Amite, LA – Last weekend, 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 robbed.
Yes, this is the same Buddy Bel that 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”. The Governor’s spokesman and current campaign manager, Richard Carbo, noted that the payment was properly recorded in campaign finance reports.
“If you believe that John Bel Edwards paid an elderly mayor $8,750 to put-up a few campaign signs… I’ve got some Mardi Gras tickets to sell you,” commented LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison.
Of course, federal investigations connected to the Edwards family have been ongoing in Tangipahoa Parish for generations. While Sheriff, Daniel Edwards has been involved in multiple federal investigations; federal agents even confiscated his computer as evidence in one of their investigations.
Their father, long-time Sheriff Frank Edwards Jr., was also investigated by federal authorities during his campaign for reelection. In fact, former Sheriff Edwards was so frustrated by one federal investigation that he tried to sue a Special Agent from the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms.
It seems the apples didn’t fall far from the tree.
Posts filed under John Bel Edwards
Democrats Falsely Take Credit for Republican AG Jeff Landry’s Sweeping Louisiana Healthcare Bill
Photo source: Twitter
“A Democratic campaign arm attempting to give John Bel Edwards credit for my Legislation, developed with Republican leaders, to protect pre-existing healthcare conditions without Obamacare,” Landry charged Tuesday. “A bill he attacked. THAT’S RICH. Thank you for recognizing the bipartisan support.”
Read more: Democrats Falsely Take Credit for Republican AG Jeff Landry’s Sweeping Louisiana Healthcare Bill
Or, Better Worded, Governor Signs Jeff Landry's Healthcare Bill Into Law
Trying their best to cover the backside of the liberal governor they love so much, Louisiana media has reported that “Honor Code” Edwards, who once called the healthcare bill recently passed by the legislature a “fig leaf” for Attorney General Landry, has signed that same bill into law.
After calling the bill a “fig leaf” aimed at saving Louisiana’s attorney general from embarrassment, Gov. John Bel Edwards quietly signed into a law a measure pushed by one of his political rivals that aims to eventually offer some protections to patients if the Affordable Care Act is overturned.
The bill was backed by Attorney General Jeff Landry, and authorizes the state’s insurance commissioner to study other state’s health care models to come up with a potential replacement for the ACA’s individual health exchange. It would only be necessary if the ACA is overturned--which is the goal of a lawsuit that Landry has joined.
Read more: After criticizing health insurance bill, Gov. Edwards signs measure pushed by Jeff Landry
LAGOP: Former Edwards Administration Official Admits to Stealing Over $550,000 from Hospital Charity
Prosecutors say Funes stole gift cards intended for cancer patients
(Baton Rouge, LA) – A member of the Governor’s Healthcare Transition Committee pled guilty in a Baton Rouge Federal Court today to charges of wire fraud and money laundering.
Federal Investigators caught John Paul Funes chartering private flights for his friends and family while forcing the Our Lake of the Lake Foundation to cover the expenses by creating fraudulent bills for “outbound patient transports”. Investigators also discovered Funes repeatedly stole gift cards intended for cancer patients and spent them for his personal benefit.
After being elected Governor, John Bel Edwards named John Paul Funes to his Healthcare Transition Committee and tasked the committee with developing a plan to expand Medicaid in Louisiana.
The Governor’s expansion of Medicaid was a disaster. Hundreds of millions of dollars have been wasted, tens of thousands of people have been kicked out of the program, and thousands have died on waiting lists.
Conservatives in Louisiana have been shocked at the amount of fraud and waste and have been wondering for years why an Administration would make so many mistakes with so much taxpayer money at risk.
Today we found out why.
LAGOP: Louisiana Economy Being Left Behind Under John Bel Edwards
(Baton Rouge, LA) – Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics of the U.S. Department of Labor released the latest information on State Employment and Unemployment. While it is clear the policies of President Trump have caused a national economic boom, these statistics clearly show that Louisiana is being left behind.
