BATON ROUGE- Louisiana Superintendent of Education Cade Brumley issued new guidance last week which allows school districts to notify parents that their child has been in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19. His guidance lets parents decide whether to send their children back to school or not. Current guidelines require students to quarantine after being in close contact with someone who has tested positive for Covid-19.
The LAGOP commends Superintendent Brumley for providing parents with a local option to determine their children's education. Louisiana has lived under one-man rule by Governor Edwards for the past nineteen months, and it is nineteen months past due that parents be included in the conversation.
Article 101 of the Louisiana Constitution clearly provides that "Parents have the paramount right to raise their children in accordance with their own values and traditions; that the parents should make the decisions."
"What we are trying to do is employ a common sense approach that returns control to the local community and allows them to make decisions in the best interest of their kids," Brumley said.
Louisiana is now among states with the lowest per capita rate of new cases, according to data from the Center for Disease Control. Governor Edwards and President Biden's policy guidelines are damaging our children's education and harming their future. The LAGOP fully supports Superintendent Brumley in allowing this local option.
Posts filed under Louisiana
LOGA Releases Statement on Lease Sale Announcement
BATON ROUGE, LA (September 30th, 2021) – In compliance with the June 15th U.S. District Court ruling, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) has announced they will hold Lease Sale 257 on Wednesday, November 17th, 2021. The Biden administration had previously banned new federal leasing for drilling early in his presidency and is currently engaged in legal proceedings to resume the moratorium.
In response to this announcement, Louisiana Oil & Gas President Mike Moncla released a statement earlier this afternoon:
"The Louisiana Oil & Gas Association supports the decision by the Department of the Interior to resume federal leasing for drilling. Gulf of Mexico energy production provides hundreds of thousands of jobs for Louisiana and other Gulf economies, not to mention millions of dollars of investment for coastal restoration.
Since Day One in office, the White House energy policy has hurt the American economy and has forced the nation at the mercy of OPEC+ and other foreign institutions, compromising both environmental sustainability and our national security.
While this lease sale announcement is a step in the right direction, we must acknowledge the damage President Biden and the rest of the Washington Democratic establishment is doing to the energy sector with its misguided policies that ultimately hurt the needs of the American people.
The oil and gas industry of Louisiana stands ready to meet the demands of a post-COVID society and provide an affordable, reliable, and abundant source of energy to fuel this nation's economic resurgence.
We call on President Biden and all public officials to work with the industry to bring the United States back to energy independence and create reasonable standards that do not comprise our country's prosperity."
AG Landry calls on Gov. Edwards, President Biden, for emergency housing in coastal parishes
Photo source: Landry for Louisiana
“As the leader of the Governor’s Office of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness,” General Landry wrote. “I urge you to make this an immediate priority. I also urge you to put immediate pressure on the White House and FEMA to get temporary housing units into these impacted Parishes now, rather than weeks from now.”
Read more: AG Landry calls on Gov. Edwards, President Biden, for emergency housing in coastal parishes
GRAVES: Immediate Assistance Needed for Fuel Shortages
Congressman Garrett Graves issued the below letter to the Biden administration regarding fuel shortages in Louisiana, post Hurricane Ida:
AG LANDRY: The People of Louisiana Are Resilient!!!!
Hurricane Ida was brutally destructive. From Galliano to Bogalusa, LaPlace to Hammond, and everywhere in between - our neighbors have been devastated. Many are in need of shelter, water, power, and more - especially prayers.
My office and I have begun working with local officials to help how we can. This will be a long process. It is my hope that the federal government will assist our hurricane victims - those from Ida this week and Laura from last year as well.
I just got back from down the bayou. Lafourche and Terrebonne officials are working hard to search for those in need and to clear the roads.
For those who want to return from evacuation or those who want to help their loved ones there, now is NOT the time to go. Monitor local media and social media for the green light.
The people of Louisiana are resilient; we always have been. Together, we will get through this.
Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin Decides Not to Pursue Emergency Elections Plan
BATON ROUGE, La.— The office of the Louisiana Secretary of State announced today that it will not pursue another Emergency Elections Plan for the October 9, 2021 and November 13, 2021 elections.
“In reviewing the upcoming election cycle it became clear that one of the most important factors in reaching this decision was the widespread availability of vaccines and Louisiana’s overall vaccination rate, which are both increasing daily. As such, we have no intent to issue an Emergency Elections Plan (EEP) at this time,” said Secretary Ardoin. “We have administered seven different election days since the start of COVID, including the 2020 Presidential election. Last November, 70% of all registered voters—more than 2.1 million Louisianians— made their voices heard through early voting, absentee voting, or election day voting. Over 1.9 million of those voters chose to vote in-person, a time-honored tradition in Louisiana.”
Election Worker Safety - Because of our extensive experience with past elections since the beginning of the pandemic, we are fully equipped with the appropriate PPE and sanitation standards for our election workers. These experiences have resulted in well-established protocols to administer the October and November elections, including social distancing and sanitizing voting equipment.
Health Preparations - The Louisiana Secretary of State’s office has conducted elections large and small throughout the entirety of COVID-19 and even amidst the lockdown period. Given the lessons learned in the seven elections we’ve conducted since the onset of COVID in Louisiana, we believe that we have taken appropriate steps to effectively and safely conduct these elections based on the projected turnout.
Facility Occupancy Limits - While the Governor has reinstated mask requirements, currently there are no statewide mandated occupancy limits in place in Louisiana which would impact capacity at voting precincts or early voting centers.
Early Voting - We will not be expanding early voting, as our local election administration partners, the parish Clerks and Registrars of Voters have experienced difficulty retaining commissioners and staff as a result of extended hours and days. Also, adding additional days retroactively impacts the election calendar by shortening the time between elections and brings significant costs to the process.
Absentee Voting - Our records reflect that the November 2020 presidential election, which featured a 70% overall turnout, only 3% of absentee voters used this exception. As a percentage of the total vote, the COVID exception represented only 3/10 of 1% of the voting population. The upcoming elections are projected to have a significantly smaller turnout, inclusive of the competitive municipal elections in Orleans Parish as a portion of the statewide turnout.
Legislative Intent - The option to enact Emergency Election Plans were always designed to be a temporary cure for extraordinary, but short-term obstacles. During the recently ended Legislative Session, the Louisiana Legislature did not see fit to take up additional measures or offer changes to our authority relative to absentee voting or the Emergency Elections Plan process.
Orleans Parish Elections - We are heartened by the statistics indicating that by the end of this week, four out of five adults in Orleans Parish will have received at least one vaccine dose.
Dan Bongino Welcomes "The Voice of Louisiana" as They Talk Bill Cassidy, RINO Republicans
Moon Griffon, "The Voice of Louisiana", was heard across the USA on Wednesday as a guest on Dan Bongino’s show.
LOGA Releases Statement on White House-OPEC Talks
BATON ROUGE, LA (August 11, 2021) – Earlier today, the White House issued a statement urging OPEC+ to increase oil production in order to satisfy the current demand for energy in the United States.
Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla responded publicly to the White House this afternoon:
“Since President Biden took office last January, his administration has made it a top priority to decimate the American oil and gas industry to meet his unrealistic climate goals.
Pushing for an increase in foreign oil consumption hurts states like Louisiana who rely on energy production for job creation and tax revenue.
If the White House truly wants to expedite the post-COVID economic recovery, they should rely on energy companies here in the United States, not foreign entities that seek to exploit other nations to fill their pockets.
We encourage President Biden to work with our domestic industry partners to meet the energy needs of Americans."
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APPLICATIONS OPEN FOR LEAD FALL TRAINING
Photo source: Louisiana Women Lead
Baton Rouge, LA – Louisiana Women Lead (Lead), a non-profit, non-partisan organization whose mission is to train business-minded women to run for office in Louisiana, is inviting center or right-of-center women interested in running for office to apply for its fall training.
