LANDRY: American People 1, Ministry of Truth 0

Latest Ruling on Louisiana and Missouri vs. Biden et al.

Despite the breathtaking arrogance of the Biden Administration and his cadre of federal bureaucrats, the Louisiana Department of Justice has won an historic injunction against them: effectively stopping federal agencies and White House officials from colluding with social media companies to censor your protected speech. As of today, the Ministry of Truth is officially on notice. 

The evidence of illegal censorship in this case is both shocking and overwhelming. In fact, as Judge Terry Doughty stated in his ruling, “if the allegations made by Plaintiffs are true, the present case arguably involves the most massive attack against free speech in United States’ history.” 

Our evidence shows systematic political bias across this federal “Censorship Enterprise,” which overwhelmingly targeted conservative political speech, especially speech criticizing the Biden Administration and its policies. For example, senior federal officials ultimately decided what Americans could and could not say on platforms including Facebook, Twitter, YouTube, and others regarding COVID-19, elections, government officials, and more. Such actions made these federal officials self-appointed arbiters of truth for all Americans under the guise of fighting “misinformation” and “disinformation.”

This was done, as claimed by senior national-security official Jen Easterly, the director of CISA, to protect America’s “cognitive infrastructure,” because it was “dangerous” to let Americans “pick their own facts.” In order to control this process, officials from the White House on down pressured, threatened, and berated social media platforms to stifle the speech of their political opponents, as well as everyday Americans on issues related to the efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines and vaccine injuries, the now-widely accepted lab leak theory, and even the Hunter Biden laptop story. 

Our evidence also demonstrates that the FBI pressured social media platforms to perpetrate “account takedowns” of hundreds of American social media users on a monthly basis, as well as collaborated with CISA in acts of trickery and deception to further induce censorship by social media companies. The U.S. State Department also collaborated with CISA and private research groups to establish a mass-surveillance and mass-censorship program across all major social media platforms — but that stops now. 

Today’s historic ruling by the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Louisiana is meant to stop this unconstitutional censorship in its tracks. As Judge Doughty observed, “the question does not concern whether speech is conservative, moderate, liberal, progressive, or somewhere in-between. What matters is that Americans, despite their views, will not be censored or suppressed by the Government.” That is why we look forward to litigating this very important case to conclusion on behalf of all Louisianans and Americans injured by this shocking abuse of federal power.

Jeff Landry
Louisiana Attorney General

LAGOP: From The Chairman

Several important United States Supreme Court rulings have been handed down over the last several days. As conservatives we ought to take note of these rulings, not only because they affect us personally in many ways, but also because conservatives are guided by the laws and founding principles upon which this country was created. Unlike the progressive left, we are most certainly not guided by neo-Marxist ideology. Thankfully, most of these cases went our way.

This past Monday, the Supreme Court Justices “unfroze” action on the Louisiana congressional redistricting case, and simply lifted the hold which the nation’s highest court had placed on further action by the lower federal courts. This action relates back to the Supreme Court’s June 8th 5-4 decision in Allen v. Milligan, which rejected the Alabama congressional redistricting plan previously approved by its legislature, and required that a second minority congressional district be included in the new plan. 

Many have asked me where all this leaves the Louisiana redistricting plan? Well, the Supreme Court has now sent the case back down to the full U. S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals. While the ruling in the Alabama case is certainly a serious setback for the Louisiana redistricting plan, it does not necessarily mean that our state will be forced to create a second minority congressional district. 

While Alabama and Louisiana share many demographic similarities, their geography is a different matter. It would be more difficult to create a second minority district here than in Alabama, where a large and relatively compact minority population exists in the Birmingham area. Our one minority congressional district (the 2nd) is already strung out along the Mississippi River between New Orleans and Baton Rouge for some considerable distance, and a new minority district will be even more difficult to create without violating all of the other traditional criteria used in American redistricting plans over the last several hundred years. Stay tuned as the situation develops.

