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.
Posts filed under Louisiana
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.”
LOUISIANA ATTORNEY GENERAL JEFF LANDRY WILL RECEIVE LFF 2019 GLADIATOR AWARD!
Baton Rouge, La. — Each year, Louisiana Family Forum (LFF) presents its Gladiator Award to an individual who goes the extra mile to advance freedom and honors the principles our nation was founded upon. The 2019 Gladiator Award recipient is Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry for his dedication to preserving the rule of law and the foundational principles of life, liberty, and limited government.
Under Landry’s leadership, the Louisiana Department of Justice (LDOJ) has vigorously defended legislatively enacted regulations on abortion providers. Currently, his office is preparing to argue June Medical Services, LLC v. Gee before the United States Supreme Court if certiorari is granted in the case. The law being challenged, Act 620 of 2014 by Representative Katrina Jackson, requires Louisiana abortionists to provide women with a basic standard of care by requiring physicians to have hospital admitting privileges at a nearby hospital in the event of emergency circumstances.
Attorney General Landry upheld the 2nd Amendment when he successfully led the efforts to block banks from doing bond business with the State after they refused to do business with law-abiding firearms companies.
Landry has upheld religious expression in schools when he co-authored the Louisiana Student Rights Review with Congressman Mike Johnson, the first set of such guidelines published by a DOJ for students, teachers, and administrators on religious expression in government schools.
Protecting children from predators, the LDOJ Cyber Crime Unit has made over 400 arrests.
Landry has repeatedly challenged executive powers when he asserted that Louisiana’s Governor was overstepping constitutional authority by interfering with the legislative process in crafting law. Landry’s assertion of executive overreach via Executive Order JBE 2016-11 (which effectively granted LGBQT+ ‘men’ the privilege to patronize women’s restrooms) has been upheld in three separate decisions all the way to the Louisiana State Supreme Court.
LFF President Gene Mills says, “Louisiana is fortunate to have a principled counselor as the head of LDOJ. Jeff Landry and his stellar legal team deserve honor and gratitude for a job well done and often completed under difficult fiscal limitations!”
Landry is receiving the award at the 2019 LFF Awards Gala on September 26th at Healing Place Arena in Baton Rouge, La.
LOGPAC Endorses Luci Sposito for Lafourche Parish President
Photo source: LOGA
BATON ROUGE, LA (August 19, 2019) - Today, the Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee (LOGPAC), the political of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, issued their endorsement of Luci Sposito in her bid for Lafouche Parish President.
“The oil and gas industry is vital to the health of our coastal communities,” said Gifford Briggs, Executive Director of the Louisiana Oil and Gas Political Action Committee. “Luci will be a champion for the oil and gas industry and fight to create an environment in which the industry can succeed as it once did. Mrs. Sposito has been a fantastic voice for our industry on the parish council and we look forward to her bringing that passion for oil and gas jobs and families to the role of Parish President.”
For more information about Mrs. Sposito and her race for Lafourche Parish President, visit her website at lucisposito.com.
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. If you would like to learn about LOGPAC’s endorsements for the highly anticipated 2019 elections, be sure and visit GeauxElections.com.
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.”
Beau Beaullieu, House Candidate for District 48, Endorsed by NFIB
The National Federation of Independent Businesses (NFIB) in Louisiana announced their endorsement of Beau Beaullieu (Republican), candidate in the Louisiana House of Representatives, District 48 race. NFIB is the voice of small business, advocating on behalf of America’s small and independent business owners, both in Washington, D.C., and in all 50 state capitals. NFIB is nonprofit, nonpartisan, and member-driven. Beaullieu, a small business owner himself, appears to be the favorite of the business community and has emerged as the most pro-business candidate in the field of four candidates. He is the immediate past Chairman of the Iberia Republican Executive Committee and seeks to replace Taylor Barras (republican/term limited) in the election to be held on October 12th.
The full press release can be found here.
Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards Pitched Hollywood Tax Credits That Led to ‘The Hunt’ Filming in Louisiana
Photo source: Breitbart
Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards pitched Universal Pictures to film movies in Louisiana, to which the motion picture studio filmed the controversial film The Hunt, which reportedly featured liberal elites hunting and killing “deplorables” for sport.
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.
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.
MILLS: A Tale of Two Governors
Photo source: YouTube
The following was penned by Gene Mills, President of the Louisiana Family Forum:
I’ve worked with numerous governors over my 30+ years around Louisiana’s political landscape, including Louisiana’s current Governor. Throughout those years, I have tried to hold public officials accountable while personally modeling the respect due to each civil government official as Scripture requires (Romans 13). It is in that spirit that I respectfully offer these thoughts.