Lead’s fall training will take place on Saturday, October 16 from 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. in Monroe. Deadline for applications is Friday, September 10, and accepted trainees will be announced on Monday, September 20. Daycare will be provided for those who may need it.
The Lead Training will equip women with everything needed to know to run for office:
● Campaign Process
● Networks
● Marketing and Media
● Public Speaking
● Fundraising
Space is limited, so interested would-be candidates are encouraged to apply today by visiting www.louisianawomenlead.org and clicking “APPLY NOW.”
“We need women to reach their next goal and to be the next generation of leaders that are desperately needed in Louisiana,” Renee Amar, Executive Director of Louisiana Women Lead said. “Our training will give these up and coming leaders the tools to run a successful campaign and be the change we need.”
“Center and center-right women interested in public office who aren’t sure where to start will learn how to get their campaigns going with our training,” Cheryl Tolbert, LEAD Board Chair added. “The fall training will provide skills, information, networks, and other avenues to harness their interest, ideas, and passion to be leaders in our state and nation.”
The cost for training is $500, scholarships and a payment plan are available.
https://www.louisianawomenlead.org/apply
About Louisiana Women Lead: Louisiana Women Lead was formed in 2020 to engage more center-right women in politics. Lead’s goal is to increase the number of women elected or appointed to leadership positions in Louisiana by breaking down barriers, create a statewide network for support, and provide tools to women so they have a leg up when running for or being appointed to office. For more information, visit http://www.louisianawomenlead.org .
Dr. Scott Gottlieb: COVID Cases Clearly Slowing in Louisiana
Well, look it's certainly getting worse. I think you're going to start to see improvements, particularly in the South. There is evidence that the rate of growth in the cases in the South is starting to decline. I think that this week you may see some of the states that have been the outbreak states start to tip over in terms of showing less cases on a daily basis. The rate of expansion, the epidemic is clearly slowing in states like Florida, Louisiana, Arkansas, Missouri.
Opinion: Americans in Lake Charles, La., are frustrated. We need aid now.
Photo source: City of Lake Charles
As the first anniversary of Hurricane Laura approaches, and after enduring three additional weather disasters, we are still waiting and pleading for an equitable response from Washington. We’ve repeatedly, desperately implored both the Trump and Biden administrations and Congress. Both presidents visited my city, both promised additional aid. We’ve been told help is on the way, but as the days turn into months, we are left feeling that our federal government is willing to ignore a humanitarian crisis in Southwest Louisiana.
Read more: Opinion: Americans in Lake Charles, La., are frustrated. We need aid now.
NEW LAWSUIT: ABORTION INDUSTRY WANTS ABORTION FOR GIRLS “WITHOUT BARRIERS”
The abortion industry has done it again – just last week, they filed a lawsuit against another common-sense pro-life law we passed in Baton Rouge.
This time, they wanted to make sure that minor girls can have abortion “without barriers” and even without parental involvement.
Read more: NEW LAWSUIT: ABORTION INDUSTRY WANTS ABORTION FOR GIRLS “WITHOUT BARRIERS”
Louisiana RINO's Are Called Out on Stinchfield Primetime
4 Louisiana Republican Senators are called out for not backing the veto override of the constitutional carry legislation in the State of Louisiana
House Speaker confident veto of anti-transgender bill will be overturned
Photo source: Louisiana House Member Page
All eyes are on the state capitol as Louisiana lawmakers convene for the first veto session since the state’s new constitution was adopted in 1974. Republican House Speaker Clay Schexnayder said he has no doubts the bill to protect women’s sports from transgender athletes will be overridden in the House.
“I feel comfortable, 100% on the women’s protection act bill,” said Schexnayder.
Read more: House Speaker confident veto of anti-transgender bill will be overturned
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.”
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
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.
VPPJ requests DA dismiss coastal damage lawsuits
"Newly elected District Attorney Don Landry has publicly agreed to take action that aligns with the current Police Jury’s decision regarding the lawsuits," the release says.
That issue will be discussed at a jury meeting tonight at 6 p.m. in the Vermilion Parish Courthouse, where the police jury usually meets.