On Thursday, the Supreme Court had one of its best days ever as it more strongly reaffirmed in Students for Fair Admissions v. President and Fellows of Harvard College, the principle that using race in college admissions is a practice which is barred under the Equal Protection Clause of the Constitution. Chief Justice John Roberts was quoted in part as follows: “The Harvard and UNC admissions programs cannot be reconciled with the guarantees of the Equal Protection Clause.” That’s about as plain, simple, and forceful as it gets, and the nation can finally begin to close out a disgraceful era spanning several decades of its history, during which the American government sanctioned and even mandated racial discrimination in violation of its bedrock promise of equal treatment.

Also on Thursday, in the case of Groff v. DeJoy, the Supreme Court ruled unanimously in a major case involving freedom of religion, that a postman could not be compelled to continue to work on Sundays, against his religious conviction that Sunday is a day of rest. This case overruled a 1977 case which allowed an employer to deny making allowance for religious accommodations if the employer incurred serious costs by so doing.

In a victory for the doctrine that Congress must clearly delegate its authority before any other branch of government can claim its powers, the U. S. Supreme Court today issued a 6 to 3 ruling along ideological lines striking down the Biden administration’s student loan forgiveness plan in the case of Biden v. Nebraska. The Court found that the statute which the administration had relied upon did not give Biden’s secretary of education the sweeping authority to forgive hundreds of billions of dollars in student loans with the waive of his pen.  Ironically, the Court’s decision cited Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s comments during a press conference in 2021 to the effect that only an act of Congress could forgive the debt. Thanks for the help, Nancy!

Widely touted as a $400 billion dollar debt forgiveness to college graduates which would have to be paid for out of the pockets of average American taxpayers (most of whom were not able to attend college), the true eventual cost would likely have been in excess of a trillion dollars! Had the Court ruled the other way, this would have set an awful precedent for future students to borrow excessively in the belief that such debts would eventually be forgiven. It would also have brought the nation measurably closer to bankruptcy.

In a big win for freedom of speech, the U. S. Supreme Court today ruled in 303 Creative v. Elenis that Colorado could not force Lorie Smith, a graphic designer, to create artwork which violated her religious beliefs. Ms. Smith wished to create wedding websites, but under Colorado law if she did so, she would be forced to create same-sex wedding sites. In the usual 6-3 ideological split, the majority found that the First Amendment prohibited a state from forcing a website designer to create websites with messages and photos with which the designer disagreed. This is a victory for freedom of speech, and no, it is not an anti-gay ruling by the nation’s highest court, as the progressive left would have you believe.

So there you have it. While we await the action of the U. S. 5th Circuit Court of Appeals in the redistricting case, we can take comfort in the knowledge that we have won important victories involving our fundamental rights.

Louis Gurvich, Chairman
Republican Party of Louisiana

Louisiana Family Forum Statement On Edwards' Veto of HB648

Friday, June 30, 2023 (BATON ROUGE) –

Today, John Bel Edwards fulfilled one of the worst promises he has ever made to Louisiana as Governor. Using a veto pen, JBE ignored the life-long threats to children by those who seek to profit from sexualizing minors without consideration of the serious harm and mental anguish that these false medical promises deliver. Governor Edwards has no right to harm a single child, yet he just did!

By issuing a veto of HB648, Governor Edwards has ignored the will of the people as expressed by their elected representatives and embraced a radical agenda that places (aberrant) adult desires over the protection of children.

HB648 by Rep. Gabe Firment protects children from politicized medical procedures. HB648 protects minors from the harms of medical experimentation in the form of puberty blockers, cross-sex hormones, and irreversible surgeries. By enacting this urgently needed policy, Louisiana would have joined 20 other states that have passed similar legislation, which is overwhelmingly supported by a vast majority of Louisiana.