Governor John Bel Edwards and I, though often public policy opposites, remain friendly and co-operative when common ground is found. The most recent example of that is Criminal Justice Reform. My involvement was at his request, and I served out of respect for his office and a shared belief that of the 18,000 inmates released each year in Louisiana, that a 42% recidivism rate within five years was too high. I respect Governor Edwards family and his lovely and talented wife. His pro-life and pro-second amendment platform won the Louisiana electorate in 2016, and many had high expectations for this deep-south Democrat going forward.
Last week, while launching his reelection campaign Governor Edwards took a swing at an old foe of his and a good friend of mine – former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. I understand that it is said that “all is fair in love and war… and politics.” However, it is political season predictable to me when one joins the chorus of others - making a ghost of the past argument – which oversimplifies and misrepresents a good man’s tenure. Among other things, Bobby Jindal understood the importance of regularly inviting socially conservative, Evangelical, Protestant, and Catholic pastors to his table to discuss policies which were impacting their cities, their churches and the shared responsibility we have to minister. We prayed together, communicated concerns, and listened to his responses. When hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit Louisiana, the reaction from this conversation was tangible. By our small network’s account, tens of millions of dollars of goods and services moved, at no taxpayer expense, through this group of communicating and cooperating friends who ministered to the impacted families.
I can offer a few additional things Bobby Jindal did very well:
He earnestly supported traditional family values. Governor Jindal refused to extend executive actions from his predecessors affirming the LGBTQ+ agenda and bringing sexual politics into state government. Governor Edwards signed an executive order expanding LGBTQ+ rights. Only Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and three failed court appeals stopped JBE’s executive advocacy.
Governor Jindal was a staunch defender of religious liberty. He supported and signed our state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (2010). John Bel Edwards, as a legislator in 2009, had deep concerns with a constitutional amendment on religious liberty and he voted against the amendment. Then Rep. Edwards did vote for the 2010 version of the bill.
Governor Jindal served as a firewall protecting our state from the incessant encroachment of gambling interests. It was well known in the industry that he would oppose both de-regulation as well as the expansion of gambling. Under Governor Edwards, gambling bills filed and passed has exploded – including new forms of gaming.
Yes, there are significant differences in the governance and ideology of these two men. However, it’s disingenuous for Governor Edwards to oversimplify the past while ignoring the context that the policies of both President Obama and President Trump have had on our economic and political landscape.
I urge Governor Edwards and his surrogates to focus on the present reality. From LFF’s vantage point, much work remains before Louisiana is known as a place where God is honored, families flourish, liberty is cherished, and state government is laser-focused on its constitutional imperatives. Bobby Jindal has not been the Governor for nearly four years. Surely, there are present indicators which assist the Governor in making his case to the voters of Louisiana. In the meantime, I will continue to remind our state of the remarkable legacy of Bobby Jindal.
Gene Mills
President
Louisiana Family Forum
Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: AG Landry: The Radical Left Has Divorced Itself from Common Sense!
Photo source: Facebook
Last week, AG Jeff Landry issued a scathing Op-Ed chastising a Letter to the Editor in the Baton Rouge Advocate for criticizing East Baton Rouge Parish Sheriff Sid Gautreaux. Sheriff Gautreaux recently came under fire for saying he would check the immigration status of criminals booked into the parish jail. AG Landry applauds this action as "common sense solutions to combating drug smuggling, human trafficking, and other criminal activity." He goes on to note that, "unfortunately, the radical left has divorced itself from common sense and instead advocates for open borders and the abolishment of ICE."
Thank you AG Landry, for supporting local efforts to combat the protection of criminal illegal aliens. Read his full editorial HERE!
