Cajun Conservatism
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.
Despite what the likes of John Bel Edwards and his lawyer cronies think of the oil and gas industry in our state, the industry does lots to support both our economy and the environment. For instance, they’ve partnered with a local group in installing reefs in places where platforms were once used in oil and gas production.
Shoutout to the unsung heroes of our state, the men and women who keep us powered. I’m proud to work in this industry that supports my family and thousands of other families throughout Louisiana.
Baton Rouge, LA - Last week, The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana proudly announced its endorsements for the upcoming election on October 12.
“Under the failed leadership of John Bel Edwards, Louisiana is the only state in the country losing jobs,” said LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch. “This group of conservative difference-makers will make Louisiana work again.”
Make sure your friends and family are REGISTERED TO GEAUX VOTE!
September 11 – Deadline to register in person or by mail. September 21 – Deadline to register on GeauxVote Online System.
(Online registrants must show a Louisiana driver's license or ID card to vote.)
Election Day is October 12.
(The LSU/Florida football game is on October 12…so VOTE EARLY!)
Early voting is Sept. 28 – Oct. 5 from 8:30 a.m.- 6 p.m. (except Sunday, Sept. 29) Louisiana Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin announced that sample ballots and polling locations have been finalized and are available for you to view online HERE.
Photo source: PJ Media
Recently we've been hearing politicians such as Sen. Ron Wyden (D-Ore.) chomping at the bit to put price controls on pharmaceutical drugs, with almost no sense of economics or history about how prices change over time.
In 1926, a nice radio cost $7,175 (in 2019 dollars), and it took up more space than the giant flat screen you probably have in the family room. Speaking of TVs, in 2007, a 50-inch HDTV cost $7,046 (models of the same size and with much better quality go for about $250 today). In the "golden age" of airplane travel, tickets cost at least double today's prices. In 1975, buying and selling stock cost $100 per transaction (it's now less than $5). And calling your aunt in Los Angeles from New York for ten minutes cost $27.75. The same call now is practically free -- 2.3 cents per minute -- or actually free, with a service like Skype. One measly megabyte of computer memory cost $411 million in 1957 -- now the same amount costs less than a single penny.
Read more: It Costs What!? Why Prices Rise and Fall - and Why We Don’t Need Pharma Price Controls
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.”
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.
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.
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.
Baton Rouge, LA – The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana is proud to announce its statewide endorsements for the upcoming election on October 12:
Governor
Ralph Abraham and Eddie Rispone
Lt. Governor
Billy Nungesser
Attorney General
Jeff Landry
Secretary of State
Kyle Ardoin
Treasurer
John Schroder
Agriculture Commissioner
Mike Strain
Insurance Commissioner
Jim Donelon
“We can trust this group of candidates to chart a conservative course for Louisiana,” said LAGOP Chairman Louis Gurvich. “A strong Republican leadership team working together will allow Louisiana to grow again and ensure that our children and grandchildren will be able to find high quality jobs right here at home.”
“With these candidates leading the charge, the LAGOP will be focused on engaging with and turning out conservative voters,” added LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch. “We are leveraging new technology and making data-driven decisions that will benefit conservative campaigns down the ballot and across the state.”
Baton Rouge, LA – With college football kicking off in Louisiana this weekend, the Republican Party of Louisiana released a new digital ad. The video, titled "JBE vs. College Football", features clips of Governor John Bel Edwards demanding higher taxes and threatening to cancel college football if he didn't get his way.
The digital ad will be featured across multiple online and social media platforms.
“Last year, John Bel Edwards was threatening to kick seniors out of nursing homes and cancel college football if he didn't get to raise taxes." added LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “Now he is hoping we forgot about his temper tantrum. The people of Louisiana remember his childish threats. This fall, we fire John Bel Edwards.”
Transcript:
Governor John Bel Edwards: "Tonight I speak to you as no other Louisiana governor has ever spoken to our state. Without legislators approving new revenue this special session, some campuses will be forced to declare financial bankruptcy."