Elected officials have a duty to protect residents’ health and safety. This responsibility is even more essential when the protection of vulnerable children is involved. Children who experience discomfort with their biological sex deserve dignity and respect and need compassionate, effective mental health care. Unfortunately, political activists and profit-driven gender clinics have deceived many into believing that life-altering and sterilizing puberty blockers and surgeries would solve this struggle. Such “treatment” may yield profits for providers, but the data shows it only brings harm and regret to recipients. 

The Louisiana Senate voted 29-10, and the House voted 71-24 in a bi-partisan fashion in favor of HB648. Denominational leaders from around Louisiana implored the Governor to protect children in a recent letter.

Members of the Louisiana Legislature are now faced with the responsibility to ensure what the Governor has failed to do – Protect children and restore the “do no harm” standard of practice over the medical care provided to children.

Gene Mills, President of Louisiana Family Forum, holds that “Failing to override the governor’s veto on HB648, is a dereliction of an elected official’s duty to protect children. A veto override session is not optional, it is obligatory this year, especially now that the health and welfare of children is at stake.“

LFF’s message to the Legislature is:  Protect Louisiana children. Override the Governor’s veto. Ensure that HB648 becomes law.

LOUISIANA FREEDOM CAUCUS: Governor Snubs Good Old Boy Allain With Veto

BATON ROUGE—Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed the signature, legacy legislation of Sen. Bret Allain, who represents Iberia, Lafourche, St. Mary and Terrebonne Parishes. This much-needed corporate franchise tax phase-out plan passed both chambers of the legislature with strong support and would help set Louisiana on a path to prosperity, attracting business and good-paying jobs that are currently moving to our neighboring states all along the Gulf Coast because of our high tax and insurance rates.

Sen. Allain was appointed to serve on the conference committee that stripped money from his own constituents at the behest of Senate President Page Cortez and Speaker Clay Schexnayder who worked hand-in-hand with Governor Edwards to bust the budget spending limit set by the Louisiana Constitution. At their directive, Sen. Allain’s committee punished the constituents of 19 House members who would not vote in lockstep with the Good Old Boy Network to bust the budget spending limit.

The irony here is that Sen. Allain’s kissing the ring of the governor did not save his own project on the very day he had the hubris to condone the punishment of Rep. Beryl Amedée at a luncheon in St. Mary Parish. Rep. Amedée voted against Allain’s conference report that slashed funding for the repair of roads and bridges that have fallen into disrepair, in order to spend millions of your tax dollars on things like dog parks, band uniforms for high schools and colleges, a charity supporting flowers and a cultural museum. It was Sen. Allain who was appointed by Senate President Cortez to serve the Good Old Boys’ interests, which was meant in this instance to punish people like Rep. Amedée because she dared to vote against the wasteful spending.

“Senator Bret Allain’s SB1 was a bit of badly needed tax reform that would have provided a shot in the arm for Louisiana businesses. Once again, John Bel Edwards has proven that he does not care about creating jobs, or assisting the working people of Louisiana. He is, and always has been, a big government liberal. This veto proves it yet again,” said Representative Alan Seabaugh, Chairman of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus. “It is also a slap in the face of Senator Allain who has spent the last eight years rolling over for the governor, supporting his liberal policies, and giving Edwards virtually everything he asked for.”

LMOGA: State, not federal government, should oversee carbon capture permitting

In Louisiana, we’ve always had our own way of doing things. For me, nowhere is that clearer than in the progress and ingenuity of our state’s oil and natural gas industry. Over the last 100 years, we’ve cultivated a thriving energy sector by prioritizing the safety, success and innovation of Louisiana workers and businesses. So, why stop now?

As we look to worldwide market demands and the evolution of energy products, it’s clear that companies and customers are looking for affordable, accessible low-carbon options. Carbon capture and storage is the most trusted solution for Louisiana energy companies to reduce emissions, grow employment and establish themselves as leaders in the world economy. But we cannot, and would not, pursue CCS projects without the required permits and approvals for Class VI injection wells, which are the wells used to inject carbon dioxide into deep rock formations for long-term storage.

