A Glimpse Into "Honor Code's" Prison Reform

Source: Louisiana Dept. of Corrections

In case you missed this one, our own "Honor Code", John Bel Edwards, has decided that one of the most important things that needs to be done in this state is prison reform.  As a result, countless number of prisoners will be released.  As with most everything that a liberal might try, there will always be the problem cases.  One particular case would be this:

Law enforcement agencies in this area are especially worried because of the early release recently of a “career criminal” who has since been indicted for first-degree murder in the shooting death of a 10-year-old boy. He also wounded a 17-year-old whom authorities say may never walk again.

The accused man was paroled after serving 24 years of a 99-year prison sentence for armed robbery and other crimes. No explanation has been offered as to how he managed to be paroled.

One can only hope that the "governor" sees what a potential release of criminals will do for society and the citizens of Louisiana.  We urge him to carefully look at each and every case.

Source: Prisoner releases raising questions

Rep. Nancy Landry Rips "Honor Code" on Veto of Legislation Regarding Road and Drainage Projects

Photo source: Facebook  

Rep. Nancy Landry of Lafayette recently took to Facebook to rip our governor, "Honor Code" Edwards, a new one for his veto of legislation that would address road and drainage projects in areas of the state that did not support his tax and spend policies in the last session. 

Below is the text of the post: 

  Governor John Bel Edwards again vetoes projects supported by legislators who don't vote for his plans to spend more and raise taxes. He's even vetoing road and drainage projects that could help prevent flooding.

The governor has vetoed over $5 million in Capital Outlay funding for Lafayette Parish projects, including $2.2 million for a three-lane of Hwy 182 in Broussard, $245,000 to rehabilitate LA 182 from US 90 to LA 89, and $1 million for work on Verot School Road. He also vetoed $2 million for the Horse Farm. 

The odd thing is, there was no need to veto these projects. The governor decides what projects go to the Bond Commission for funding anyway. It was apparently intended to intimidate legislators who don't vote to raise spending and taxes the way he wants. I want to thank our area representatives for taking a strong conservative stand. It's time to stand up for Louisiana and against a governor who relies on bullying tactics to get his way. #StandUp

 Great job Rep. Landry. The citizens and their representatives in Baton Rouge that have had enough of this clown of a governor need to stand up and say "no more"!  

MIGUEZ: Louisiana Budget Problems Won't Be Solved at Taxpayer's Expense

Several one sided and misleading articles have been printed throughout the state this week chastising House Republicans for not having a plan and not solving the budget deficit. However, the real reason these articles have continued to criticize legislators is because we refuse to adopt a plan to raise taxes and continue government growth which has doubled the private sector's growth.  We are NOT planning to solve the deficit on the backs of Louisiana middle-income families and small businesses.

The House has proposed and enacted a better way of dealing with this year’s deficit, which will also help solve the ‘fiscal cliff’ and will help prevent future mid-year deficits. It starts by enacting a standstill budget. The concept behind this standstill budget is simple: 1) we shouldn’t spend more than we expect to receive and 2) government agencies are going to have to learn how to live with the same amount of money that they received last year.  Each time the legislature has spent 100% of the state’s expected revenue forecast, the forecast have been wrong requiring mid-year cuts to agencies which have little time (eliminate: amongst a handful of months) to absorb the cuts and plan their year-end budgets.  As a result, higher education and healthcare are forced to bear the brunt of those cuts.

This year, we decided to end the bad habit of over-appropriating and only budget spending at 97.5% of our expected revenue.  The concept is simple, don't spend "invisible money" that you are unlikely to ever receive. This is exactly what your family and our local businesses do when they suffer a budget crunch — halt the spending and budget less money. This is fiscally prudent budgeting.

Along with the standstill budget, the House fully funded TOPS.  TOPS is an important program promised to high-achieving students and we are honoring our commitment to fully fund TOPS.  Years ago the TOPS program afforded me the opportunity to attain a college degree. I want to ensure that our state's best and brightest have that same great opportunity.

So, the next time you read an article saying the legislature is doing nothing to solve the deficit, remember they are right in one aspect. When it comes to raising your taxes, some of us plan on doing nothing. When it comes to enacting reforms that will prevent government from out-of-control spending growth, we are fighting for you.