LCCM Releases Support for Conservative Members
Recognizes sitting members for their continued support of conservative values
BATON ROUGE, LA – In anticipation of the 2019 election cycle, The Louisiana Committee for a Conservative Majority (LCCM) recognizes current members of the Louisiana legislature that are running for re-election and have been supportive of conservative values throughout their tenure in the legislature. Those members are:
Representative Alan Seabaugh, House District 5
Representative Larry Bagley, House District 7
Representative Raymond Crews, House District 8
Representative Dodie Horton, House District 9
Representative Wayne McMahen, House District 10
Representative Chris Turner, House District 12
Representative Jack McFarland, House District 13
Representative Lance Harris, House District 25
Representative Mike Johnson, House District 27
Representative Stephen Dwight, House District 35
Representative Julie Emerson, House District 39
Representative Phillip DeViller, House District 41
Representative John Stefanski, House District 42
Representative Stuart Bishop, House District 43
Representative Jean-Paul Coussan, House District 45
Representative Mike Huval, House District 46
Representative Ryan Bourriaque, House District 47
Representative Blake Miquez, House District 49
Representative Beryl Amedee, House District 51
Representative Jerome Zeringue, House District 52
Representative Tanner Magee, House District 53
Representative Greg Miller, House District 56
Representative Tony Bacala, House District 59
Representative Valarie Hodges, House District 64
Representative Barry Ivey, House District 65
Representative Paula Davis, House District 69
Representative Mark Wright, House District 77
Representative Polly Thomas, House District 80
Representative Clay Schexnayder, House District 81
Representative Nicholas Muscarello, House District 86
Representative Mary DuBuisson, House District 90
Representative Sherman Mack, House District 95
Representative Ray Garofalo, House District 103
Representative Paul Hollis, House District 104
Representative Chris Leopold, House District 105
Senator Neil Riser, House District 20
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 another $1.25 Million this cycle.
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, 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.
Louisiana Republicans Release New Digital Ad Highlighting Infamous Liberal Lies
Baton Rouge, LA – Today, the Republican Party of Louisiana released a new online ad in the build-up to the 2019 election. The digital ad, titled "Liberal Lies" features clips of classic liberal lies told by politicians desperate to cover up the truth.
“Just like these candidates he supported for President, John Bel Edwards will say ANYTHING to win an election,” added LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “Unfortunately, the people of Louisiana had to learn the hard way that his “honor code” was nothing more than a campaign commercial.”
The digital ad will be featured across multiple online and social media platforms.
LAGOP: Edwards Funnels Over $10,000 to Clinton Law Firm Responsible for Steele Dossier
Baton Rouge, LA – It appears that even with all his trial-lawyer donors, John Bel Edwards could not find a Louisiana law firm capable of handling the complex legal issues facing his campaign for reelection. The most recent expenditure report filed by the Edwards campaign disclosed a $10,137.80 payment to Perkins Coie – the same law firm used by Hillary Clinton’s campaign to coordinate the Steel Dossier smear attack on then-candidate Donald Trump.
The Clinton campaign and the Democratic National Committee (DNC) worked together, funneling money to Perkins Coie – describing their expenditures as “legal consulting”, just like John Bel Edwards did above. We now know this money was used to pay foreign agents to provide unverifiable “dirt” on Donald Trump.
This dirt was then used by the FBI as the main “evidence” to obtain a Foreign Intelligence Surveillance Act (FISA) warrants targeting the Trump campaign in the final days leading up to the election.
Like Hillary, John Bel worked successfully to split the bill from Perkins Coie with another group. While the Clinton campaign used the DNC, Edwards summoned his “John Bel Edwards for Louisiana Leadership PAC” to pick up the rest of the tab from Perkins Coie.
That’s right. John Bel’s campaign AND his “Leadership PAC” both paid their bill from Hillary Clinton’s lawyer on the exact same day. You could almost say the payments were… coordinated.
As Robert Mueller testifies in Washington D.C. tomorrow, several questions will be asked about Perkins Coie and their work-product, the Steele Dossier, will be discussed at length. Years later, the shockwaves of this law firm’s unethical behavior are still being felt across the country.
Why did John Bel Edwards and his “Leadership PAC” coordinate to pull Perkins Coie out of the depths of the D.C. swamp and bring them into Louisiana?
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MILLS: A Tale of Two Governors
I’ve worked with numerous governors over my 30+ years around Louisiana’s political landscape, including Louisiana’s current Governor. Throughout those years, I have tried to hold public officials accountable while personally modeling the respect due to each civil government official as Scripture requires (Romans 13). It is in that spirit that I respectfully offer these thoughts.
Governor John Bel Edwards and I, though often public policy opposites, remain friendly and co-operative when common ground is found. The most recent example of that is Criminal Justice Reform. My involvement was at his request, and I served out of respect for his office and a shared belief that of the 18,000 inmates released each year in Louisiana, that a 42% recidivism rate within five years was too high. I respect Governor Edwards family and his lovely and talented wife. His pro-life and pro-second amendment platform won the Louisiana electorate in 2016, and many had high expectations for this deep-south Democrat going forward.