However, since the program’s creation in 2010, the federal government’s Environmental Protection Agency has granted only two active Class VI injection well permits for a single project in Illinois. Louisiana has nearly two dozen permit applications pending approval by the EPA. Citing issues like staffing challenges, the agency currently takes six years on average to approve each permit.

To help expedite the process, the EPA can grant primary enforcement authority, also known as primacy, to state agencies to administer Class VI permits in accordance with federal standards. Louisiana’s Department of Natural Resources has the expertise and resources to implement the same strict regulations as the EPA and to promptly review, approve and monitor Class VI permits through primacy. In fact, the state agency already has primacy over the other five classes of injection wells and has effectively and safely managed the permits. By transitioning authority of the Class VI permits to the state level, primacy will allow us to speed up the pace for investments and bring more opportunities to our communities.

As of June 2023, only two other states, Wyoming and North Dakota, have received primacy, while Texas, West Virginia and Arizona are still in the “pre-application phase.” This means that Louisiana can be years ahead of other states to compete for CCS and related investment projects. The Great Plains Institute estimates that we could create an annual average of up to 4,920 project jobs over a 15-year period, and 2,500 ongoing operations jobs, through CCS deployment. These projects could also result in at least $13.7 billion in private investment for the state — but not if they are stuck on the shelf at the EPA.

Through primacy, Louisiana can remove burdensome red tape that is delaying investments and jeopardizing opportunities for our people and our parishes. Our experts at DNR can streamline the permit process while maintaining the highest standards for health, safety and environmental impacts. Louisianans know our geology, our infrastructure, our workforce and our communities better than anyone in D.C. or elsewhere in the country.

By supporting primacy, we’re putting our energy future back in Louisiana’s hands.

Tommy Faucheux is president of the Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association.

Rep. Dodie Horton Statement on Budget Boondoggle

Crooked, lying, power-hungry politicians continue to hold Louisiana back, making us last in the South and last across the country in almost every category. It is long past time to change this, and we all know it in our hearts. Our beloved Louisiana is having the life sucked out of it, causing a population drain of our finest young people to other states. And our politicians keep doing the same thing over and over, expecting a different result. We all know what that means: insanity.

The claim is that the Jimmie Davis Bridge funding was removed from the budget because, along with Raymond Crews and Alan Seabaugh, I voted against a measure to bust the budget spending cap that is in our constitution. Our “leadership,” and I use the term leadership loosely, would not tell us how that money would be spent before that vote took place. They refused to tell us how much over the spending limit they intended to spend. How much of your tax dollars would be one-time projects and how much would be recurring expenditures?

They wouldn’t even tell us if they would give the teachers a pay raise, something Republican members overwhelmingly supported. Conservatives previously offered teacher pay raises in two different alternative budget plans we tried to get our leaders to adopt, but it fell on deaf ears. And, of course, leadership didn’t end up giving that pay raise, just a stipend.

We never got any answers to those and many more questions until they gave us the budget five minutes before we had to vote on it. That’s right we only had five minutes to review hundreds of pages containing more than $50 billion of spending. That’s what our leadership thinks of us and of you. You only deserve five minutes for your representatives to try to read hundreds of pages to decide on the future of your children and our state.

All of this is not just about my vote opposing that un-democratic, budget-busting bill they demanded we vote on to find out what’s in it. They were acting like Nancy Pelosi, something no Republican should ever do. I voted against busting the spending cap, but I voted for the budget, because I wanted to avoid a special session, handing the liberals another bite at the apple to spend even more. We had to trust at the last minute that the bill prioritized important infrastructure projects, but we were sold false promises. Senators Robert Mills and Barrow Peacock, who both voted in favor of busting the spending cap, also voted for the budget. In spite of all of that, they couldn’t keep the project in there either. Reps. Glover, Jenkins, Phelps and Pressly all voted to bust the spending cap and also to pass the budget. They are being “punished,” too.

