I HAVE LONG SUPPORTED - AND I HAVE ENDORSED - CONSTITUTIONAL CARRY IN LOUISIANA. I believe it is in line with our fundamental 2nd Amendment Rights. As one of many responsible firearms owners in Louisiana I believe our law abiding citizens should have these same privileges that not only our neighboring states have but that 21 other states in our nation have today. LET ME BE CLEAR: John Bel Edwards veto of this Legislation, which had been supported by a majority of our Legislators, was just one more bad decision among many. I have led multiple legal actions in this country to protect the 2nd Amendment and we need to stand up for it right here in Louisiana.
BEAULLIEU: Protecting Female Athletes
Photo source: Louisiana House of Representatives
The incoming call came early on a Saturday morning in January, from one of my favorite customers. I mention one of my favorites because she is one of those clients that challenges me to be on top of my game each time we converse. Most of the time, we are debating investment and financial market related items, as that is the nature of our relationship. From time-to-time, our conversations diverge into politics. A lot of my time as an investment professional is spent talking people ‘off of the ledge’ and attempting to separate their investment planning from their political views. She and I have had conversations regarding the role that government should or should not play in our lives, the debate over the success of low tax states versus high tax states, election integrity and so on.
On this particular morning, I saw the text message before I listened to the voicemail message. The voicemail came a little after 7:00 a.m.; the text message read something like this, referencing a WSJ article, ‘decades of women’s achievement is being rolled back’. The forthcoming outrage heard on the forty-seven minute discussion resonated the opinion of a successful woman who had made it in a ‘man’s world’ and how national political causes were setting back women’s rights that took decades, if not centuries worth of courage, effort, grief, sorrow, abuse and ultimately victory in a female’s ability to be considered on an equal playing field to men. This call was the first of many calls that I received on this issue!
Now, let’s be clear here, I am not the state’s foremost expert on women’s rights issues; but I do feel like I have a good idea on differences when distinguishing right from wrong. In addition, I am married to an incredible woman, have two amazing daughters and was raised by one heckuva mama who taught me and my brothers (of course it would have been nice to have a sister for this editorial), that you can do anything you set your heart on; just give it 100% and be the best version of yourself possible. It is the same message that my wife and I have used to raise our children (daughters and sons).
To the point, a national/federal political stance has been made to allow male born athletes the ability to compete in sports restricted to female athletes, when the male athlete has undergone medical procedures to change his sex. I vowed to work towards not letting this happen in Louisiana and protecting our female athletes. Keep national politics out of Louisiana athletics. To that end, I kept my promise and voted favorably to not allow a male born person from participating in female athletic activities. The bill received bipartisan support and walked out of the legislature with over a 2/3 vote in favor. Ultimately, the governor vetoed the bill.
I respect the governor’s role in this process and his right to veto legislation. HOWEVER, I also respect my fellow state legislators and the offices in which we hold. We have a check and balance system. The way Louisiana’s constitution spells it out, legislators pass a bill and the governor has the ability to sign the bill, let it go into law or veto the bill. The constitution also says that the legislature can override these vetoes with a two-thirds vote of its members. Since the creation of our constitution, we have had bills that were vetoed by the governor and overridden by the legislature; however each time, the legislature was still ‘in session’. Never before has the legislature followed through on the constitutionally drawn up veto session that is stated to take place 40 days following the conclusion of the session that ended. Traditionally and by a majority of the legislature, a formal request is made that deems a veto session NOT necessary. This year and this issue may be the one that pulls us into a Veto Session for the first time, since the constitutional right of automatically going into a veto session was granted in the 60’s. I plan to support the Veto Session and continue to keep the promise I made back in January.
Once in a veto session, the legislature will have the ability to override any or all of the vetoed bills that were vetoed during the final days of session. There are other vetoed bills that are being hotly considered. There is the constitutional carry bill that allows law-abiding citizens to conceal-carry, the same way that they can open-carry, without the need for a permit. There are election integrity bills that can be considered to be overridden. In all, there are twenty-eight bills that can be considered. Without the veto of the protection of female athletes’ bill, most politicos are not confident that there would have been enough energy to muster the votes to pull us into an override session. Is this bill different? We will know by midnight on July 15th if the majority of each body of the legislature feels this bill is important enough to, for the first time in history, go into a veto override session.