Blake Miguez

State Representative District 49

Governor Edwards' Inaction Continues to Stall Money for Flood Victims

Photo source: Governor's Office  

January 2, 2017

Contact: Jason Doré
225-389-4495

Four and a half months after catastrophic flooding throughout Louisiana, much needed money for communities and families is being held up because Governor John Bel Edwards has yet to submit a plan to spend it.

Despite Edwards’ penchant for spending taxpayers' money--his dalliance with relief money is beginning to channel his democrat predecessor, Kathleen Blanco. Edwards has yet to submit a plan to spend $1 billion of federal flood relief money secured for the state by Louisiana's congressional delegation.

"The federal government will not release any money until the state submits a plan detailing how the funds will be appropriated," LAGOP Executive Director Jason Dorè said. "Governor Edwards has spent the last few months singularly focused on the Senate race, in which his chosen candidate was soundly defeated. But that race is over, and the reality is that Governor Edwards has waited too long to do his job and help to relieve the suffering in our flooded communities.”

Beginning in September, Louisiana’s Republican Congressional Delegation urged Governor Edwards to put together a plan immediately on how he’d spend the appropriated federal dollars.

"I just want to urge that it's going to probably be much easier for our negotiations -- or better for our negotiations holistically -- if we've got a plan submitted very clear on how these dollars are going to be spent,” Congressman Garret Graves said following the September appropriation.

"People are tired of waiting for assistance. Governor Edwards was asked four months ago to come up with a plan and has failed to do so," Dorè said. "Our congressional leaders have acted and secured the beginnings of our road to recovery--Governor Edwards needs to do his job or step out of the way and let someone else do it for him."

Louisiana officials should be very familiar with guidelines for securing federal disaster relief assistance after our experiences recovering from major hurricanes and the BP Oil Spill. Yet, as we ring in a new year, families and communities are left hanging in the wind by the inaction of one man: Governor John Bel Edwards.

LAGOP: John Bel's No Good, Very Bad Week

This week hasn’t been kind to Louisiana’s last liberal standing.

Saturday night capped off a fall election season in which every multi-parish candidate endorsed by Governor John Bel Edwards suffered at least a 20 point defeat at the hands of a Republican. This has left the Governor and his Party asking themselves what they possibly could have done to get a single win on their record. At this point, Gov. Edwards and the Louisiana Democratic Party are looking a lot like the Cleveland Browns.

Coming out of the weekend, the Governor was most likely looking forward to a week where he could get back to talking about raising taxes and how Louisianans aren’t paying their fair share. However, Judge Todd Hernandez of the 19th JDC had other plans. Hernandez handed down a decision delivering a crushing blow to Gov. Edwards’ plan to circumvent the Legislature. The 19th JDC decision affirmed the independence of the Attorney General’s office and it ruled that the Governor cannot act outside the scope of his authority by creating law with the stroke of his pen. This ruling will no doubt make the Governor think twice before overstepping his office for the remainder of his term.

To top off a rough Wednesday, Secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, Charlie Melancon issued his resignation. Gov. Edwards stated that he and Melancon agreed that the agency needed to move in a different direction. This marks the first cabinet secretary to leave Gov. Edwards’ administration, with Melancon lasting just 11 moths in the position. After having two months of transition to initially fill this position, Gov. Edwards scratched the back of a failed political buddy in need of work, and the people of Louisiana suffered. Secretary Melancon leaves as a very unpopular leader of the Department of Wildlife and Fisheries, with anglers and fishery advocates furious with many of the department’s decisions when it comes to fishing regulations and ending popular programs such as the fish tagging program. Gov. Edwards is now without someone he described as a “tremendous public servant.” We hope that the Governor has learned his lesson about rewarding the good ole boys, and will move to appoint a Secretary who will help Louisiana remain the Sportsman’s Paradise.

Moving to Thursday morning, Governor John Bel Edwards’ controversial push to hire his top campaign supporters to represent the state in lawsuits potentially worth billions of dollars earned Louisiana a spot on the American Tort Reform Foundation's (ATRF) annual “Judicial Hellholes” list. According to the 2016-2017 report released today, the Pelican State is the nation’s seventh-worst Judicial Hellhole. Featured most prominently in the report, is Gov. Edwards’ ongoing effort to hire his top political supporters in government-sponsored litigation to shakedown the oil and gas industry for billions of dollars to restore the state’s eroding coast. Just another example of how the Governor repaying his friends and donors has caused damage to Louisiana’s business climate.