Louisiana has already signed a contract for the Jimmie Davis Bridge that has a start date. I have full confidence the funding will be restored. The Jimmie Davis Bridge defunding fiasco reveals to our constituents just how far these corrupt politicians will go in an attempt to negatively impact my re-election campaign. I have never ceased to support our infrastructure which is reflected in my voting record.

Right now, these crooked politicians are trying to purge the legislature of conservatives who will fight for a better government, a government that gives true value for the expenditure of your tax dollars. This is their fear because they want the gravy train to continue. They’re addicted to spending your money to buy their own power. It’s time to prioritize our tax dollars on critical infrastructure projects like the Jimmie Davis Bridge that have the largest return on investment for our citizens. We can no longer allow the good ole boys system to just continue to spend your money on helping more of their cronies get elected.

I will stand in their way along with the rest of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus. We conservatives will grow our numbers. We are not going away. God willing, we will get a real Republican governor next year, and this state will have a chance to move forward. I need your help! A new day is coming, Louisiana. Vote conservative and join our fight to fix our beloved state.

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Editors Note: Rep. Dodie Horton represents District 9 (Bossier Parish) in the Louisiana House of Representatives. As a founding member of the Louisiana Freedom Caucus, we are sending this to be used as an op-ed or quotes may be pulled and used in appropriate articles.

Chaotic End to Regular Session in Baton Rouge

With four minutes to spare before the Louisiana Legislature's final deadline to pass bills, lawmakers approved a sweeping spending package Thursday in a series of chaotic votes marked by angry yelling at the House Speaker, confusion in the Senate and accusations of backdoor deal-making. 

The approximately $45 billion bundle approved Thursday includes the state's main spending bill, a budget for major construction projects and a supplemental spending measure dealing with a $2.2 billion glut of extra cash the state hauled in over the past two years. The bills move next to the desk of Gov. John Bel Edwards, who put his stamp on the session by pushing for higher teacher pay and funding for early childhood education.

Read more: Louisiana Legislature approves budget in chaotic vote marked by yelling, confusion

Today marked the end of the 2023 Regular Session. To say this day was an embarrassment for our state is an understatement. The Speaker of the House and his leaders waited until 5:35 pm, 25 minutes before the deadline, to release the conference amendments to the budget,

— Larry Frieman (@FriemanLarry) June 9, 2023

State Senator Jeremy Stine on HB 648

Louisiana State Senator, Jeremy Stine, on why it is important for the legislature to pass HB 648 and his passionate defense of the most vulnerable, our children.

If HB 648 doesn’t become law, we will be sending a horrible message to our children. This isn’t complicated. Our kids deserve to know that they are loved, valued, and perfect just as God created them. #lalege pic.twitter.com/GEnLKUVOHN

— Jeremy Stine (@JeremyStine) June 7, 2023

New Analysis: Louisiana’s Abundant Natural Gas and Oil Resources Provide Over $54 Billion in Economic, Trade & Job Benefits

The Louisiana Mid-Continent Oil and Gas Association (LMOGA) and American Petroleum Institute (API) today released new analysis on the growing economic contributions of America’s natural gas and oil industry in all 50 states, including investment in Louisiana ranging from taxes and workforce wages paid to indirect and induced jobs in retail, manufacturing, agriculture and other sectors throughout the energy supply chain. The study, commissioned by API and prepared by PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC), showed that the industry supported more than 346,000 jobs and contributed over $54 billion toward the state’s economy in 2021.

“It is clear the energy industry is critical to Louisiana’s economy, creating jobs, boosting the economy and raising the quality of life for residents across the state. Our state’s economic future depends on a strong, robust oil and natural gas industry and the safe, responsible delivery of energy resources for all.” – Tommy Faucheux, LMOGA President

Read more: New Analysis: Louisiana’s Abundant Natural Gas and Oil Resources Provide Over $54 Billion in Economic, Trade & Job Benefits

2023 Louisiana Survey Shows Crime Tops List of Public’s Concerns

Louisiana residents remain pessimistic about the direction of the state; confidence in state government remains low.

