What Exactly Is Going on With Redistricting in Baton Rouge?

There is more intrigue taking place in Baton Rouge regarding redistricting legislation over the past several days. The Advocate put out this piece yesterday concerning what appears to be collusion in the process to create a seat for a fellow lawmaker by Senator Page Cortez:

Senate President Page Cortez and state Rep. Stuart Bishop are facing accusations that they engineered a last-minute change to remap Senate boundaries in Acadiana to create a potentially winnable Senate seat for Bishop.

Under a Cortez amendment approved by the Senate on Monday, Bishop would reside in the new Senate District 22, which will have an open seat in next year’s legislative elections because the current senator, Fred Mills, is facing term limits and cannot run.

Most of the new Senate District 22 would continue to include St. Martin and Iberia parishes, which Mills has represented, but 25% of the district would contain a portion of Lafayette Parish, including the piece in south Lafayette where Bishop resides.

Until Cortez’s change on Monday, Bishop’s home was going to be in Senate District 21, which Cortez represents. He is term-limited, and Rep. Jean-Paul Coussan, who is close to both Cortez and Bishop, is eyeing that seat. Putting Bishop in the new Senate District 22 could allow Bishop to run for the Senate without pitting him against Coussan.

Read more: Is Senate President Page Cortez trying to create a seat for lawmaker friend? Both deny it.

Yesterday, Bishop went on Carol Ross’ program, The Ross Report, to personally deny the accusations and to give his take on the redistricting process taking place in Baton Rouge. Audio of that program can be found below:

The redistricting session is scheduled to finish up this weekend. Stay tuned for what is sure to be more shenanigans.

Rep. Barry Ivey puts fellow Louisiana lawmakers on blast

Rep. Barry Ivey, R-Central, had choice words for some of his colleagues in the Louisiana House of Representatives after they voted to table his bill that would have added another minority district to the Louisiana Supreme Court. (Video courtesy of the Louisiana Legislature)

Source: Louisiana Illuminator

Carol Ross and Troy Hebert on District 22 Redistricting

Carol Ross discusses redistricting of Louisiana Senate District 22 with former Sen. Troy Hebert, Jeanerette.

Moon Griffon and Troy Hebert on District 22 Redistricting

Former State Senator Troy Hebert, Jeanerette, sits down with Moon Griffon on his radio program regarding the redistricting plans for District 22.

The Plan to Get Page Cortez Elected Lt. Governor

The following piece is in regards to the redistricting plan for Louisiana District 22, which passed the full Senate on 2/14:

Sen. Page Cortez, currently representing District 23, has removed the Youngsville area that was previously included in District 22 when he first filed his bill. This was done at the expense of part of the heart of Lafayette, which includes Lafayette Regional Airport, Women and Children’s Hospital, Comeaux High School and areas to the South of River Ranch. The reason behind this move? Stuart Bishop lives in that area.

As a result, Cortez can run for Lt. Governor, which allows Bishop to drop out that same race and frees Bishop to run for this Senate seat that Cortez personally carved out for him.

The flipside of this scheme is at the expense of the heart of the economic engines in Lafayette Parish. Our Lady of Lourdes, Women’s and Children’s Hospital, Lafayette Regional and even Stuller Settings have been sacrificed to appease this new district layout.

To make matters even worse, Senator Fred Mills, which currently represents District 22 in the Senate, never spoke up when the bill was being debated and even voted for it. The duly named “Wal-Mart Greeter”, dubbed by Moon Griffon, did nothing to fight for Iberia/St. Martin Parishes.

Also, Bret Allain, current term-limited Senator for District 21, was able to take 25% of Iberia Parish’s population for his chosen successor, his own son.

With all of the backroom deals, they have effectively tried to kill any future representation by Iberia/St. Martin, which was represented for years by Sen. Troy Hebert, who they have drawn out of this new district, and to prevent Rep. Blake Miguez from being elected to the upper chamber.

However, there is talk of local Iberia Parish businessman Mark Romero running for this newly created Senate district, throwing a wrench into all of these plans.

The people being represented by the current Senate District 22 should be duly outraged by typical Louisiana politics.

Louisiana Senate Candidate Literally Torches a Confederate Flag in New Campaign Ad

“Our system isn’t broken — it’s designed to do what it’s doing: produce measurable inequity,” - Gary Chambers Jr.