Just when you thought it couldn’t get much worse, the FBI decided to pay a visit to Gov. Edwards’ brother, Sheriff Daniel Edwards of Tangipahoa Parish, raiding the Sheriff’s office. The Tangipahoa Sherriff’s office was raided in regards to warrants related to a nearly one year-old inquiry into a DEA task force accused of stealing cash from drug dealers, selling confiscated narcotics and tampering with witnesses. The Governor’s brother has been the Sheriff of Tangipahoa Parish for more than 12 years.

This week certainly could not end soon enough for Governor Edwards. Ironically, Republicans are also anxious to kick off next week, albeit for different reasons. On Monday, Louisiana’s 8 Republican Electors will meet at the State Capitol to cast their Electoral College votes for President-elect Donald J. Trump. Another reminder to Louisiana’s last liberal standing that Louisiana is a ruby red state, and his days in the Governor’s Mansion are numbered.

Judge Rules in Favor of Attorney General Jeff Landry, Blocks Governor John Bel Edwards’ Overreach

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
Wednesday, December 14, 2016

Judge Rules in Favor of Attorney General Jeff Landry, Blocks Governor John Bel Edwards’ Overreach

BATON ROUGE, LA – A district court has declared that Governor John Bel Edwards unconstitutionally side-stepped the Legislature and created law, ruling that Executive Order No. JBE 16-11 is unconstitutional and cannot be enforced.

19th Judicial District Court Judge Todd Hernandez today affirmed the constitutional independence of the Attorney General’s office and noted that a Governor cannot act outside the scope of his authority by creating law with the stroke of his pen.

“I applaud Judge Hernandez for basing his ruling on the law, not politics,” said General Landry. “My challenge has always been about upholding the checks and balances on executive authority as established in our State Constitution.”

“In the last eight years, outgoing President Barack Obama has used a phone and a pen to advance an unpopular agenda that he could not get Congress to support,” continued General Landry. “Repeatedly, courts have struck down his actions noting the President cannot simply sidestep the people’s elected Representatives in Congress. Now, John Bel Edwards is using the same Washington-style politics and games here in Louisiana.”

“After efforts to advance his extreme agenda failed by large bipartisan majorities in the Legislature, John Bel Edwards took it upon himself to replace the people’s will with his own. Fortunately for the families and businesses in our State, the court ruled today that the Governor’s executive fiat will not fly in Louisiana,” added General Landry. “We do not live under a King in Louisiana; we have a Governor, an independent Attorney General, an elected Legislature, and a Court system who are all involved in governance along with others. Governor Edwards must live within the Constitution.”

“I am pleased that the Court has enjoined the enforcement of John Bel’s executive order,” concluded General Landry. “My office and I will continue to stand up for our Constitution and the democratic process.”

Judge rules exactly as AG Landry argued as it relates to contracts

Attorney General Jeff Landry has legal right and discretion to approve outside attorneys appointed to represent the State of Louisiana. General Landry has the constitutional right to intervene in any case after approval of counsel: “It is this court’s finding that the specific legislative authority promulgated in La. R.S. 42:262 and La. R.S. 49:258 provides that the office of the attorney general is vested with the authority to use his/her discretion in approving contracts for private legal counsel to state agencies, boards and/or commissions.”
 

LAGOP MEMO: KEY TAKEAWAYS FROM SATURDAY’S VICTORIES

Photo source: LAGOP

As the voters overwhelmingly confirmed on November 8th – and reaffirmed on Saturday, Louisiana is a solidly Republican state. The overwhelming success enjoyed by Republicans in the runoff – spearheaded by John Kennedy’s election to the United States Senate, affirmatively shows that President-Elect Donald J. Trump’s twenty-point victory over Hillary Clinton in Louisiana was no fluke. The last month has proved that John Bel Edwards’ victory in 2015 was the fluke. The people of Louisiana have entrusted Republicans with their most important offices in almost every single major election since 2007. Here are some key takeaways from our overwhelming victories on Saturday:

A UNITED LAGOP/NRSC/RNC EFFORT MADE MORE THAN 600,000 VOTER CONTACTS

The LAGOP’s policies and our efforts to get out the vote are both winning. The LAGOP proudly worked hand-in-hand with the National Republican Senatorial Committee and the Republican National Committee to build an unprecedented ground game and field operation.