Beau Beaullieu - District 48 - Louisiana House of Representatives
Letter to the Editor: HR3
Dear Editor,
I am very concerned that our representatives in Congress are considering price-setting policies like HR3.
Such legislation not only represents dangerous political overreach; it also hurts patients. Today, America leads the world in innovation. We have unprecedented access to the latest medicines. But under HR3, this availability could drop from 86 percent to 52 percent.
Our biopharmaceutical industry has already shown the entire world – many times over – what they’re capable of. In the past several decades, researchers have made incredible advancements in treating various diseases. Not to mention the development and rollout of COVID-19 vaccinations. And their work is only getting started. Every day, scientists are developing life-saving therapies through new medical breakthroughs.
But price-setting laws could put an end to this innovation – and that’s the last thing we need right now. Instead, legislators need to give scientists the chance to build on the momentum of the past year. Our government needs to be supportive of medical progress, especially after all that has happened in 2020.
Sincerely,
Aaron Miller
Republican Party of Louisiana Strongly Urges Veto Override Session
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
July 6, 2021
(Baton Rouge, LA)- The Executive Committee of the Republican Party of Louisiana has unanimously endorsed the effort by Republican state legislators to hold a veto override session on July 20.
"Our Democrat governor has vetoed common sense legislation that would provide needed protections for our daughters, our gunowners and our elections," Republican Party of Louisiana Chairman Louis Gurvich said. "Our Republican legislators should have no difficulty in deciding to convene this veto-override session.”
Louisiana Conservative Caucus: Override the Veto
On their Facebook page, the Louisiana Conservative Caucus posted the below regarding Gov. John Bel Edwards veto of concealed carry in the State of Louisiana:
The Conservative Caucus Calls for Veto Override of Constitutional Carry Bill
Every Republican campaigns on being pro-2nd Amendment. Now is the time to prove whether that is empty campaign rhetoric or a true belief. It is a true belief for the Conservative Caucus, who fully supports overriding the Governor’s veto of Constitutional Carry (SB118).
BATON ROUGE, June 28 – Protecting one’s self and family is not a racial, class, or party issue. It transcends barriers as evidenced by Republicans and Democrats campaigning as being pro-gun and pro-2nd Amendment. Even Governor John Bel Edwards campaigned positively on the issue. That is why in Louisiana, citizens have the right to open carry their firearms without any permits or training requirements. Senate Bill 118 would have simply allowed citizens to exercise their current rights without concern of a shirt or jacket covering up their firearm. Under current law, covering a firearm is a felony unless you possess a concealed carry permit. Senate Bill 118 would have removed the high financial barrier of a concealed carry permit. That barrier disproportionately impacts our poor and minority communities, who have the greatest need to defend themselves and families outside of their home.
In an unanimous vote, the Conservative Caucus has decided to fully endorse overriding the Governor Edwards’ veto of Senate Bill 118. When discussing the historic possibility of an effective veto session, Chairman Jack McFarland said, “This is where the rubber meets the road. It’s time to find out who uses the 2nd Amendment as hollow campaign rhetoric and who sincerely believes it.”
Prior to the veto of Senate Bill 118, the Conservative Caucus was actively working with Republican Delegation Leader Blake Miguez on ensuring a successful veto override session. Once the session begins in late July, legislators will have the option to override every single veto. Thus far, the Governor has vetoed multiple infrastructure projects in conservative lawmakers’ districts such as rural bridges, utility upgrades that would lower electric bills, and road improvements. He’s also vetoed an election integrity bill as well as legislation to prevent biological males from competing against biological females in women’s sports.
When reflecting on the historic achievements of the legislature this term, McFarland added, “Any governor’s main power over a legislator is a line-item veto. We can take that power away from this Governor and future governors. This is another historical moment for the legislature. We, as a diverse bipartisan legislative body, need to rally together to make an example for our future generations that this is when Louisiana turned a corner. This is when governors quit bullying legislators and started respecting the legislative process. This is when we end every governor’s “politics over people” vetoes.”