Unemployment Rate – May 2019
United States 3.6
Louisiana 4.4
Texas 3.5
Alabama 3.7
Arkansas 3.6
Florida 3.4
Georgia 3.8
Tennessee 3.3
Mississippi 5.0
Unfortunately for the people of Louisiana, this report contains even MORE troubling statistics. Not only is Louisiana growing at the SLOWEST RATE IN THE COUNTRY, but we are LOSING people! From May 2018 to May 2019 Louisiana saw only a 0.1% change in nonfarm employment, the lowest in the ENITRE COUNTRY.
Even more troubling is the fact that our civilian labor force is shrinking under Governor John Bel Edwards. Our unemployment rate is going down because people are LEAVING Louisiana, not because they are finding jobs. In May of 2018 the civilian labor force of Louisiana was 2,106,604. By April 2019 the labor force in Louisiana had shrunk to 2,098,308.
In just the last 11 months 8,296 people have left the Louisiana workforce, that is 25 people every single day!
It is obvious Louisiana is being left behind but the only job John Bel Edwards is fighting to save is his own.
LAGOP: NEW POLL: Democrat Disaster Brewing for Governor John Bel Edwards
42% of all Louisiana Democrats & 64% of Louisiana Democrats under 35 want a new Democratic candidate for Governor
(Baton Rouge, LA) – This week, We Ask America, a nationally recognized polling firm, released the fourth in a series of statewide public opinion polls from across the country. According to the findings of their poll of Louisiana Democrats conducted between June 5th and 6th, Governor Edwards has a lot of work to do to shore up his Democratic base.
The poll finds that 42% of Democrats want to see Edwards get a Democratic primary challenger in the race, a troubling number for any incumbent that rises to a shocking 64% among younger voters. Another troubling sign for Edwards in the We Ask America poll is his lack of support and enthusiasm among young voters.
In addition to 64% support for a primary challenge, just 57% of voters aged 18-35 indicate they are “Certain” to vote in October. These younger Democrats will be crucial for Edwards if he hopes to build a local campaign organization, and his path to victory gets extremely difficult if these voters do not turn out to vote.
It has been a rough few weeks for Louisiana’s Democratic Governor as he found himself in the crosshairs of several Democratic Presidential candidates and even the head of the Louisiana Democrats expressed disgust with her candidate for Governor.
With Louisiana Democratic Party leaders openly criticizing him and a plurality of Democratic voters either supportive of a primary challenge or undecided, John Bel Edwards is becoming more vulnerable by the day.
LAGOP: Attorney General Jeff Landry Leads Bipartisan Obamacare Replacement Bill Through State Legislature
Will Governor Edwards swallow his pride and sign Landry’s plan?
(Baton Rouge, LA) – Attorney General Jeff Landry and House Speaker Taylor Barras partnered with Senator Fred Mills and Representative Kirk Talbot to reach across the aisle and develop a consensus behindlegislationto protect people in Louisiana with pre-existing conditions, in case the Affordable Care Act is struck down by the courts. Working alongside Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, the legislature overwhelmingly supported this bipartisan plan to ensure the people of Louisiana will have access to affordable health insurance after Obamacare.
This bipartisan effortserves as a reminder to the people of Louisiana that our elected officials, regardless of political party, can come together in Baton Rouge and make important decisions for the betterment of the state, or at least most of our elected officials can...
Unfortunately, Governor Edwards has fought this bill at every stage of the legislative process. First, Edwards and his allies introduced a competing bill that failedin committee. Edwards thenlashed outin the media and began slandering the bipartisan plan. Unable to disrupt the momentum of the bipartisan legislation, Edwardsthrew togethera task force in anattemptto steal the headlines for himself. On the Senate floor, Edwards sent one of his allies to attack the bill with a hostile amendment. All of his efforts failed.
Back in April Governor Edwards saidthat he was looking forward to working with the Legislature to find common ground for both parties to work together. Instead he chose to sit in his mansion and attack real bipartisanship. Fortunately for Louisiana, the legislature went ahead and did the hard work, finding bipartisan ground to protect our healthcare.