During the runoff election alone:

·Republicans made more than 600,000 voter contacts by reaching voters through live phone calls and at their door;

·Republicans mailed nearly 1 million pieces of mail.

As the NRSC, RNC and LAGOP were busy setting up ten field offices across our state and assembling nearly 100 field staffers, the Democrats were busy dodging questions on the Louisiana Senate race. While the NRSC and RNC were eager to ensure that the Republicans won a 52nd Senate seat, the national Democrats were already on holiday vacation.

The National Democrats’ disregard for Louisiana would be embarrassing if it were not so emblematic of the Louisiana Democrat Party’s prospects for the future. The way national Democrats abandoned Foster Campbell is in stark contrast to the devotion and the commitment of national Republicans. As such, John Bel Edwards and the Louisiana Democrats now face a stark and devastating question: if their national counterparts won’t even buy into their agenda and leadership, why will Louisiana voters, now that they have seen the effects of just one year of John Bel Edwards?

PRESIDENT-ELECT TRUMP AND VICE PRESIDENT-ELECT PENCE GOT OUT THE VOTE

President-Elect Donald Trump and Vice President-Elect Mike Pence – who headlined two rallies for our candidates in as many weeks, had a tremendous impact on our success in the runoff because the voters of this state want conservative warriors to join them in Making America Great Again.

The same experts who predicted the demise of the Republican Party and the Republican brand this year now have a responsibility to acknowledge that the American people are clearly ready—and have voted—for conservative, Republican leadership.

LOUSIANA DEMOCRATS HAVE NO BENCH

According to Google, "In sports, having a deep bench means having a large number of very talented players." At first glance, it's hard to even see a bench for Louisiana Democrats except for the one at the bus stop near their "Government Street" headquarters. "Rising stars" such as Caroline Fayard and Stephen Ortego have been rejected by Louisiana voters. The national Democrat Party has the same problem: Their early 2020 presidential bench consists of Joe Biden, Tim Kaine and some guy named "Castro."

EDWARDS’ ENDORSEMENTS ARE TOXIC

Democrats like Foster Campbell didn’t just lose Saturday because of the D beside their name – they lost because of their toxic ties to John Bel Edwards’ failed liberal policies. John Bel Edwards could not have been more effusive in his endorsement of his friend Foster Campbell, and loaned his entire campaign team to the losing effort. Campbell’s lopsided loss and anemic showing is even more evidence that John Bel Edwards’ election was the fluke—a mere blip on the radar of Republican dominance in Louisiana.

In November and on Saturday, Louisiana voters could not have made it more clear that they resoundingly reject John Bel Edwards’ reckless fiscal policies, tax hikes and incessant desire to raid the pockets of hardworking Louisianans instead of addressing the real problems. In November, his candidate for public service commissioner failed to even force a runoff. On Saturday, his endorsed federal candidates failed to crack 40 percent of the vote. As Edwards went 0 for 4 in multi-parish races this fall, it is evident that his endorsement will only further motivate voters to vote against his failed agenda. John Bel Edwards’ days are numbered in the Governor’s office, and state Democrats will soon be running from Edwards’ coattails, not riding on them.

The Republican Party of Louisiana, therefore, strongly encourages the Governor to make even more endorsements in 2017, and beyond.

Jason Doré  - LAGOP

How Many of the Morally Outraged Who Couldn't Vote for Vitter Happy Now?

Photo source: KATC

Yet another one in the "the hits keep on hitting" books, the "Honor Code" governor of Louisiana, John Bel Edwards, has yet again hit more of the citizens of the state straight between and in the pockets.  In true Democrat fashion, instead of seeking other ways to fund the TOPS program in the state for higher education, letters have been sent out to students and families advising that the program is being cut yet again.  This time, to the tune of upwards of 40%.