LANDRY: Override Edwards' SB156 Decision
Attorney General, Jeff Landry, stepped into the discussion regarding Gov. John Bel Edwards’ decision to veto a bill protecting women and ensuring fairness in sports in the State of Louisiana. Below is a post that was made on his Facebook page urging lawmakers to meet in a special session to override this veto.
LAGOP: Let The Override Session Begin!
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
June 23, 2021
(Baton Rouge, LA)- Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed Senator Beth Mizell's "Fairness in Women’s Sports Act," which would have protected thousands of female athletes in Louisiana from being forced to compete against biological males in athletic events.
This action perfectly illustrates this Democrat governor's lack of common sense regarding the difference between male and female anatomy. It also shows his tone deaf disregard for our daughters, who could be seriously injured or face the loss of academic aid and recognition of their achievements. This is not a difficult idea to understand: Biological men should participate in male sports, and biological women should participate in female sports.
As Governor Edwards voted the bill, he remarked, "We should be looking for more ways to unite rather than divide," yet he willfully ignored the bill's bipartisan support among our state legislators, as well as the bill's support from the great majority of Louisianans.
This is yet another clear example of Governor Edwards putting politics over people.
Call your state senator TODAY at (225) 342-2040 and urge him/her to support a veto override session.
Call your state representative TODAY at (225) 342-6945 and urge him/her to support a veto override session.
Our daughters are counting on your support.
REPOST: ATR Leads Coalition Opposing H.R. 3
Last week, Americans for Tax Reform released a full statement in opposition to HR 3. As we follow center-right organizations and their policy stances, we decided to repost this one for the good of our readers. Check out their reasons below for why they vehemently oppose the Democrat's drug pricing plan - HR 3.
Read more: REPOST: ATR Leads Coalition Opposing H.R. 3
Louisiana Citizens for Job Creators: Jeff Landry SCORES for US Jobs?
AG Jeff Landry has WON round one with the Biden Administration!
A federal judge has sided with the Republican AG in his effort to save the oil and gas industry against the liberal federal overreach of the Biden administration.
In March, AG Landry filed suit outlining the unconstitutionality of the suspension of new oil and gas leases on federal land and water - a move that has driven up gas prices and endangered thousands of critical oil and gas jobs.
While the battle to stop Biden and his SOCIALIST ATTACK on Industry, Louisiana can be very proud of AG Landry and all he is doing to protect the oil and gas industry in Louisiana.
Biden and the Democrats will stop at nothing to tear down everything that conservatives like President Trump and Jeff Landry have done for our nation.
We're just glad that AG Landry is fighting them every step of the way!
Bill Cassidy backs proposal to raise federal gas tax at rate of inflation to fund infrastructure
U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy said Tuesday he's supportive of a bipartisan proposal to raise the federal gas tax at the rate of inflation to help fund more than half-a-trillion dollars in new infrastructure spending, though the idea is facing headwinds from the White House.
Cassidy, a Republican, is part of a bipartisan group of 10 senators calling for $579 billion in additional federal spending on the nation's roads and bridges, a compromise well below the $1.7 trillion in new spending President Joe Biden initially outlined but higher than a GOP proposal offered last week.
Read more: Bill Cassidy backs proposal to raise federal gas tax at rate of inflation to fund infrastructure
LOGA Issues Statement on Preliminary Injunction Against Biden's Leasing Moratorium
BATON ROUGE, LA (June 16, 2021) - Last night, Federal District Judge Terry Doughty of the Western District of Louisiana issued a nationwide preliminary injunction blocking President Biden's Executive Order 14008 that halts all new oil leasing permits on federal land.
LOGA President Mike Moncla described this ruling as a "win for every worker in the country, but especially in Louisiana where we depend so much on the Gulf of Mexico. The policies of this administration have been grueling for Americans at the pump, so hopefully legal decisions like these will help ease that pain on Americans."
Moncla added that "Louisiana’s economy has suffered under this pandemic, and the energy sector has gotten the brunt of it. If President Biden wants to truly enact policies that get this nation back on track, he should join the industry’s efforts in modernizing clean energy practices while maintaining a prosperous economy. Even though the fight against the Biden Administration’s climate agenda is far from over, this is a glimmer of hope for an industry that has suffered under this White House.”