Now all we need the Governor to do is stop pouting and sign the bill!
LAGOP: SHOCK POLL: Less Than Half of Democrats Are Committed to Voting for John Bel Edwards
(Baton Rouge, LA) – A new poll focused on the Louisiana Governor’s race is sending shockwaves through the campaign of Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards.
“It looks like Governor Edwards will be shifting his re-election campaign into an apology tour,” said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison.
Democratic respondents were asked: “Are you definitely voting for John Bel Edwards or would you consider voting for another Democratic candidate?” Only 49% of Louisiana Democrats are definitely supporting the Governor for re-election.Almost 30% of Louisiana Democrats are shopping for a new candidate, while 15% of Democrats say they aren’t voting for a Democrat.
This is a major disaster for John Bel Edwards!
LAGOP: John Bel Edwards Must Refuse Campaign Cash from Pro-Abortion Lobby
Democratic Governors Association Received Over $500,000 From Planned Parenthood Since Backing Edwards in 2015
(Baton Rouge, LA) – While Governor John Bel Edwards attempts to appeal to conservative voters in an election year by pledging to sign pro-life legislation, his campaign is receiving financial support and resources from national organizations that are funded by pro-abortion groups like Planned Parenthood.
The Democratic Governors Association (DGA), which spent millions to help elect Edwards in 2015, and already has paid staffers on the ground to help his re-election efforts, has accepted $570,780 in contributions from Planned Parenthood Action Fund from 2015-2018.
Both Planned Parenthood and the DGA are actively campaigning against pro-life legislation across the country. Earlier this month, the DGA sent out an email opening with: “Friends, abortion rights are under attack in the states,” and recently tweeted that “attacks on women’s health care prove that the threat to women’s reproductive rights is real and present,” referencing legislation similar to Louisiana’s.
Leading national Democrats, including Democratic National Committee (DNC) Chairman Tom Perez and 2020 presidential candidate Kirsten Gillibrand, have called on the party to be “100 percent pro-choice.”
“Professional politician John Bel Edwards is trying to have it both ways. While he claims to be pro-life, his campaign machine is running on cash from groups funded by Planned Parenthood," said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison. “This year, the people of Louisiana will have the opportunity to elect a strong, pro-life governor who doesn’t have to beg for money from the abortion lobby.”
Meanwhile his supporters are pointing to his record as a liberal Democrat to make the case for organizations like the DGA to keep the dollars flowing. The Huffington Post reports that “Edwards’ supporters note he’s a mainstream Democrat on economic issues,” and Gumbo PAC Director Trey Ourso argues that Edwards “has been succeeding on many issues that Democrats care about and fight for.”
It’s past time for Edwards to put his money where his mouth is and reject any support from these pro-abortion groups. Until he does, John Bel Edwards is just another Democrat that Louisiana conservatives can't afford.
LAGOP: PRESS RELEASE: Governor John Bel Edwards Caught Meddling in LSU Athletics
Secret Text Messages and Suspicious Behavior
Governor John Bel Edwards Caught Meddling in LSU Athletics
(Baton Rouge, LA) – Yesterday, we learned that Governor John Bel Edwards was apparently very determined to obtain inside information on the playing status of one of LSU’s star basketball players, before this information was made public. The Governor sent multiple text messages to several LSU administrators, and continued to follow-up on the conversations until he received the insider information he was seeking.
Of course, this could all just be a case of Governor Edwards being a fan…except that his office and staff have treated this report so strangely, lashing out at every mention of it and fighting any further news coverage.
The Governor’s team promptly began a “definitely not hiding anything” communications strategy by refusing to comply with a simple records request for two months, delaying the production of these easily accessible and easily searchable electronic records to the media.
Next, and still definitely not hiding anything, the Governor’s office redacted certain comments from the text messages and refused to provide his text conversation with an LSU attorney.