In his statement regarding the cuts, Honor Code said the following:

"The upcoming regular session in 2017 will give us another opportunity to stabilize Louisiana’s budget and invest in our children’s futures, and I’m asking the legislature to work with me, so that Louisiana’s students are not left to shoulder the burden of our state’s financial problems.” 

Let me break it down to you in English - we're gonna tax that ass even more..................

Don't blame me.  I voted for Vitter.

LANDRY: The Clinton-Edwards Insult

It seems that the latest play by career politicians is to attack those who disagree as backwards. According to recent revelations and interviews, if you maintain a faith in traditional doctrine - you are "backwards."

Last week, in an interview with the Times Picayune, John Bel Edwards said that I was "a backwards-thinking attorney general" for upholding the rule of law against his unconstitutional power grab. This insult followed a similar attack by the Hillary Clinton campaign who mocked the Catholic faith as "severely backwards" when it comes to abortion and same-sex marriage.

While I am offended by these insults, I am not dismayed by them. In fact, I am emboldened to continue doing what you elected me to do: enforce the laws enacted by your duly-elected representatives and protect your freedoms.

For too long - Catholics, Christians, and other people of faith have come under attack by people like Clinton, Edwards, and others who wish to subvert the moral foundations upon which our great State and Nation were built.

As Bill Donohue of the Catholic League recently said of this "stunning movement" in American politics, "bigotry is measured by words and deeds. It doesn't turn on demographic characteristics of the person. If their message is bigoted, then it's bigoted. If their deeds are bigoted, then they're bigoted."

As for me, I will not be intimidated or cower to the Clinton-Edwards attacks on our individual liberty and traditional values. Rather - I will continue to defend our Constitution, the will of the people, and common decency.

I hope you will stand with me in this worthy cause.

For Louisiana,
Jeff Landry

Attorney General Jeff Landry Wins in Court Against "Honor Code" Edwards

The following was released by Attorney General Jeff Landry's office this evening following his win in court against Gov. Edwards' executive order forcing LGBT language in state contracts.

Photo source: NOLA.com

BATON ROUGE, LA – Attorney General Jeff Landry issued the following statement after 19th Judicial District Court Judge Don Johnson dismissed Governor John Bel Edwards’ petition challenging the legal authority of the Attorney General:

“I applaud Judge Johnson for his attentiveness and preparation and for his learned decision and judgment. All along, I have stated my intention to put Louisiana’s best interests forward as I serve as the State’s chief legal officer. I will not cower to executive overreach; rather, I will continue to defend our Constitution and the will of the people.”

And It's Only Beginning...................

Photo source: Oilfield Guru

I recently received an email from an insider in the oil and gas industry here in Louisiana concerning a disturbing trend that I fear will be starting because of short-sighted and ill-advised politicians sucking like leeches on the industry with the threat of lawsuits for coastal erosion.  In the email, which appears below, machine work that is normally done here in our state is now being moved to Texas because of the political climate surrounding people like Governor "Honor Code" Edwards and his crony attorney friends.

Shell recently ordered 10 offshore busing assemblies from a Texas machine shop that used to be machined in Louisiana.  Each assembly is about $120,000.

BP contacted same shop for similar work last week saying that they (BP) have to move work that used to be done in Houma to Texas because of a new political environment facing energy companies working in Louisiana.

Good for Texas but bad for Louisiana.

This is already starting and we haven't even filed the first suit against any oil company yet.  What will happen when our "Governor" finally does file that lawsuit?  I can tell you what will happen.  You'll see the decimation of an industry vital to families and hard-working taxpayers in Louisiana.

If you vote Democrat and working in the oil and gas industry, you seriously need to have your head examined.

But, don't blame me.  I voted for Vitter.

Yet Another Parish Leader Comes Out Against "Honor Code" and His Intentions to Destroy the Oil and Gas Industry

Former legislator from Terrebonne Parish, Gordon Dove, who is now the Parish President for that same parish, has followed suit with many other public servants who have written our "Honor Code" Edwards, Governor of Louisiana, regarding his intention to sue the oil and gas industry for coastal erosion. 

Dove himself served on the Natural Resources and Environment Committee as Chairman and on the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority (CPRA).  Dove goes on to point on that the majority of the issues surrounding coastal erosion lie with the US Corps of Engineers and of natural consequences.