"That means you can say farewell to college football next fall."
"That means you can say farewell to college football next fall."
"That means you can say farewell..."
Baton Rouge, LA – Yesterday, a jury in New Orleans took less than two hours before returning guilty verdicts on all seven counts against longtime Edwards family friend and disgraced former DEA Agent Chad Scott. The convictions included perjury, obstruction of justice, and falsification of government records, all stemming from his actions leading a drug task force covering the Edwards family-controlled Tangipahoa Parish.
Records obtained by The Advocate show the DEA and FBI received complaints beginning more than a decade ago that Scott routinely misused confidential sources and disregarded DEA policies. Unfortunately, he was not stripped of his badge until early last year, when the U.S. Justice Department launched a sprawling inquiry into the New Orleans-based task force, which has been accused of shaking down suspects, dealing drugs and pocketing cash during drug raids.
While the Edwards family has played down their connections to the DEA task force, text messages and emails obtained by The Advocate show that Sheriff Daniel Edwards has had a close relationship with Scott, an agent of 17 years who remains at the center of the misconduct investigation.
Their friendship began even before Edwards was elected sheriff in 2003, when Edwards was an assistant district attorney who prosecuted many drug cases which Scott investigated. But the pair had drawn even closer in recent years, swapping emails and text messages and sharing meals.
Among other allegations, the whistleblower reported to the DEA in late 2003 that Scott had maintained a "stash room" at a hotel in Hammond that he used to store illegal drugs and cash, and that Scott had sold ecstasy in college, the law enforcement officials said.
The agent also expressed concern in 2004 that DEA management regularly allowed Scott to circumvent policy because of the volume of drug cases he generated, and that the DEA had been turning a blind eye to corrupt law enforcement in Tangipahoa Parish, according to internal documents reviewed by the newspaper.
That same year, one of Scott's longtime informants told the DEA he had been provided 100 pounds of marijuana and two kilograms of cocaine by another former DEA task force member and a Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office deputy, according to DEA records.
"It was well known that Scott led what many considered to be local investigations, all with the blessing and approval of the sheriff," said a law enforcement official who has known both men for more than a decade. "Nobody's going to dispute that."
Edwards and Scott became even closer following Edwards' election as sheriff, exchanging frequent emails and text messages and sharing meals. On several occasions, Edwards sent drafts of press releases to Scott and asked him to review them and offer feedback.
Many members of the task force, including Scott, Johnny Domingue and Karl E. Newman, began their careers with the Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff's Office, and Scott had a close working relationship with Tangipahoa Parish Sheriff Daniel Edwards.
According to NOLA.com, the investigation also has placed Governor John Bel Edwards in an unenviable position, though by no means an unprecedented one for a high Louisiana officeholder. 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 Betbeze, public information officer for the FBI New Orleans’ office.
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.
Three years ago, John Bel Edwards told reporters, "Without any fear of contradiction or ever being proven wrong, I will tell you now, he did not engage in anything improper, much less illegal. I have all the confidence in the world in that, and I think that time will bear that out."
With these convictions, the pressure on Chad Scott to flip on the Edwards family is higher than it has ever been, and the Edwards brothers should be feeling a little less confident today.
Of course, this isn’t unusual for the Edwards family. Their father, Frank Edwards Jr., was the subject of a federal investigation while running for reelection. A Special Agent was assigned to an investigation of alleged violations of a combination of federal gun, liquor and gambling laws in Tangipahoa Parish pursuant to orders from the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of Louisiana.
Federal investigations are just one of the Edwards “Family Traditions” conveniently left out of the TV commercial.
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.
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 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.”
Republicans are worried about their re-election prospects in 2020, and one result is a frenzy to “do something” on high drug prices. Yet two of the latest ideas are standbys of the left: foreign importation and pricing penalties, which are more about politics than results for patients.
Read more: The Right’s Left Turn on Drug Prices
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.
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.
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.”
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.
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.