Kennedy: Biden's inflation waterboarding Louisianians

Grow Louisiana Coalition: Louisiana's Energy Industry is Vital to our Coastal Restoration Efforts

Photo source: Grow Louisiana Coalition

February 2 was World Wetlands Day and saving our coastline is of the utmost importance to Louisiana's energy industry. This month, the Louisiana Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority unveiled its draft 2023 annual plan, which announced more than $172.5 million in projects funded by the oil and gas industry through the Gulf of Mexico Energy Security Act (GOMESA).

Read more: Louisiana Commits Nearly $1.3B to Coastal Restoration, Protection Projects

Republicans Stand For the Sanctity of Life

This weekend, Chairman Louis Gurvich and the Republican Party of Louisiana remember the lives of the unborn we have lost and renew our commitment to fighting for pro-life policies. 

We are extremely proud that Louisiana consistently ranks in the top 5 most pro-life states year after year. The Republican Party of Louisiana will continue to stand for the sanctity of life, speak up for the unborn, and help vulnerable mothers.

Let us not forget the damage the Democrats have done in recent history:

• Embraced radical pro-abortion policies contrary to science

• Used taxpayer dollars to fund late-term abortion

• Democrats have refused to back any limitations on abortion, including up to the moment of birth and after

• Democrats even blocked legislation banning infanticide

• Abandoned decades of bipartisan consensus by not including the Hyde Amendment , which prevents taxpayer dollars from funding abortion, in their tax-and-spend “Build Back Broke” agenda

We encourage all willing to participate to make your voice heard at a Louisiana "Together for Life" march near you this Saturday and Sunday:

• Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022: Life March Southwest, Lake Charles

• Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022: Life March South, Baton Rouge

• Saturday, Jan. 22, 2022: Life March Northwest, Shreveport-Bossier

• Sunday, Jan. 23, 2022: Life March Northeast, West Monroe-Monroe

• Saturday, Feb. 5, 2022: Life March Cenla, Pineville-Alexandria

BATON ROUGE ATTORNEY TO BE HONORED AT INAUGURAL WOMEN’S PUBLIC LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

January 19, 2022 (Baton Rouge, LA) – In anticipation of the upcoming Inaugural Women’s Public Leadership Summit hosted by our affiliate, Women’s Public Leadership Network, Louisiana Women Lead would like to recognize Robert L. Rieger, Jr, who will be receiving the 2022 WPLN Daniel Anthony Award at the February meeting.

The Daniel Anthony Award is named for Susan B. Anthony’s father and ardent supporter of her efforts and is meant to celebrate a man who has given critical support to a female public leader or leaders. By accepting, Rieger serves as an example to others on how to be an effective supporter of women’s leadership and what is achievable with the support of others. Rieger is a Partner at law firm Adams and Reese LLP in Baton Rouge. He advises clients in government relations and related litigation matters in Louisiana and Washington, D.C.

“Rob has gone above and beyond in his support for Louisiana Women Lead,” Renee Amar, Executive Director of Louisiana Women Lead. “He’s been a stalwart of our training program, both in person and virtually; he’s offered advice when we need it and unwavering support of the women who run this organization. But not just in this space but also professionally in the political world. He supports and encourages women to get engaged in politics and leadership. He understands the importance of our movement for the women of today and future generations to come.”

Through his efforts, Louisiana Women Lead was able to hit the ground running. The first Lead fundraiser and the legislative proclamation naming June 3rd as Women in Public Office Day with an event held to commemorate the resolution would not have been possible without his guidance and unwavering support. Lead applauds Rieger’s recognition from WPLN and looks forward to honoring him at the summit in New Orleans, beginning February 4th and ending on the 5th. If you are interested in attending the summit, purchase tickets at Lead’s website: http://www.louisianawomenlead.org.

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.

Moon Griffon Calls out Eddie Rispone

In calling Rispone out, it's clear that Moon has not forgiven him for his campaign's treatment of former U.S. Congressman Ralph Abraham in the last governor's race.

"The man who ruined the governor's race slaughtered Ralph Abraham with lies just like he is slaughtering the Republican Party!" exclaimed Griffon. "He would be nothing without the money he gives away. He owns people with the money he gives away.

Read more: Moon Griffon: Is Eddie Rispone Trying to Help the Republican Party or Crush It?

Read More: Moon Griffon: Is Eddie Rispone Trying to Help GOP or Crush It?

