Posts filed under Louisiana

IBERIA PARISH AND THE CONTINUING SAGA SURROUNDING THE SHERIFF'S DEPARTMENT

In what makes yet another story in years of turmoil within the Iberia Parish Sheriff's Office, the Department is under investigation of improper use of force against an inmate in the Parish Jail while in custody.  The video concerning that incident can be seen here.

The latest incident comes on the heels of the death of Victor White, who died while in police custody and was determined to have inflicted a deadly wound to himself with a hidden gun, all the while handcuffed with his hands behind his back.

In addition, the Sheriff's Department was named in a federal investigation concerning improper use of force during Louisiana Sugar Cane Festival celebrations in 2013.  A video was taken of a deputy beating a handcuffed man following the Festival on Hopkins St.  As a result of the video, the deputy was fired from the Department by Sheriff Louis Ackal.

Ackal has repeatedly said he is working to clean up the Department, but settlements with plaintiffs concerning issues with his Department and behaviors of his deputies have mounted to $1.1 million dollars.

Posted on May 4, 2015 and filed under Louisiana, Law Enforcement.

LANDRY RECEIVES ENDORSEMENT OF THE FAMILY RESEARCH COUNCIL IN RACE FOR LOUISIANA A.G.

Photo source: KPEL 96.5

Photo source: KPEL 96.5

In a repeat of his election in 2012 against Charles Boustany for US House, Jeff Landry has picked up the endorsement of the Family Research Council.  In this instance, they have endorsed his candidacy for Louisiana Attorney General in his race against incumbent Buddy Caldwell.

The release from FRCAction stated the following:

“Your background as a congressman and law enforcement official makes you an exceptional candidate for Attorney General,” wrote officials of FRCAction. “You have proven that you will champion the core value’s of our country: faith, family and freedom. We have also witnessed your staunch defense  of the constitution, including our second amendment rights.”

Read more: Jeff Landry gets Family Research Council Action endorsement

Posted on May 4, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

VITTER ANNOUNCES ENDORSEMENT FROM LOUISIANA TREASURER JOHN KENNEDY

 

For Immediate Release                                                                
Contact: Luke Bolar

504-779-3771

May 4, 2015                                                                                          

 

Vitter Announces Endorsement from Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy

 

BATON ROUGE, LA – David Vitter today announced a key endorsement from Louisiana Treasurer John Kennedy. Kennedy had recently been perceived as a potential candidate for Governor.  Kennedy highlighted Vitter’s bold leadership style and ability to take on Louisiana’s fiscal challenges and Vitter’s plan, Together, Louisiana Strong.

"I've always known David to be a bold leader who will take on the tough issues and not back down. That's what we need right now – someone who will face our challenges head on, and someone who actually has a plan to do that. That's exactly who David is and why I'm strongly supporting him to be our next Governor,” Kennedy said.

 

Posted on May 4, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION ACT PASSED OUT OF COMMITTEE

The following email release was sent out by the LAGOP Executive Director, Jason Dore, concerning the Paycheck Protection Act, which was passed out of committee: 

On Thursday, eight brave Republican members of the Louisiana House of Representatives voted for the Paycheck Protection Bill and successfully passed this vital legislation out of committee. This legislation, HB 418 by Rep. Stuart Bishop, prevents the state government from automatically withholding union dues from the paychecks of government employees. We still have a long way to go before this bill becomes law, but this was an important step as liberal union leaders killed similar legislation in this committee twice before.

These eight heroes endured hours of angry testimony and threats from liberal extremists. The abuse that they endured was unacceptable. I believe that they deserve to hear some words of appreciation from the good guys, so I have included their names and email addresses below. Please take a few minutes to send them a note of appreciation for standing with Louisiana taxpayers. 

Chris Broadwater - cbroadwater@legis.la.gov
Stuart Bishop - sbishop@legis.la.gov
Lance Harris - lharris@legis.la.gov
Valarie Hodges - vhodges@legis.la.gov
Blake Miguez - miguezb@legis.la.gov
Clay Schexnayder - cschexnayder@legis.la.gov
Alan Seabaugh - aseabaugh@legis.la.gov
Lenar Whitney - lwhitney@legis.la.gov

Thanks for standing with us on this important legislation.