The federal court ruling comes days after Attorney General Jeff Landry made arguments in U.S. District Court opposing the executive order.
There has been nationwide backlash against Biden's decision to pause new drilling permits, including from some House Democrats who represent districts in close proximity to the Gulf.
Federal judge blocks Biden's pause on new oil, gas leases
U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty's ruling came in a lawsuit filed in March by Louisiana Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry and officials in 12 other states. Doughty said his ruling applies nationwide. It grants a preliminary injunction — technically a halt to the suspension pending further arguments on the merits of the case.
Read more: Federal judge blocks Biden's pause on new oil, gas leases
Rep. Clay Higgins Addresses the Biden Border Crisis
John Kennedy: VP Harris’ Negotiating Billions with Guatemalan President is Like ‘Giving Whiskey and Car Keys to a Teenager’
The Louisiana senator discusses Kamala Harris’ visit to Guatemala and Joe Manchin’s opposition to Democratic voting bill
Sen. John Kennedy Announces 2022 Re-Election Campaign
Higgins Calls Out Biden Policy Failures
Congressman Clay Higgins (R-LA) speaks on the House floor about the Biden administration's policy failures.
The Real "Average Joe"
As we’ve covered before on Cajun Conservatism, Biden’s Oil Ban has cost our state a lot more than just an oil rig here and there. It’s killed jobs of real life Louisianans!
Now in a new video by the You First Campaign, this fact is perfectly highlighted. The video follows a man named Joe from Delaware, Louisiana. He may not be the most famous Joe from Delaware, but he MATTERS! It highlights how Joe Biden lied about being on the side of working class people and uses his own words to show how out of touch the Democratic President is. At one point, our narrator (Average Joe) describes having his air conditioner go out, his truck needing new tires, and not being able to do anything about it because “I just got laid off.”
These are the real consequences of Biden’s Oil Ban. He claimed to be on the side of the middle class but in a matter of weeks he killed countless middle class jobs..
Joe Biden's policies have left behind hard-working Americans like Average Joe and You First is demanding that the President answer for them!
Sen. John Kennedy Slams the "Endless Frontiers Act"
Senator John N. Kennedy, R-La., slammed the Endless Frontiers Act as a bloated, somewhat misrepresented piece of legislation its proponents say will help the U.S. be more competitive with China in the manufacturing and technology spaces.
Sponsored by Sen. Charles Schumer, D-N.Y., the bill would establish a directorate at the National Science Foundation (NSF) for "technology and innovation", among other directives – but Kennedy warned "Tucker Carlson Tonight" that it is a $130-billion-and-counting boondoggle.
Of its 13 co-sponsors, about half are Republicans, including Mitt Romney of Utah, Susan Collins of Maine, Lindsey Graham of South Carolina, and Steve Daines of Montana.
New Economic Impact of Tort Reform Report
New report shows toll of civil court costs on Louisiana’s economy
Costs result in significant losses to Louisiana families, businesses, and tax rolls; More than $2 billion in savings projected with additional legal reforms
Baton Rouge, LA — Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) today released the 2021 Impact of Tort Costs and the Potential Economic Benefits of Tort Reform, an assessment measuring the impact of excessive civil court costs on Louisiana’s economy. Citizens Against Lawsuit Abuse (CALA) commissioned John Dunham & Associates (JDA) to conduct analysis on these impacts and the potential economic benefits of tort reform in Louisiana. View the Louisiana report here.
Findings once again showed that Louisiana continues to lose jobs and revenue to the tune of billions annually. The current total impact of these costs results in $3.87 billion in lost economic activity, 22,550 in job losses and losses of $1.12 billion in lost wages for hardworking Louisianans. This translates to an annual hidden “tort tax” of $451 currently being paid by every single Louisiana resident. Were Louisiana to enact additional reforms, the resulting savings to residents and businesses would be an estimated $2.1 billion.