U.S. Senate candidate from Louisiana smokes marijuana in campaign ad

Photo source: YouTube

Gary Chambers, a Democrat running for the U.S. Senate from Louisiana, unveiled a new ad Tuesday in which he is shown smoking marijuana.

In the spot, Chambers, who is seeking to unseat Sen. John Neely Kennedy (R-La.), is shown seated in an open field, lighting up a rolled blunt of marijuana and taking multiple puffs. In a voice-over, he rattles off statistics about the drug, including that Black people are four times as likely as White people to be arrested for its use.

Read more: U.S. Senate candidate from Louisiana smokes marijuana in campaign ad

LOGA Announces New Communications Director

Photo source: LOGA

BATON ROUGE, LA (Jan 3, 2022) — Today, the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association announced the hire of Tanner Watson to fill the role of Communications Director.

Tanner will be handling all communications and media relations, including LOGA’s daily news, weekly wrap, drilling reports, industry reports as well as all social media duties.

A native of Mandeville, Louisiana, Tanner cut his teeth in the oil and gas industry working as a roustabout on an offshore drilling platform at the age of 18. He went on to graduate with a degree in Communications from the University of Southern Mississippi in 2014. Before LOGA, Tanner worked in the office of U.S. Senator John Kennedy and also brings extensive campaign experience from a U.S. Senate race in Mississippi. Prior to that, he was a radio personality doing morning drive time from 6-10 in Laurel, Mississippi.

Tanner and his wife, Olivia live in Baton Rouge. He can be reached at (985) 630-5834 or at tanner@loga.la.

LOUISIANA WOMEN LEAD REFLECTS ON 2021, LOOKS AHEAD TO 2022

Photo source: Louisiana Women Lead

December 22, 2021 (Baton Rouge, LA) – This year, Louisiana Women Lead made great strides in establishing our presence as a resource to Louisiana women interested in higher office. We held in-person as well as online training sessions, gathering dozens of women from across the state who are interested in being our future leaders. Additionally, we introduced a series of webinars featuring movers and shakers in the political field who provided insights on how to successfully run for office.

We are so grateful for all the women who made 2021 such an inspiring year. We are blessed to have such strong female leadership in the legislature who are generous with their time and willing to help shape the next generation of women leaders in our state.  With this in mind, we look forward to 2022 and all the opportunities in store for women in Louisiana.

One immediate opportunity is the Women’s Public Leadership Network Inaugural Summit being held in New Orleans on February 4 – 5. This summit is designed for women from across the country who are engaging at any stage of the political process. Attendees will select one of three training tracks to best meet their needs, the tracks include current or future candidates, current elected or appointed officeholders, and women and others working to grow and sustain the network. This will be a weekend full of networking and campaign-building opportunities that we greatly encourage anyone interested in the political field to participate in. Registration can be found at our website: https://www.louisianawomenlead.org/

The summit is just one of what we know to be many exciting experiences we will be looking forward to in 2022, including more training sessions and more activities to bring women together to plan for the future of Louisiana. We are humbled by the support we have received and hope to return that support in kind to all of the individuals who look to us as a guide and a resource. Until then, we wish everyone happy holidays!

Renee Amar, Founder and Executive Director, 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.

Landry: Oil and Gas Lease Sale Could Deliver $100M to Louisiana

“Lease sales generate millions and millions of dollars dedicated to environmental protection projects,” Landry said in a news release.

Landry led a coalition of 13 states that sued the administration after President Joe Biden suspended new leases for oil-and-gas drilling and fracking on federal lands and waters upon taking office in January.

A federal judge sided with Landry in June, allowing lease sales to continue while the issue remains in litigation.

Read more: Landry: Oil and Gas Lease Sale Could Deliver $100M to Louisiana

LOGA Responds to BOEM Lease Sale 257 This Wednesday

BATON ROUGE, LA (November 15, 2021) – On Wednesday, November 17th, the Bureau of Ocean Energy Management (BOEM) will hold Lease Sale 257, the first federal land leasing event of the year.

In the early days of his presidency, President Biden signed an executive order that banned new federal leasing permits for drilling. On June 15th, after months of legal battles led by Louisiana Attorney General Jeff Landry, U.S. District Judge Terry Doughty granted a preliminary injunction that temporarily reversed the moratorium while litigation remained in progress.

In response to the upcoming lease sale, Louisiana Oil & Gas Association President Mike Moncla released a statement earlier this afternoon:

"On behalf of the Louisiana Oil & Gas Association, I want to thank Attorney General Jeff Landry for his strong, capable leadership that helped make this lease sale possible.