Jason 

 


 
Photo source: LAGOP

Photo source: LAGOP

Posted on May 1, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION ACT (HB 418) TO BE HEARD ON THURSDAY

Photo source: Louisiana House

Photo source: Louisiana House

As previously reported here on this blog, the Paycheck Protection Act was introduced in this Louisiana legislative session in response to the state collecting union dues from state employees.  The bill, introduced by Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette), is scheduled to be heard in committee on the 30th of this month. 

Per Keep Louisiana Working, the bill will do the following:

What is paycheck protection?

Paycheck protection aims end the practice of taxpayer sponsored payroll deductions to support government union political machines. We believe unions should use their own staff and resources to collect dues to further their own political platforms and taxpayers should not be forced to subsidize union political activities. Paycheck protection does not prevent individuals from joining unions, it simply seeks to end the union practice of using taxpayer dollars for their own benefit.

Unions use employee-funded dues to promote their extensive political advocacy efforts, regardless of whether taxpayers support their beliefs. And while dues can’t be given directly to candidates, unions can use the funds to advance positions independent of the individual’s wishes. Unions can utilize direct contact tools in support or opposition to political candidates, lobby legislators, purchase media, and provide events for PACs.

Paycheck protection gives public employees the freedom to choose whether or not they want to contribute to a union and fund their political activities. Louisiana’s government unions have a unique and unfair political privilege that is destructive to taxpayers and an indefensible use of state resources.

This bill deserves the support of all that believe that the state should not be in the collections business.

Posted on April 29, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

CONGRESSMAN JEFF LANDRY OUTPACES A.G. BUDDY CALDWELL IN FUNDRAISING

Former Congressman Jeff Landry reported in an email press release that he has outpaced Buddy Caldwell in fundraising since announcing his candidacy for the Louisiana Attorney General's position.  Landry has out-raised Caldwell 3-1 since making his announcement and has now reported $1.3 million dollars in the bank as opposed to Caldwell's $617,000.

As outlined in his email release Landry stated the following as reasons for the numbers he's achieved in fundraising:

We have an Attorney General who told us he wanted to change from being a lifelong Democrat to becoming a Republican. We believed Buddy Caldwell. But what did he do?

Caldwell supported Mary Landrieu for re-election last year. The same Mary Landrieu who voted for taxpayer funded abortions and who was opposed by the NRA.

Our current Attorney General ran for office claiming he would be ethical.

However, we learned a Legislative Audit found Caldwell spent taxpayer money on personal clothes and golf outings. Just this week, another article came out noting Buddy Caldwell has given out more than $13,000,000 in no-bid state contracts to outside attorneys who are directly connected to his political campaign, including his former campaign manager and numerous donors.

Posted on April 29, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

HB 326 AND HB 359 TO BE HEARD IN LOUISIANA LEGISLATIVE SESSION

Photo source: Ballotpedia

Photo source: Ballotpedia

The party of "stay out of my bedroom" is back with two more bills that intrude on the family and our youth here in Louisiana. 

Per Louisiana Family Forum, on Wednesday, April 29, the House Education Committee will hear HB 326 and HB 359 by Rep Wesley Bishop, D-New Orleans.

HB 326 allows the Louisiana Department of Education to survey public school students in Orleans Parish (at any age level) regarding sexual practices and sexual behaviors.

HB 359 requires the teaching of “sex education” in Orleans Parish grades 7 through 12 and allows offering sex education to Orleans Parish children in grades 3 through 6. In comparison, current state law authorizes schools to offer “sex education” classes in all public schools throughout the state grades 7-12. The instruction in sex education outlined in the bill mixes abstinence education with information on contraception and condoms. It also includes positive affirmation of “sexual orientation,” “gender identity,” and alternative family structures.

Yet again, the liberals within the State are trying to push their beliefs on those that are most vulnerable, our youth.

Posted on April 29, 2015 and filed under Liberals, Louisiana.

VITTER CONTINUES TO DOMINATE IN FUNDRAISING

Photo source: WBRZ

Photo source: WBRZ

It’s always entertaining to watch political spin on fundraising numbers. But the funny thing about numbers; they don’t lie. Here’s a breakdown of the four gubernatorial candidates.