Still definitely not hiding anything, Governor Edwards sent his top lawyer to answer questions about the matter. His attorney then stated “He (the Governor) was not trying to weigh in on whether he (the player) should or should not play. That clearly did not happen and would not have happened.”
Now the Governor’s communication staff is shouting down this article on social media and vigorously retweeting “defenders” of the Governor getting involved in this situation – DEFINITELY. NOT. HIDING. ANYTHING.
We have a few questions:
With whom did the Governor share this insider information?
Did those same individuals bet on any LSU basketball games?
What did Governor Edwards and F. King Alexander discuss on the phone?
Who asked the Governor to obtain this information?
Why did the Governor need to know this information before the public learned of it?
Why did it take two months to respond to the records request?
Why did the Governor question those specific LSU administrators?
If the Governor’s interest in this matter was only personal, why did he discuss the matter with one of LSU’s attorneys?
Further, if Governor Edwards was “asking for a journalist” why does the content of his conversation with the LSU attorney require the protection of the attorney-client privilege?
LAGOP: Governor Edwards Flip-Flops on Support of Government Spending Cap
(Baton Rouge, LA) – In 2017, Governor Edwards surprised many of the Republicans in the legislature as his administration expressed support for a cap on government spending and limiting the amount the legislature could spend to 98% of projected revenues.
The Advocate reported on March 19, 2017, that the governor backed this 98% spending cap back when Sen. Jim Fannin (R-Jonesboro) authored it. “The governor is supportive of this idea because we want to make sure we’re good stewards of the public’s money,” said Kimberly Robinson, who heads the Revenue Department. “If we have unforeseen incidents such as hurricanes, tornadoes or floods that require state government to spend extra resources, the unspent money will be available.”
Fast forward to the present legislative session, Rep. Rick Edmonds (R-Baton Rouge) has authored a spending cap proposal that would go into effect next fiscal year and the Edwards administration suddenly opposes spending caps.
Matthew Block, speaking on behalf of the Governor, lashed out against the spending cap proposal calling the idea “intellectually dishonest” during the bill’s hearing at the Senate Finance Committee Meeting held on Tuesday. The bill, HB 147, would prevent the government from spending 2% of its total budget, amounting to $834 million over the next four fiscal years that could be put toward the rainy-day fund. The bill has passed the House and is awaiting its day on the Senate floor.
“The governor’s administration stated that they supported the idea once we got out of a budget crisis,” Edmonds said. “We have a surplus this year and there is no fiscal cliff on the horizon. What better time would there be to implement this measure?”
LAGOP: Audit Bombshell: Edwards Administration Admits to Ignoring State Law
Louisiana Department of Health caught handing out millions per month in illegal Medicaid payments to Governor’s campaign donors
Baton Rouge, LA – Last week, Legislative Auditor Daryl Purpera released the latest audit covering the Louisiana Department of Health. This report details the lack of compliance of the Louisiana Department of Health (LDH), behavioral health providers, and managed care organizations with certain provisions of Louisiana Revised Statute 40:2162.
The audit found that 114,963 (40.2 percent) of the 286,307 Medicaid claims submitted and paid for psychosocial rehabilitation (PSR) and community psychiatric support (CPST) and treatment services provided between January 1, 2019, and March 31, 2019, DID NOT include the National Provider Identification (NPI) number of the individual who provided the service.
These illegally paid claims represent $10,504,923 (40.4 percent) of the $26,023,323 paid for PSR and CPST services over the same three-month period.
This accountability requirement was introduced in the 2018 Regular Session as SB564 by Democratic Senator Jay Luneau. It passed both through both chambers unanimously and was signed by the Governor, but apparently after signing the new law, John Bel Edwards threw it in the trash!
The Edwards Administration and the Louisiana Department of Health simply chose to ignore the law and the Louisiana Legislature; costing taxpayers MILLIONS every month and would end up costing the state ABOUT $40 MILLION by the end of the year.