The photos of the letter are below.

Garret Graves Eviscerates "Honor Code" Edwards on His Coastal Lawsuit Fiasco

Photo source: US House of Representatives

Garret Graves, US Congressman from Louisiana's 6th District, absolutely destroys our Governor, "Honor Code" Edwards, regarding his pursuit to extort money from the oil and gas industry so vital to the Louisiana economy. Graves goes into great detail regarding the impact such a lawsuit would have on our state and the oil and gas industry for which many of our taxpayers rely on for their livelihoods. 

The high point of the letter has to be Graves pointing out political ties with attorneys working on behalf of the state in this suit and Edwards.

"Coastal Louisiana is worth saving - not politicizing or used as a tool to enrich supporters and friends". 

A copy of the letter can be seen here.

"Honor Code" Edwards and His Quest to Take Louisiana Back in Time

An excellent piece was recently written concerning the current Governor's quest to take Louisiana back to a time in place ruled by special interests.

Per the piece, "the biggest impact the election of Mr. Edwards means to the people of Louisiana and anyone doing business in the state will, if the Governor gets his way, mean a state government of trial lawyers, by trial lawyers and for trial lawyers."

It's no more evident that this is occurring than his recent attempts to appoint political donors into a lawsuit against oil and gas interests here in Louisiana.

Read more: Edwards Takes Louisiana Government Back In Time

"Honor Code" Is Showing His True Colors

Here's something you've probably not heard on any of the media outlets. WWL and The Advocate are reporting on a story that broke last night highlighting Gov. John Bel Edwards’ involvement in a major pay-for-play scandal over legal contracts that were handed out to his top campaign donors to represent the state in coastal litigation.

Guess that "Honor Code" crap spouted during the campaign was just another lie from just another Democrat. 

Don't blame me. I voted for Vitter. 

The Advocate: Group of Gov. Edwards top donors added to legal team for potentially lucrative coastal lawsuit

http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/environment/article_36a72414-6fd3-11e6-84fb-533941a35403.html

WWL TV: Critics say Gov. Edwards is running his own 'Buddy System'

http://www.wwltv.com/news/investigations/critics-say-gov-edwards-is-running-his-own-buddy-system/312078675

Why Not Acadiana John Bel?

For the morally outraged in our area who couldn't vote for David Vitter and are now being overlooked by Edwards for the rest of the state. Don't blame me. #IVotedForVitter

And John Bel Edwards is Supporting This

Bananas Foster: Talks straight, can't spell!!!!  

This wants to be your next Senator from Louisiana. 

Photo source : Twitter

STONECIPHER: Governor Edwards: Honor Louisiana's Taxpayers

Photo source: KPEL 96.5

 June 19, 2016

No matter anything else, many Louisianans believed John Bel Edwards would shoot much straighter with us than did ex-Governor Bobby Jindal. It gives me no pleasure to say that he is busily proving us wrong.

Our governor's already infamous tax-and-spend war against Louisiana's bedraggled taxpayers is anything but straight-up, regardless that his campaign portrayed him as honor-bound by his military code to so act. 

Many a fact and truth clearly debunk the governor's most basic assertions about Louisiana's financial condition. Although it is tempting to accuse him of taking advantage of a "crisis," such assumes there even is a crisis. 

Our here in the real world where Louisiana's tax payers live, labor and, well, pay taxes, basic facts - truth - instead expose tax-and-spend dogma, not a crisis. 

A key such fact is this:  with "only" the $2 billion in new taxes Governor Edwards has already authored and the state legislature raised, core state spending, after adjustment for inflation, is already set to be +23.8% higher than only 11 years ago.
The Numbers

Louisiana's budget and spending for fiscal year 2004-2005 is the perfect baseline for such analysis. As that spending ended, Hurricane Katrina hit, followed during the period since by Hurricanes Rita, Gustav and Isaac, the Great Recession's "Obama Stimulus" windfall, and the BP disaster.

... Louisiana's core, general fund budget for fiscal 2004-2005 was $6.8 billion (here). Adjusted for inflation, that is equivalent to $8.4 billion today (calculator here).

... Our comparable general fund budget for the current, now ending, 2015-2016 fiscal year is just over $9.0 billion (here).