  • David Vitter raised $1.1 million this quarter and has $4.2 million cash on hand.
  • John Bel Edwards raised $230,000 this quarter and has $894,000 cash on hand.
  • Jay Dardenne raised $518,974.80 this quarter and has $1.8 million cash on hand.
  • Scott Angelle raised $622,000 this quarter and has $1.2 million cash on hand.

Edwards continues to lag in fundraising. Yesterday New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu announced he was not running for Governor, which may help Edwards’ weak fundraising.

Angelle’s numbers would be respectable, except he’s spent like a liberal Democrat. He spent more than $800,000 this quarter – burning through more than he spent.

Dardenne continues to lag behind in fundraising and in polls. He’s currently in third in fundraising behind Vitter and Angelle, and third in polls behind Vitter and Edwards.

The x-factor in the Governor’s race is that the Fund For Louisiana’s Future (FFLF), a pro-David Vitter Super PAC, raised $700K this quarter, more than each of Vitter’s competitors, and has $3.5 million cash on hand. The FFLF has more to spend that the other two Republicans in the race, Angelle and Dardenne, combined.  

And if you combine Vitter’s earning with the FFLF – they have combined $7.7 million cash on hand.

It's hard to deny these numbers.  Vitter decidedly has the lead in the money game at this point in the Louisiana Governor's race.

2015 OIL & GAS INDUSTRY DAY AT THE LOUISIANA STATE CAPITAL

Per the Grow Louisiana Coalition website, the upcoming industry day is on May 4th:

Monday, May 4th
Noon
Pentagon Barracks
River Road, Baton Rouge, LA 70801

"For over 100 years, energy companies have created the best jobs in our stand and led the way in environmental stewardship. We must work to keep it that way. Louisiana needs leaders who will step up to protect our jobs and our quality of life."

Posted on April 27, 2015 and filed under Oil and Gas, Louisiana.

PAYCHECK PROTECTION, H.B. 418, TO BE HEARD IN COMMITTEE

On 4/30, H.B. 418 the Paycheck Protection bill being sponsored by Stuart Bishop (R-Lafayette), will be heard in committee in the Louisiana Legislature.  Proponents of this bill say that the state should not be involved in the business of collecting union dues.  As of now, the state does not collect any money for any other organization from the paychecks of Louisiana's state public employees.  This bill would require unions to collect their own dues and not depend on the State of Louisiana.

A recent opinion piece in The Advocate highlights exactly why the state should not be in the collections business.

Americans For Prosperity-Louisiana is pushing for the committee to support this bill and have asked for Louisiana voters to email committee members to support this bill. 

The committee members that will be hearing this bill are as follows:

  • Stuart Bishop bishops@legis.la.gov 337-981-7409
  • Chris Broadwater broadwaterc@legis.la.gov 985-543-4900
  • Kenny Cox coxk@legis.la.gov 855-844-8583
  • Mickey Guillory larep041@legis.la.gov 337-457-1094
  • Lance Harris harrisl@legis.la.gov 318-767-6095
  • Valarie Hodges hodgesv@legis.la.gov 225-791-2199
  • Marcus Hunter hunterm@legis.la.gov 318-362-440
  • Chuck Kleckley larep036@legis.la.gov 337-475-3016
  • Walt Leger legerw@legis.la.gov 504-556-9970
  • Blake Miguez miguez@legis.la.gov 337-937-8827
  • Vincent Pierre pierrev@legis.la.gov 337-262-2300
  • Jerome Richard richardj@legis.la.gov 985-447-0999
  • Clay Schexnayder schexnayderc@legis.la.gov 225-473-6016
  • Alan Seabaugh seabaugh@legis.la.gov 318-676-7990
  • Patricia Smith smithp@legis.la.gov 225-342-7106
  • Julie Stokes stokesj@legis.la.gov 504-468-8603
  • Lenar Whitney whitneyl@legis.la.gov 985-858-2970
  • Alfred Williams williamsa@legis.la.gov 225-382-3243

The citizens of Louisiana should support this bill's passage.