The State Superintendent of Education is begging for $15 million for early childhood education. The state legislature is currently fighting over $39 millionin school funding. Meanwhile, John Bel Edwards and his Louisiana Department of Health are breaking the law and on-pace to give away $40 million of taxpayer money.
Yesterday, the groups involved called this illegal $10 million handout a “technical glitch” and focused on the provider side of the problem.
Why is the Louisiana Department of Health intentionally paying MILLIONS in illegal Medicaid claims?
The same companies taking taxpayer money through these illegal claims are bending over backwards to funnel campaign money to Governor John Bel Edwards. The people of Louisiana deserve better.
###
LAGOP: Gov. Edwards Manipulates Economic Data, Attempts to Trick Local Media
Baton Rouge, LA – Today the Bureau of Labor Statistics released new economic data.
In response to this report, Governor Edwards and his campaign team released a statement and took to social media trying to spin these statistics before the media could read the report.
Wait a second…3.5%? Is that a typo? No. It is an intentional manipulation of the data to fit their political agenda. The Governor’s team has decided to use “non-seasonally adjusted” numbers.
According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics: “As a general rule, the monthly employment and unemployment numbers reported in the news areseasonally adjusted data.Seasonally adjusted data are useful when comparing several months of data. Annual average estimates are calculated from the not seasonally adjusted data series.”
“There are fewer workers and fewer jobs in Louisiana today than last month and last year. How long is this Governor going to get away with lying about economic numbers?" said LAGOP Executive Director Andrew Bautsch.
This was not a mistake. This is an intentional misrepresentation of the data by the Governor and his campaign team.
The people of Louisiana know that under John Bel Edwards, Louisiana is falling behind the nation. In fact, since John Bel Edwards was elected Governor, more than 65,000 people have left Louisiana to find a job in another state where they can enjoy the full benefits of President Trump’s economic policy.
“This Governor prioritized meeting with an American Idol over meeting with the American President. The people of Louisiana see right through this pathetic attempt by John Bel Edwards to steal credit for President Trump’s economic success,” said LAGOP Communications Director Jason Harbison.
###
LAGOP: Gov. Edwards Named Politician of the Year by Drug Rehab Company Accused of “the Closest Thing to Slavery”
Baton Rouge, LA –State officials in Texas and Louisiana have launched multiple probesinto the Cenikor Foundation following an investigation by Reveal that found the prominent drug rehabilitation services provider has turned patients into an unpaid labor force for private companies.
"It's like the closest thing to slavery," said Logan Tullier, a former Cenikor participant who worked 10 hours per day at oil refineries, laying steel rebar in 115-degree heat. "We were making them all the money."
Yesterday, Governor John Bel Edwards provided cover for Cenikor, saying he was confident the Department of Health would investigate any complaints.
Unfortunately for Governor Edwards, the Louisiana Department of Health had already cleared Cenikor. Records released Monday show department investigators found that Cenikor failed to conduct background checks on certain staff and that the kitchen was physically unsafe for residents. However, after spending two days at Cenikor, the department closed its investigation and gave Cenikor permission to continue providing treatment services.
Why are John Bel Edwards and his Louisiana Department of Health covering for this company instead of condemning it?
Why are John Bel Edwards and his Louisiana Department of Health still sending Cenikor our tax dollars via Medicaid if they might be abusing our citizens?
Just a few months ago, Cenikor named Gov. John Bel Edwards “Cenikor’s elected official of the year.”
"Organizations like the Cenikor Foundation provide life-saving treatment services and rehabilitation programs to individuals across the state who are working to free themselves from substance abuse and addiction. Our administration has made incredible strides to combat drug abuse and promote treatment options, and I am humbled to accept this Cenikor honor on their behalf,” Governor Edwards posted on Facebook after accepting the award.
With this conflict of interest, Governor Edwards has focused on distancing himself from the scandal while covering for Cenikor. Thankfully for Louisiana, Attorney General Jeff Landry has filled the void left by our cowering Governor and is taking action to make sure Cenikor is held accountable.