(The exact amounts are $8,360,420,415 in 2004-2005, inflation-adjusted, and $9,042,826,000 in fiscal year 2015-2016.) 

... That is a real increase of $682,405,585, or +8.2% in core state spending since 2004-2005, before any new taxes.

... A bedrock fact in all of this should be population growth rather than partisan political whim. Between July 1, 2005 and July 1, 2015, our population grew a very weak +3.3% ... from 4,523,628 to 4,670,724 (data here and here). Now, it may well be dropping. 

... An on-going drop in Louisiana government employees should greatly impact any need for more spending. A go-to Associated Press article from 2014 (here) - still applicable I am told - explains this simply:

"Today, thatworkforce (of 93,500) hovers at 62,000 employees - fewer than it's been in more than two decades. Spending on payroll has decreased by about $1 billion annually."


With $2 Billion in New Taxes Already Raised, Edwards Threatens Doomsday 
Using ages-old tax-and-spending doomsday hokum,our governor bangs the table saying he MUST have another $800 million in new taxes in the five final days of the special legislative session. 

Bullfeathers. As explained, the $2.0 billion in new taxes already raised is +23.8% higher than in fiscal 2004-2005. Since then, Louisiana hauled in some $160 billion in extraordinary, never-budgeted revenue - over $140 billion from Hurricane Katrina alone. When that gusher of money ended, many programs - and much spending - remained in place. 

That is our problem ... it is a spending problem, not a revenue problem. That gusher significantly grew state government, and Governor Edwards & Friends are hellbent on locking it in with fiscal madness. 

An honorable state budget would match spending to available, existing revenue. 

Nothing in Louisiana is more endangered than a tax payer. State government has called the dance as 558,000 of us - net - moved away since 1985. Those remaining pay Louisiana's bigger and bigger tax-and-spend band. 

Governor Edwards does not care. If he did, he would honor tax payers.

Elliott Stonecipher


(Elliott Stonecipher does this work pro bono ... no compensation of any kind is solicited or accepted. He has no client or other relationships which in any way influence his selections of subjects or the content of any article. Appropriate credit to Mr. Stonecipher in the sharing - unedited only, of course - is expected. The use of his work without such credit to him is unethical and will not be quietly accepted.)

Louisiana Family Forum: Edwards' Tax Gets Second Shot!

Photo source: Louisiana Family Forum

From LFF 60-Second Brigade Alert System
June 2016

Last week, the The House Ways and Means Committee voted 11-10 to stop a key aspect of the Edwards' tax plan.

On Wednesday, the committee will again vote on an identical measure, HB38 by Rep. Malinda White (D) of Bogalusa.

The fiscal note on the bill indicates it would cost taxpayers $643 million over 5 years.

The Agenda indicates the measure is "Subject to Rules Suspension."  This should indicate that a 2/3 majority of House members present must vote for suspending the rules in order to consider this new tax proposal.

It's no secret that the Governor has been individually lobbying members of the powerful House Ways and Means Committee, trying to persuade them to flip favorable on their vote.

If you think $643 million in new taxes on the shoulders of middle Louisiana is too much, then now is the time to speak up. HB38 is a short bill, so read it carefully.

Here's what it does: HB38 empowers the state to eliminate a percentage of federal itemized deductions from individual state taxes. The deductions that would be dramatically reduced include:

• Federal Taxes Paid,
• Medical Expenses,
• Charitable Donations, and
• Mortage Interest.

Contact House members of the Ways and Means Committee here and express your concern!.

Rep. Blake Miguez Blasts Media Coverage of HB 105

Photo source: Louisiana House of Representatives

Rep. Blake Miguez (R-49) has issued a letter to Louisiana citizens that blasts the media coverage of HB 105, which would allow autonomy over department budgets within the State of Louisiana.  Miguez further criticizes "Benedict Arnold" Jay Dardenne with the following:

The public should also know that Commissioner of Administration Jay Dardenne expressed the same belief in our committee hearings and cited his experience as a statewide elected official in advancing this concept. It is curious why he suddenly changed his position last week.

Kudos to Rep. Miguez for standing up for autonomy for departments within Lousiana regarding budgets and for calling out the traitor, Jay Dardenne, for being a tool of the Edwards' "Honor-Code" administration.