Posted on April 27, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

VITTER'S "TOGETHER, LOUISIANA STRONG" EDUCATION PLAN

The following announcement was sent from David Vitter's campaign this morning concerning his plan to improve education for the students in the State of Louisiana.  Vitter has made it a key issue in his campaign, from his amendment that would bar the federal government from pressuring states into implementing the Common Core standards to his new plan he is calling Together, Louisiana Strong.

METAIRIE, LA. – David Vitter (R-LA) today released his proposals to improve education in a new chapter of his plan, “Together, Louisiana Strong: Our blueprint for building a brighter future.” Chapter 3 is called “Dramatically Improving Education for All Our Children.”

 

Read Vitter’s education plan here
 

“We’ll never achieve the Louisiana we all want without dramatically improving education for all our children. The budget may be our most immediate crisis. But education is our biggest, most important one long-term,” Vitter said. “That’s why I will lead a serious, sustained effort to build true excellence in education. And that begins with demanding local versus federal control and empowering the most important leaders on the front line—parents and teachers.

In Chapter 3 of Together, Louisiana Strong, Vitter details how to get Louisiana out of Common Core, support school choice, and put more state dollars in the classroom instead of spending it on administrative costs. Chapter 3 also highlights the Vitter Record, like how he has authored leading legislation to prohibit the federal government from using Race to the Top grants, No Child Left Behind waivers, or any other tools to mandate, coerce, or bribe states into adopting Common Core, and preserve past grants and waivers while invalidating the strings attached.

“David actually passed legislation that says the feds must not coerce or bribe states into adopting Common Core,” said Sandra Baily-Simmons, Tangipahoa Parish School Board Member.

Vitter’s plan is focused on facing Louisiana’s enormous challenges head on—with strong leadership and real solutions— and taking advantage of historic opportunities and make great gains.

 See the first three chapters of Together, Louisiana Strong here.
 

In addition to “Dramatically Improving Education for All Our Children,” Vitter has already released the first two chapters of the plan.

Vitter has compiled his plan by meeting with Louisianians of all walks of life and by listening to their ideas for building a brighter future. Vitter has held 380 Town Hall Meetings and 203 Telephone Town Halls. As a candidate for Governor, Vitter has held 11 (12th scheduled for this Tuesday) Leadership Forums on the key challenges we face as a state specifically to develop this blueprint, with dozens of informal meetings and conference calls in addition.

Vitter will be releasing additional chapters as they’re added in the next several weeks.

Posted on April 24, 2015 and filed under David Vitter, Louisiana, Education.

ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF "CORRUPT BUDDY CALDWELL"

Source: Flickr

Source: Flickr

In a revolving door of corruption and mismanagement of taxpayer money, the ethically challenged Louisiana Attorney General, Buddy Caldwell, has stepped into another political dog pile.  Past questions have been raised concerning the ties to Caldwell, political contributions and the use of consultants in the AG's office.  Now, more information has been made available that highlight how much money is being paid to consultants that are working for Caldwell, specifically on the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that occurred over 5 years ago.

A chart on the Louisiana Record website highlights the gross mismanagement of taxpayer money paid to these consultants and the subsequent political contributions to Caldwell.  Deepwater Horizon billings total nearly $26 million dollars and subsequent political contributions to Caldwell from the attorneys involved in the billings total over $186 million dollars.

Photo source: Louisiana Record

Photo source: Louisiana Record

Posted on April 24, 2015 and filed under Louisiana, Oil and Gas.

DEEPWATER HORIZON'S EFFECTS STILL BEING FELT

Photo source: thenextweb.com

Photo source: thenextweb.com

More than 5 years after the Deepwater Horizon disaster and subsequent environmental catastrophe that transpired, many industries associated with the Gulf of Mexico are making a comeback.  However, there is still one Gulf dependent industry that is still reeling from the effects of this incident today.

Read more: Five Years Later One Local Industry Still Feels Effects of Deep Water Horizon Spill

Posted on April 24, 2015 and filed under Oil and Gas, Louisiana.

WHEN WE SPEND MONEY ON THINGS IN LOUISIANA OTHER THAN WHERE IT'S NEEDED, WE GET.......