Landry is investigating Cenikor for possible Medicaid fraud. The program receives Medicaid funding and has received millions of dollars in state contracts for behavioral health services. A spokesman declined to comment on the investigation but said, "If there's evidence of a crime that involves Medicaid, that's something our office takes a strong interest in.”
In addition to government investigations, former patients are suing the rehab program for back wages in four separate lawsuits, and two of Cenikor's biggest work contracts have stopped using workers from the program.
Read the full story at: Reveal News
###
“Honor Code” Leads Louisiana to Last Place Yet Again
Photo source: Wikipedia
After all the talk about his “Honor Code” during the election, it seems like Gov. John Bel Edwards couldn’t lead an elementary school parade, much less the State of Louisiana.
Louisiana ranked at or near the bottom in all categories. Fiscal stability was the state’s strongest category ranking (43rd). U.S. News acknowledged the Louisiana government’s relatively stable credit score and a liquidity that was on par with the national average.
But the state ranked last in crime, natural environment and opportunity. The list noted a poverty rate well above the national average and average household income of $46,165 (roughly $14,000 short of the national average). The state’s incarceration rate is among the worst in the country and violent crime is high.
Louisiana, don’t fall for this clown’s crap come November. Vote Republican!
LAGOP: LOUISIANA- FIRST IN LAST, AGAIN
So once more Louisiana is dead last in a ranking of all fifty states! This particular ranking, by U. S. News & World Report magazine, is, unfortunately, one of the older, more respected and widely noted of such rankings.
This ranking evaluated education, healthcare, infrastructure, opportunity, crime and quality of life metrics- precisely the sort of things that we elected John Bel Edwards to fix in 2015. However, the Governor faults the evaluating criteria, accusing the magazine of using old data sources, presumably pre-2019 data. But then 2019 is not yet over, so one hesitates to cast aspersions on U. S. News & World Report for this omission.
The sad fact is that this magazine has reached the same conclusion that Louisiana is the worst state to live in for three straight years. There can be little doubt where we will be in the rankings next year, and let us not forget the many other state rankings by numerous other institutions which confirm our terrible condition.
Harken back to the heady days of the 2015 campaign and the many promises made by John Bel Edwards: That he would reform our bloated and inefficient state government, that he would not raise our taxes, that he would repair our infrastructure, etc., etc. Yet what do we have to show for all the bitterness in tone, the innumerable legislative sessions, the threats to throw nursing home patients out in the street and end the LSU football program, and so forth?
We have higher taxes, decaying infrastructure, a terrible public education system, an out-of-control Louisiana Department of Health & Hospitals (which will break us financially in the next several years), and one of the slowest growing state economies in the country. And all the while tens of thousands of our fellow citizens leave Louisiana every year for greener pastures...
The missed opportunities of this administration boggle the mind, but John Bel Edwards faults the data. We fault this Governor!
On to Victory in 2019!
Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana
AG Jeff Landry Spearheading Bipartisan Effort on Obamacare Replacement
Photo source: Twitter
In what is another example of Attorney General Jeff Landry showing true leadership in Baton Rouge, a bill working it’s way through the legislature, which would replace Obamacare, is receiving bipartisan support
State Attorney General Jeff Landry, a former Republican congressman, has spearheaded the effort, saying it would inject real competition into the health insurance market, reduce costs for consumers and provide a safety net for those whose pre-existing conditions, such as cancer and diabetes.
“What we’re doing is going back to federalist principles, working within the long-established powers of the state,” Mr. Landry said. “It will be interesting to see what the governor will do.”
The ball is in the Governor’s court. Let’s see if he truly is worthy of that “Honor Code” label he loves to use
Read more: Louisiana Republicans win Democrats' support with first Obamacare replacement
If We Only Had a Governor Committed to Oil and Gas
At least we have a President who’s committed to one of the greatest industries in the state of Louisiana. The following was announced today regarding President Trump visiting the Bayou State.