While the oil and gas industry focuses on creating jobs and fostering economic investment in Louisiana, President Biden and the Democrats continue to promote harmful regulations that hurt American families.

This lease sale is an important victory, not only for the 250,000+ oil and gas workers in the state but for every American who is facing high energy costs as a result of our diminished oil and gas supply.

We look forward to working with Attorney General Landry as we continue our opposition to the Biden administration’s failed energy policies that undermine our nation's recovery from the COVID-19 pandemic.”

BOEM will begin publicly reading the lease bids at 9:00 AM at their office in New Orleans.

At the same time, Attorney General Landry will be holding a press conference outside of the BOEM building to discuss the lease sale and the ongoing litigation over the moratorium.

LAFOURCHE PARISH DECLINES TO SIGN FREEPORT MCMORAN SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

Photo source: Wikipedia

“As you probably know Lafourche Parish has been asked for the last two years to sign onto the Freeport Settlement Agreement,” Chaisson wrote to Gov. John Bel Edwards after a Tuesday evening council meeting. “The Lafourche Parish Council has held several Executive Sessions during their regular meetings to discuss the settlement and has twice placed a resolution on their agenda to approve the agreement. At both meetings the resolution did not garner enough support and was eventually removed from the Council’s agenda.

“At this point I am unsure if the item will ever get the required votes to be able to pass therefore Lafourche Parish will not be signing on to the Freeport Settlement,” Chaisson said.

Read more: LAFOURCHE PARISH DECLINES TO SIGN FREEPORT MCMORAN SETTLEMENT AGREEMENT

What Redistricting Means to Iberia and St. Martin Parishes

The following was provided to Cajun Conservatism by former State Senator Troy Hebert, District 22, consisting of Iberia and St. Martin Parishes:

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Photo source: Wikipedia

HEADS UP!!! IBERIA-ST. MARTIN

The only thing dark politics is afraid of is light. So here is a little sunshine!

WHAT?

The powers that be have a plan to reapportion State Senate District 22 that will diminish our voting strength in Iberia and St. Martin Parishes and move the power base to Lafayette Parish. For the last fifty plus years the Senator has come from either Iberia or St. Martin Parish. Under this new district the Senator will either come from Lafayette Parish or be beholden to Lafayette Parish.

HOW?

This plan will carve out and dissect large sections of voters in Iberia/St. Martin and give them to other Senators from surrounding areas. They will replace them with voters from Lafayette parish, in particular Broussard and Youngsville, thereby diluting our voting strength tremendously. For decades, 95% of Senate District 22 was Iberia/ St. Martin Parishes only. This guaranteed us our own Senator.

WHY?

This secret plan has been developed to favor a certain senate candidate that will be more favorable to Lafayette Parish than other candidates who’s allegiance is only to Iberia/ St. Martin. They will hide behind and say that the 2020 population has shifted. Yet, the fact is the population in Iberia(70k) and St. Martin (53k) has just the right amount of people to support a senate district which needs to be around 120k people.

WHEN?

The legislature will go into special session in January to finalize the redistricting of the state for the next ten years according to the 2020 Census. However, before they do, the house and senate committees in charge of reapportionment are holding meetings across the state to get public input. The one for our area will be held on October 26th in Lafayette at the University of Louisiana Atchafalaya Ballroom from 5:30-8:30 pm. If you would like Iberia/St. Martin to keep it’s state senator, then you should attend this meeting or contact our local Legislative delegation and voice your objections to splitting up our state senate seat.

Former State Senator Troy Hebert

More of JBE Screwing over Louisiana

Louisiana industries could be charged major new taxes or fees based on their annual emissions of greenhouse gases, and be required to convince a panel of state agencies that they will comply with new emission reductions before getting permits for new or expanded facilities.

Those are two of the major proposals included in a list of ways the state hopes to achieve “industrial decarbonization” — the removal of carbon dioxide and gases like methane and nitrogen oxide from emissions by heavy industry — as part of Gov. John Bel Edwards’ plan to reach “net zero” state carbon emissions by 2050.

Read more: Industrial 'decarbonization' will require putting a price on carbon emissions, combined with mandatory carbon reductions

Look What Y'all Governor is Doing Now............

Tell me you’re taking a crap on the oil and gas industry without telling me you’re taking a crap on the oil and gas industry.