This.  Here's a story from KATC News out of Lafayette of a school in St. Landry Parish that is in such deplorable conditions due to insect and mold / mildew damage that it has to be abandoned and temporary structures brought in to house young students and teachers at Palmetto Elementary.  Yet, we have the resources to spend taxpayer money on projects and properties that are missing.

With the State of Louisiana in financial dire straits, will this something that will be the norm for our children?

Read more: Palmetto Elementary sinking; termites cause emergency changes

Posted on April 23, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

ANOTHER INSTALLMENT OF "HOW CROOKED IS BUDDY CALDWELL?"

Source: KPEL 96.5

Source: KPEL 96.5

It seems that Buddy Caldwell cannot help but wallow in the swill of dishonest politics.  On the heels of his use of outside law firms that have financial ties to his office, he has been caught trying to file a word-for-word bill that was settled in 2013.  This is also the man that was caught on video serenading the former U.S. Senator from Louisiana, Mary Landrieu, in his best Elvis impersonation.

Caldwell is currently fighting for his political life in an upcoming reelection which pits him against former Congressman Jeff Landry, a Tea-Party favorite and advocate for smaller government.

Read more: Louisiana Attorney General’s Office accused by pharmaceutical giant of attempting to pursue case that was already settled

Posted on April 21, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

RAFAEL CRUZ TO JOIN ROB MANESS FOR EVENT IN SHREVEPORT

Source: The Family Leadership Summit  

Source: The Family Leadership Summit  

Former Senatorial candidate from Louisiana, Rob Maness, has announced an event in Shreveport that will include Rafael Cruz, father of Senator and presidential candidate Ted Cruz. Proceeds from the event are to support Maness' PAC, GatorPac.   

Read more:  Col. Rob Maness (ret.) & Rev. Rafael Cruz!

Posted on April 20, 2015 and filed under Louisiana, Religion.

SEN. DAVID VITTER RELEASES FUNDRAISING NUMBERS FOR HIS CAMPAIGN FOR GOVERNOR

Photo - NOLA.com

Photo - NOLA.com

Today, U.S. Senator David Vitter's campaign will announce that he has raised more than $5.2 million for his campaign to be Louisiana’s Governor.  Vitter raised more than $1.1 million this quarter and has $4.2 million cash on hand for his campaign to replace the outgoing Bobby Jindal.

Additionally, the Fund for Louisiana’s Future, a political action committee supporting Vitter, announced today that it raised more than $680,000 from January 1st to April 17th of this year.  FFLF has raised more than $4.6 million to date.  Two-thirds of the $4.6 million has been raised by in-state contributions. 

With these two separate accounts / organizations, a total of $9.8 million has been raised. 

Posted on April 20, 2015 and filed under David Vitter, Louisiana.

A STORY OF TRAGEDY; GLENN FORD - WRONGFULLY CONVICTED MAN THAT WAS ON LOUISIANA'S DEATH ROW

Courtesy of the Shreveport Times

Courtesy of the Shreveport Times

For a man that has served nearly 30 years for a crime that he didn't commit, Glenn Ford sounds awfully at peace and shows no signs of anger that most would have.  He was wrongfully convicted, sent to Louisiana's death row for a murder in that happened in 1984 and was recently released from Angola.  His story of leaving prison, battling terminal cancer and the State of Louisiana who refuses to compensate him for his time incarcerated and meeting the prosecutor who placed him in prison is both inspiring and saddening.

Read more: Exonerated Death Row Inmate Meets the Former Prosecutor Who Put Him There

Posted on April 20, 2015 and filed under Louisiana.

PORTRAITS OF DEEPWATER HORIZON DECEASED; 5 YEARS LATER

Courtesy of NOLA.com

Courtesy of NOLA.com

Today marks the 5th anniversary of one of the biggest natural disaster in US history, the Deepwater Horizon oil spill that was caused by an explosion on the Transocean drilling rig working for BP.  For the family members of those that were killed on that day, it is another reminder of a year that has passed since the loss of their loved ones.  Here is a piece on those that were taken too soon.

Read more: Remembering the victims, 5 years after the Deepwater Horizon Disaster and BP oil spill

Posted on April 20, 2015 and filed under Louisiana, Oil and Gas.