As a result, all major industry groups are negatively impacted. Business and personal services tops the list with job losses totaling more than 7,700, lost wages in excess of $446 million and $951 million in lost output. The travel and entertainment sector is the next hardest-hit with more than 5600 in lost jobs, lost wages in excess of $163 million and more than $545 million in output losses. Coming in third is finance, insurance, and real estate with more than 2600 job losses, nearly $97 million in lost wages and more than $644 million in lost output.
The report also looked at the costs of Louisiana’s civil justice system resulting in specific losses in the largest Metropolitan Statistical Areas (MSA), as outlined below.
o Jobs: 2900+
o Wages: $126+ million
o Economic Activity: $405+ millio
o Jobs: 1580+
o Wages: $76+ million
o Economic Activity: $254+ million
o Jobs: 1000+
o Wages: $54+ million
o Economic Activity: $172+ million
o Jobs: 600+
o Wages: 34+ million
o Economic Activity: 109+ million
Though significant legal reforms were passed by the Louisiana Legislature last year, it will take time for these changes to take effect. Significant legal cost savings to the state and its residents would result from implementation of comprehensive legal reform. Louisiana would experience a spurt of economic growth resulting in jobs gained, increased wages and benefits, as well as a significant expansion of economic activity. State government would also benefit from additional tax revenues. All of these are needed more than ever, as the state continues to recover from the effects of COVID-19.
“These findings clearly show that civil justice reform must continue to be a priority in Louisiana. Frivolous lawsuits and exorbitant plaintiff awards impact all sectors of our economy – especially the critical energy sector. These job-killing lawsuits hurt Louisiana families, and in addition, economic opportunities are driven away while resulting costs are passed down to all Louisianans in the form of higher prices for goods and services,” said LLAW Executive Director Lana Venable.
While providing access to the civil justice system for truly injured parties to be fully and fairly compensated is the bedrock of the American judicial system, civil justice reforms aim to discourage filing of nuisance lawsuits or limit the types of damages that can be received. They are designed to relieve the court system from an abundance of frivilous lawsuits, prevent hurtful and abusive practices against businesses and other defendants, and prevent lawsuits that are overly costly.
“A healthy legal system should ensure fairness for both truly impaired individuals and small and large businesses operating in Louisiana. Imbalances in the system lead to unpredictability for consumers and businesses, costing jobs and resulting in constrained economic growth,” according to Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense Executive Director Karen Eddlemon.
Louisiana earned the number five ranking in the American Tort Reform Foundation’s 2020-21 Judicial Hellholes Report based on systematic application of civil laws and court procedures. The state was also ranked 49th in the US Chamber Institute for Legal Reform’s 2019 Lawsuit Abuse Climate Survey, which measures the reasonability and balance of each states’ tort liability systems.
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About Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW)
Louisiana Lawsuit Abuse Watch (LLAW) is a nonpartisan, nonprofit, citizen watchdog group with nearly 20,000 supporters across the state. LLAW is dedicated to ending lawsuit abuse that hurts Louisiana’s families and threatens local businesses and jobs by bringing more balance, fairness and common sense to Louisiana’s civil justice system. Visit us on Facebook, Twitter (@ReformLouisiana) and www.llaw.org.
About the Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense (LCCS)
The Louisiana Coalition for Common Sense (LCCS) is a group of professional associations, companies and individuals committed to ensuring a fair legal climate for both truly impaired individuals and small and large businesses operating in Louisiana.
About John Dunham & Associates (JDH)
Florida-based John Dunham & Associates provides strong analysis, as well as unique, credible messages and tools for use in lobbying, stakeholder engagement, communications, and litigation support. Firms can better manage potential risks and respond to opportunities by developing fact-based economic materials, messaging tools and stakeholder relations.
Louisiana joins Texas, Mississippi in filing suit against federal government over American Rescue Plan
“In exchange for badly needed funds to assist the States of Texas, Mississippi, and Louisiana and their citizens in recovering from the ongoing pandemic – the American Rescue Plan Act attempts to obligate these states to exercise their core sovereign power of taxation in the way the federal government prefers,” said Attorney General Landry. “Specifically, the Act prohibits the states from reducing net tax revenue on pain of forfeiting up to billions of dollars in federal funding.”
A copy of the suit may be found here.
