LANDRY: Discharge Student Loans for Disabled Vets

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

GONSOULIN: DOT Needs To Be Addressed

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

LAGOP: Is New Orleans a Sanctuary City? #CityOfYes

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

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

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

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

KALB – Illegal alien arrested for distributing child porn

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Louisiana: Standing Strong for Life

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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


Read the full story at: Reveal News

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“Honor Code” Leads Louisiana to Last Place Yet Again

Photo source: Wikipedia 

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

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

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

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

Hopefully Another Vitter Will Be Serving in DC Soon

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

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

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

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

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

LOGA: Mid-Session and Presidential Visit Debrief

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

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

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

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

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

LAGOP: LOUISIANA- FIRST IN LAST, AGAIN

So once more Louisiana is dead last in a ranking of all fifty states! This particular ranking, by U. S. News & World Report magazine, is, unfortunately, one of the older, more respected and widely noted of such rankings.

This ranking evaluated education, healthcare, infrastructure, opportunity, crime and quality of life metrics- precisely the sort of things that we elected John Bel Edwards to fix in 2015. However, the Governor faults the evaluating criteria, accusing the magazine of using old data sources, presumably pre-2019 data. But then 2019 is not yet over, so one hesitates to cast aspersions on U. S. News & World Report for this omission.
The sad fact is that this magazine has reached the same conclusion that Louisiana is the worst state to live in for three straight years. There can be little doubt where we will be in the rankings next year, and let us not forget the many other state rankings by numerous other institutions which confirm our terrible condition.

Harken back to the heady days of the 2015 campaign and the many promises made by John Bel Edwards: That he would reform our bloated and inefficient state government, that he would not raise our taxes, that he would repair our infrastructure, etc., etc. Yet what do we have to show for all the bitterness in tone, the innumerable legislative sessions, the threats to throw nursing home patients out in the street and end the LSU football program, and so forth?

We have higher taxes, decaying infrastructure, a terrible public education system, an out-of-control Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals (which will break us financially in the next several years), and one of the slowest growing state economies in the country. And all the while tens of thousands of our fellow citizens leave Louisiana every year for greener pastures...

The missed opportunities of this administration boggle the mind, but John Bel Edwards faults the data. We fault this Governor!

On to Victory in 2019!

Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana

LOGA Responds to President Trump Celebration of Louisiana’s Energy Producers

BATON ROUGE, LA (April 14, 2019) — The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association applauds President Donald Trump’s actions to unleash an American energy revolution on American soil.  

“It’s refreshing to hear an administration celebrate the oil and gas industry and see their continued push for American energy dominance,” said Gifford Briggs, President of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association. “The oil and gas industry has been an economic powerhouse for our country, our state, and our local communities. It is long past time Louisiana moves on from the job and investment stifling litigations and taxation policy, and unleash the true potential of Louisiana’s oil and gas industry. We thank President Trump for his visit and look forward to working alongside his administration to unleash the true potential of the American energy producer.”  

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

President Trump Arrives in Lake Charles

The President recently touched down in Lake Charles to start his tour of a Cameron LNG plant. Several members from Louisiana’s delegation in DC arrived on Air Force One with the President and several from the state delegation were there to greet him.

President Trump arrives in Lake Charles, LA. pic.twitter.com/4zMAYvCVsf

— The Hill (@thehill) May 14, 2019

HIGGINS: Welcome to Southwest Louisiana, President Trump

Photo source: The Advocate

 Congressman Clay Higgins, Special to the American Press

    Louisiana will soon welcome President Donald Trump for a visit to Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG Export Facility. With over $100 billion in announced energy projects and $65 billion in projects already underway, Southwest Louisiana has a story worth sharing.

    Our region is home to historic economic growth and job creation as part of the LNG boom, and I am honored that President Trump recognizes Louisiana’s significance regarding American energy dominance. South Louisiana is blessed with a strategic location on the Gulf Coast that is home to vast natural resources, major ports, industrial airfields, rail and pipeline hubs, and generational skills. With critical investments in new and existing infrastructure, Southwest Louisiana can become the epicenter of national economic prosperity.

    What we are seeing is reflective of President Trump’s efforts to unleash America’s energy potential and establish an era of American energy dominance. In Calcasieu and Cameron parishes, projects like Sasol, Cheniere, Sabine Pass LNG, Driftwood LNG, Magnolia LNG, Cameron LNG, and many others are creating tens of thousands of jobs and generating billions in economic development. Southwest Louisiana is quickly becoming a global leader in energy exports.