The first in a series of three reports from the 2023 Louisiana Survey, a project of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs.

Summary Key results of the 2023 Louisiana Survey, a project of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs at Louisiana State University, include:

State of the State

• Most Louisiana residents (61%) believe the state is heading in the wrong direction. While this marks a slight decline of five percentage points from last year, it is the second consecutive year in which a majority of state residents said the state is heading in the wrong direction.

• This year, crime surged to the top of state residents’ concerns, named by about one fifth of respondents (19%). • Confidence in state government remains low. Only 28% of Louisiana residents say they are either “very confident” or “somewhat confident” in state government to address pressing problems.

• The index of consumer sentiment, which measures changes in the outlook for the economy, for Louisiana is 53.5 in the early spring of 2023, a slight improvement over 50.3 in 2022 but well below the value for the United States as a whole, 63.5.

• Four out of five Louisiana residents (80%) say that crime has increased over the last few years. One fourth of state residents report they were the victim of a property crime within the past year, and 15% report they were attacked or threatened with violence.

• Most Louisiana adults (76%) visited a doctor in the past year for a routine checkup. Yet, 22% of adult Louisiana residents have not seen a doctor in more than a year.
  Overall, 13% of adult Louisiana residents have needed to see a doctor for their physical health in the past year but could not because they could not afford the cost. The same share (13%) have needed mental health care within the past year but could not afford it.

Read more: Louisiana Survey 2023 Report

Majority Leader Steve Scalise and Former State Senator Troy Hebert Defend Jeff Landry

The following was issued by the LAGOP yesterday in response to an attack ad sent out by a PAC supporting GOP candidate for Governor of Louisiana, Stephen Waguespack:

Majority Leader Steve Scalise issued the following statement earlier today. The LAGOP fully endorses the Majority Leader's sentiments, and believes this pro-Waguespack attack against the endorsed Republican candidate for Governor, Jeff Landry, to be unprovoked and unwarranted. We urge Mr. Waguespack and his supporters to refrain from such attacks in the future.

The Majority Leader's remarks are quoted below:

"Louisiana must elect a bold conservative as our next Governor in order to move our state forward and in a positive direction. The best way for a Republican to regain the Governor's mansion is by laying out their vision for the state's future and building momentum by way of inspiring others to join in their cause.

While the temptation always exists, Republicans attacking other Republicans is the only way we can lose this November's election. Stephen Waguespack is a friend, but those supporting his campaign and outside efforts are hurting his chances—and Louisiana Republicans—by breaking Ronald Reagan's 11th Commandment in launching negative attacks against the Republican front-runner, Jeff Landry.

We must learn from the mistakes of the 2015 and 2019 governor's races, where Republican infighting ultimately squandered our opportunities to win the Governor's mansion. As we work towards getting Louisiana back on track in 2023, Republican candidates must focus on their positive vision for our state, not instigating intra-party attacks and provoking defensive retaliation. Ultimately, this unproductive discourse only benefits those who want to keep our state on the wrong track.

Stephen Waguespack should denounce this negative ad and Reboot Louisiana PAC should take down this attack ad immediately."

In addition, former rival in a heated race for Louisiana State Senate several years ago, Troy Hebert, had this to say about Jeff while on a program with Jim Engster on Tuesday morning:

Trey Ourso and Troy Hebert Discuss Louisiana's Governor's Race

Senior political strategist and partner at Ourso Beychok Trey Ourso is joined by former Louisiana state representative and politician Troy Hebert to discuss several political topics including the upcoming governor's race and its candidates as well as the debt ceiling. Scientist from the Pennington Biomedical Research Center Dr. Claire Berryman gives insight into Pennington's research regarding altitudes effect on health.