According to Senator Bill Cassidy, President Trump will be touring the Sempra Energy’s Cameron LNG Export Facility on May 14, 2019.
“I thank President Trump for his commitment to unleashing American energy and supporting Louisiana energy workers,” said Cassidy. “Under Republicans’ watch, we’ve seen new investment in projects from the wellhead to the export facility—bringing billions to our state and creating good-paying jobs for Louisiana workers.”
Too bad we have a governor that has done everything he could to break the back of oil and gas in this state with his trial attorney cronies.
Read more: President Trump to visit natural gas facility in Cameron Parish next week
Oil and Gas is Still an Important Economy in Louisiana, No Matter What “Honor Code” Thinks
Photo source: Oil and Gas IQ
While “Honor Code” Edwards and his trial lawyer cronies are bent on crippling one of the greatest economies that this state has ever had, oil and gas still proves to be a bountiful source of revenue for Louisiana.
WASHINGTON — Louisiana will get nearly $95 million for coastal protection and restoration efforts in the latest round of payments from the federal government’s Gulf energy royalties.
State officials quickly hailed the announcement of the latest round of Gulf of Mexico Energy and Security Act funding as a win for the state’s conservation and hurricane protection efforts.
Read more: Louisiana gets nearly $95 million for coastal restoration from federal oil revenue-sharing pact
LAGOP: John Bel Edwards Has Failed Louisiana's Oil and Gas Industry
(Baton Rouge, LA) – Today, as we observe Oil & Gas Day in Louisiana, Governor John Bel Edwards continues his assault on Louisiana’s lifeblood, the oil and gas industry, thereby jeopardizing the economic security of hundreds of thousands of workers and their families.
Since taking office Edwards has bombarded the oil and gas companies with lawsuits, regulations, and higher taxes, and the sad results clearly show in Louisiana’s diminished importance in the nation’s energy economy.
To illustrate the damage that John Bel Edwards has caused, read below:
He has actively encouraged lawsuits against the oil and gas industry in parishes across the state, which is unsurprising since the trial lawyer lobby spent over $2.6 million electing him.
The Wall Street Journal:“Louisiana Gov. John Bel Edwards was elected in 2015 with substantial support from trial lawyers, and he’s now repaying them in kind. The former minority leader of the state’s House of Representatives is effectively extorting oil and gas companies to backfill the budget while engineering what could be a handsome payday for his friends at a politically connected law firm.” (March 2018)
His changes to Louisiana’s highly successful, eighty plus year old Industrial Tax Exemption Program (ITEP) have burdened energy companies by creating uncertainty in the cost of future investment in the state. ExxonMobil has taken the extraordinary step of publicly stating that they will no longer factor the program into their decision-making.
ExxonMobil:“Due to the uncertainty, we will have to assume there is no ITEP incentive as we make cost projections on future investment opportunities in Louisiana.” (January 2019)
In 2018 alone, Louisiana under John Bel Edwards lost 1,100 jobs in the sector that includes the oil and gas industry, according to data released by the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics.
Under John Bel Edwards, Louisiana has raised taxes and fees at a higher rate than any other state in the country, further weakening the business climate for the state’s oil and gas industry.
Former Democratic Congressman Chris John:“It is the engine that drives our economy… A governor who would not recognize that, I think, is doing a disservice to Louisiana.” (July 2018)
With more than 260,000 employees across the state and an average annual wage of more than $96,500 (almost double the state’s average wage), and a contribution of more than $2 billion in annual state taxes, it is clear that the energy industry is critical to Louisiana’s employment, state budget and overall economic success.
“Our state deserves a governor who will work to build up our economy, not tear it down. Governor Edwards continues to show that he is willing to put Louisiana’s economic health and working families at risk to boost his trial lawyer backers,” commented LAGOP Chairman Executive Director Andrew Bautsch
###