    Historic tax cuts, regulatory reform, and an America-first business climate are driving energy projects forward. Continued economic growth in Louisiana relies on modern infrastructure and a strong workforce. I will continue to reinforce that message directly with President Trump and his Cabinet.

    We must invest in our ports, waterways, roads, and bridges. We should also invest in workforce development to ensure that local workers can meet growing job and industry demands.

    When President Trump visited Lake Charles after Hurricane Harvey, I asked him to invest in dredging and water management for South Louisiana. I looked in his eyes and stated that we’ve seen this much water fall, but we haven’t seen this much water rise. His administration followed through. The Calcasieu Channel and Port of Lake Charles have received over $194 million for dredging since 2017. That investment enables greater trade, attracts new business, and will generate more than a billion dollars in revenue over the next five years.

    On Tuesday, I will speak to President Trump about the need to continue investing in our region. This includes federal resources for our ports, waterways, airfields, and a new I-10 bridge. With strategic investments, we can unlock Southwest Louisiana’s full economic potential, which will be a major benefit to the entire nation.

    I am grateful for our Commander in Chief and for his upcoming visit. He leads from the front, and he follows through on his promises. That spirit is certainly welcome here in South Louisiana.

--Congressman Clay Higgins represents Louisiana’s 3rd District in the U.S. House of Representatives.

Source: Congressman Clay Higgins 

LAGOP: President Trump Returns to Louisiana, Supports Oil and Gas Industry

Photo source: LAGOP

(Baton Rouge, LA) – President Donald Trump will get a first-hand look at the soon-to-be-opened Cameron LNG export terminal in Hackberry, Louisiana. The visit will be the President’s third trip to Louisiana since he took office in 2017, and comes just weeks after Vice President Mike Pence was in Louisiana to visit the site of one of the St. Landry Parish churches destroyed by arson.

“It is comforting to have President Trump and his administration standing with Louisiana through good times and bad,” said LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich. “The people of Louisiana appreciate a President who fights for them.”

During his first term, President Trump focused on unleashing American energy by cutting red-tape and eliminating burdensome regulations. The results were almost instantaneous. Last year, energy production spiked 8%from 2017, with more than half the growth being fueled by natural gas and oil.

Last month President Trump issued an Executive Order to promote energy infrastructure and economic growth. The President has set a clear example that support from the executive branch of government can be a tremendous catalyst for growth in the oil and gas industry.

Unfortunately, in Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards instead concentrated on maximizing legal fees for his campaign donors through new lawsuits against Louisiana oil and gas producers. “If the parishes don’t sue, the state will,” threatened Governor Edwards.According to the LSU Center for Energy Studies, legacy lawsuits have cost Louisiana thousands of wells and billions of dollars.

Now up for re-election, Governor Edwards has stopped talking about the lawsuits and shifted to vague talking-points and photo ops, hoping to hide his dismal economic record while taking credit for economic growth caused by President Trump.

“Governor Edwards should follow the President’s example and start supporting Louisiana’s oil and gas industry instead of extorting them with lawsuits,” commented LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch.

Don't Import Prescription Drugs

Importation, or reimportation as it is sometimes called, is a dangerous gamble. Neither the safety nor efficacy of imported medications can be ensured, placing every patient who takes these medications at great risk. There is no way to verify these medications originated in Canada and Canadian authorities have made it clear they will not be responsible for the quality and safety of prescription drugs being shipped from or through their country.

Often, these drugs come from what appears to be a legitimate source, but testing has shown that many are counterfeit, manufactured in unsafe conditions and contain little, if any, active pharmaceutical ingredients. In fact, a 2017 report from the World Health Organization showed about 1 in 10 medications from developing countries were fake or substandard.

Read more:  Don't import prescription drugs

Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: AG Landry Continues to Win on Obamacare

This week the Louisiana Senate passed AG Landry's Obamacare fix with almost unbelievable support: 38-0. This overwhelming, bipartisan display of approval proves that the plans set forth by AG Landry are sound steps in the path to addressing the UNAFFORDABLE Affordable Care Act.

AG Landry has worked diligently with Louisiana Department of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, Senator Fred Mills, and House Speaker Taylor Barras to craft this important legislation that would protect some of the most vulnerable patients in the state: those with pre-existing conditions. The ideas proposed by AG Landry are revolutionary and are real solutions to real health care problems. Should this bill, the Louisiana Families Protection Act, become law it stands to be an example for the entire country on how to fix Obamacare.

Thank you AG Landry for tackling this crucial issue and leading the charge for real solutions! Read more about AG Landry's bill HERE!