Emerson from Carencro representing House District 39

• Rep. Phillip DeVillier from Eunice representing House District 41

• Rep. John Stefanski from Crowley representing House District 42

• Rep. Stuart Bishop from Lafayette representing House District 43

• Rep. Vincent Pierre from Lafayette representing House District 44

• Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan from Lafayette representing House District 45

• Rep. Blake Miguez from Erath representing House District 49 

HOUMA AREA LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Bret Allain from Franklin representing Senate District 21

• Rep. Beryl Adams Amedee from Houma representing House District 51

• Rep. Jerome ‘Zee’ Zeringue from Houma representing House District 52

• Rep. Tanner Magee from Houma representing House District 53

CAPITOL REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Ed Price  from Gonzales representing Senate District 2

• Sen. Mack ‘Bodi’ White from Baton Rouge representing Senate District 6

• Rep. Edmond Jordan from Baton Rouge representing House District 29

• Rep. Tony Bacala from Prairieville representing House District 59

• Rep. Valarie Hodges from Denham Springs representing House District 64

• Rep. Barry Ivey from Baton Rouge representing House District 65 

• Rep. Rick Edmonds from Baton Rouge representing House District 66

• Rep. Paula Davis from Baton Rouge representing House District 69

• Rep. Clay Schexnayder from Gonzales representing House District 81

NORTH SHORE REGION LEGISLATORS: 

• Sen. Beth Mizell from Franklinton representing Senate District 12

• Rep. Mark Wright from Covington representing House District 77

• Rep. Mary DuBuisson from Slidell representing House District 90 

• Rep. Sherman Mack from Albany representing House District 95

• Rep. Paul Hollis from Covington representing House District 104

NEW ORLEANS REGION LEGISLATORS:

• Sen. Sharon Hewitt from Slidell representing Senate District 1

• Rep. Gregory Miller from Norco representing House District 56 

• Rep. Polly Thomas from Metairie representing House District 80  

• Rep. Jimmy Harris from New Orleans representing House District 99

• Rep. Gary Carter from New Orleans representing House District 102

• Rep. Ray Garofalo from Chalmette representing House District 103

• Rep. Chris Leopold from Belle Chasse representing House District 105 

About the Louisiana Oil And Gas Political Action Committee: 

The Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee (LOGPAC) is the political arm of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. LOGPAC exists due to businesses facing constant threats posed by litigation, over regulation, and excessive taxation. To protect against such threats, the oil and gas industry needs a large, efficient and unified representation to make their voices heard. LOGPAC looks to support candidates and legislators that celebrate Louisiana’s oil and gas industry.

LOGA Releases 2019 Elections Tracking Platform “www.GeauxElections.com”

BATON ROUGE, LA (July 16, 2019) — Today, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association (LOGA) released its new elections website, GeauxElections.com. LOGA created www.geauxelections.com to inform Louisianians about the candidates seeking election this fall.

“This fall this state will witness a sea change in the legislature due to term limits. Louisiana and its hard working families can’t afford to be uninformed about this election cycle,” said Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “Our new website will allow anyone to access the site and see who is running in their parish, along with which pro-business industry group has given their endorsement. This election day, October 12th, is a crucial day in Louisiana and will determine the trajectory of our state.”

LOGA is pleased to provide this free platform, GeauxElections.com, to the public, which provides helpful contact information for the candidates seeking office on October 12th. The platform currently tracks all House and Senate races by parish and legislative district and publishes campaign websites, email addresses, phone numbers, Facebook pages, Twitter handles, and Instagram accounts. GeauxElections.com also tracks state-wide races, such as the Governor and the Attorney General’s Office. Voters are encouraged to bookmark GeauElections.com on their phone or computer for ease of use during the elections.

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: http://www.loga.la

NUNGESSER: Never A Good Thing to See Cantore

Lt. Governor Billy Nungesser took to Twitter to share a photo of himself with Jim Cantore of The Weather Channel today.

It's never a good thing when you see @JimCantore @weatherchannel but glad to call him a friend. pic.twitter.com/hOS9o9AlI4

— Office of Lt. Gov. Billy Nungesser (@LouisianaLtGov) July 12, 2019

LCCM Announces Endorsements for Fall Elections

Continues Plan for Conservative Senate and Solidifying Conservative House

BATON ROUGE, LA - The Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority announces new endorsements for legislatives races to be decided in the 2019 fall elections. Those endorsements are:

Heather Cloud, Senate District 28

Robert Mills, Senate District 36

Stewart Cathey Jr., Senate District 33

Senator Beth Mizell, Senate District 12

Mike Reese, Senate District 30

Reggie Bagala, House District 54

Daryl Deshotel, House District 28

Rick Edmonds, House District 66

Michael Echols, House District 14

The Louisiana Coalition for a Conservative Majority (LCCM) previously LCRM, the Louisiana Committee for a Republican Majority, has had a powerful impact on the Louisiana Legislature, helping turn what was once Democrat-held chambers into strong Republican majorities in both the House and the Senate. LCCM raised $3.7 million over the previous two cycles and has raised over $1.25 million this cycle. 

Last year LCCM made early endorsements in the following State Senate races:

State Representative Cameron Henry, Senate District 9

State Representative Kirk Talbot, Senate District 10

State Representative Reid Falconer, Senate District 11

Businessman Michael Fesi, Senate District 20 

Now is the time that LCCM plans to hold conservatives accountable. With its most recent round of endorsements, LCCM will build on previous wins of LCCM supported candidates this cycle, now Representatives John Stefanski, Raymond Crews, Mike Johnson, and Chris Turner. Additionally, LCCM submarined a surging Democrat turned Independent in St. Tammany, assisting in electing now Representative Mark Wright.