Last week, while launching his reelection campaign Governor Edwards took a swing at an old foe of his and a good friend of mine – former Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal. I understand that it is said that “all is fair in love and war... and politics.” However, it is political season predictable to me when one joins the chorus of others - making a ghost of the past argument – which oversimplifies and misrepresents a good man’s tenure. Among other things, Bobby Jindal understood the importance of regularly inviting socially conservative, Evangelical, Protestant, and Catholic pastors to his table to discuss policies which were impacting their cities, their churches and the shared responsibility we have to minister. We prayed together, communicated concerns, and listened to his responses. When hurricanes Katrina and Rita hit Louisiana, the reaction from this conversation was tangible. By our small network’s account, tens of millions of dollars of goods and services moved, at no taxpayer expense, through this group of communicating and cooperating friends who ministered to the impacted families.
I can offer a few additional things Bobby Jindal did very well:
He earnestly supported traditional family values. Governor Jindal refused to extend executive actions from his predecessors affirming the LGBTQ+ agenda and bringing sexual politics into state government. Governor Edwards signed an executive order expanding LGBTQ+ rights. Only Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry and three failed court appeals stopped JBE’s executive advocacy.
Governor Jindal was a staunch defender of religious liberty. He supported and signed our state’s Religious Freedom Restoration Act (2010). John Bel Edwards, as a legislator in 2009, had deep concerns with a constitutional amendment on religious liberty and he voted against the amendment. Then Rep. Edwards did vote for the 2010 version of the bill.
Governor Jindal served as a firewall protecting our state from the incessant encroachment of gambling interests. It was well known in the industry that he would oppose both de-regulation as well as the expansion of gambling. Under Governor Edwards, gambling bills filed and passed has exploded – including new forms of gaming.
Yes, there are significant differences in the governance and ideology of these two men. However, it’s disingenuous for Governor Edwards to oversimplify the past while ignoring the context that the policies of both President Obama and President Trump have had on our economic and political landscape.
I urge Governor Edwards and his surrogates to focus on the present reality. From LFF’s vantage point, much work remains before Louisiana is known as a place where God is honored, families flourish, liberty is cherished, and state government is laser-focused on its constitutional imperatives. Bobby Jindal has not been the Governor for nearly four years. Surely, there are present indicators which assist the Governor in making his case to the voters of Louisiana. In the meantime, I will continue to remind our state of the remarkable legacy of Bobby Jindal.
Gene Mills
President
Louisiana Family Forum
Eddie Stands with President Trump
In the video, Rispone says he will work with President Trump to protect our constitutional rights, ban sanctuary cities, and end taxpayer benefits for illegal immigrants in Louisiana.
Rispone added on the announcement, “I am proud to stand with President Trump. I have been unequivocally supportive of the President since day one, and will proudly work with him as governor to defend our constitution and secure our borders. Louisiana needs someone like President Trump—a conservative, outsider, and businessman—to take on the status quo and turn this state around.”
Baton Rouge boy headed to Taiwan to play in baseball World Cup
Photo source: Twitter
Jack Ruckert, son of former Chief of Staff to David Vitter, Kyle Ruckert and his wife, Lynnel, former Chief of Staff to Steve Scalise, has been named to the 18-man roster for the boys’ 12U National Team. Team USA playing next week in Taiwan.
On Friday, Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin tweeted out his congratulations for the boy and his parents.
“Congratulations to Jack Ruckert, my neighbor and son of Kyle and Lynnel Ruckert, on the prestigious honor of being the only Louisianian to make the team! He and his teammates will travel to Taiwan to represent our great country!” Ardoin tweeted.
State Treasurer John Schroder echoed Ardoin’s sentiments.
“Congrats Jack! Way to make Louisiana proud!” he tweeted.
Read more: Baton Rouge boy headed to Taiwan to play in baseball World Cup
St. James Parish officials accused of secret sessions on Wanhua chemical plant before key vote
Photo source: ArkLaTex
In a continuing story we’ve covered here at Cajun Conservatism, St. James residents are up in arms regarding a chemical plant partially owned by the Chinese government.
Two environmental groups and two St. James Parish residents claim the Parish Council and Planning Commission violated state open meetings law when they held secret meetings concerning the $1.25 billion Wanhua chemical plant proposed for the Convent area.
In a new state court lawsuit, the plaintiffs accused parish officials of "purposely circumventing the strictures of the Open Meetings Law" and of hiding "the invitation-only meeting from the public," held six days before the commission approved a key land use application for the plant in late May.
Read more: St. James Parish officials accused of secret sessions on Wanhua chemical plant before key vote
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.