Eight Louisiana District Attorneys and Sheriffs Endorse Jeff Landry for Governor

Lafayette, La. —Today, Jeff Landry announced that he has received the endorsement of four Louisiana district attorneys and four Louisiana sheriffs. Jeff Landry is a former police officer, sheriff’s deputy, national guardsman, and military police officer. More endorsements from Louisiana law enforcement officials are to come.

 Sheriff Endorsements:

 "The next Governor’s top priority must be to address the broken laws related to crime. Jeff Landry has my endorsement for Governor because he is the only candidate in this race who I trust to fix the crime problem in our state. He supports our men and women in law enforcement, and he will fight for the safety and well-being of families here in DeSoto Parish. We must prioritize the law abiding citizens and victims in this state,” Sheriff Jayson Richardson - Desoto Parish.

"Jeff Landry has my full endorsement and support for Governor of Louisiana. As a former police officer and sheriff's deputy, there is no better friend of law enforcement than Jeff. He understands what it takes to keep our communities safe, and he is someone we can count on to be the law-and-order governor Louisiana needs,” Sheriff Craig Webre - Lafourche Parish.

"Jeff Landry is the right man at the right time. As a former officer, deputy sheriff, and current attorney general, he has firsthand experience and knowledge to deal with our out-of-control crime problem on his first day in office. He is a fighter who doesn't back down when the best interest of Louisiana is at stake. I personally endorse him, and I am 100 percent certain he will make a great Governor for Bossier and all of Louisiana,” Sheriff Julian Whittington - Bossier Parish.

"Jeff Landry has my full endorsement and support. As a former police officer and sheriff's deputy, Jeff has been a true friend to law enforcement. Jeff will be the law-and-order Governor that Louisiana and Caddo Parish desperately need,” Sheriff Steve Prator - Caddo Parish.

District Attorney Endorsements:

"I am endorsing Jeff Landry for Governor because he is an example of the core values of Louisiana and its citizens. Jeff has continuously supported law enforcement and is a strong advocate of a fair judicial system. He is passionate about upholding the rule of law and protecting and preserving our constitutional rights. Jefferson Davis Parish, and the State of Louisiana, would be well-served by having Jeff Landry as our next Governor. Jeff has the passion and the fortitude to take on the tough issues and challenges that we are facing in the public safety sector and criminal justice system,” Lauren Heinen - 31st JDC - Jefferson Davis Parish.

"Jeff Landry has my endorsement for Governor because he has continuously demonstrated that he will do what it takes to back the men and women of law enforcement in upholding the rule of law, protecting our citizens against criminals and preserving our constitutional rights. I believe the public safety of the citizens of Rapides Parish would be best served by Jeff Landry leading Louisiana as our next Governor,” Phillip Terrell - 9th JDC - Rapides Parish.

"Jeff Landry has my full endorsement and support for Governor of Louisiana. Jeff understands what it takes to keep our communities safe, and he is someone we can count on to be the law-and-order Governor of Louisiana. Iberia, St. Martin and St. Mary Parish will be well served by Jeff,” Bo Duhe - 16th JDC - Iberia, St. Martin, and St. Mary Parish.

 “Jeff Landry has my full endorsement and support for Governor of Louisiana. Like me, Jeff understands what it takes to keep our communities safe and he is someone we can count on to be the law-and-order Governor Louisiana and St. Landry Parish needs,” Chad Pitre - 27th JDC - St. Landry Parish.

Louisiana lawmaker who bucked GOP on gender-affirming care ban unphased by national critics

Fred Mills has sided with the butchers and groomers. He will regret it. This is the biggest mistake of his political career, and also the end of his career. He’s going to be infamous and disgraced by his own base. We’ll make sure of that. https://t.co/ZiJFM9gScs

— Matt Walsh (@MattWalshBlog) May 24, 2023

State Sen. Fred Mills is the latest target of national conservative activists after bucking the Republican Party by voting to kill a proposed ban on gender-affirming healthcare for transgender youth But he’s not worried about it. 

“Why should I?,” Mills said in an interview after he broke a tie vote Wednesday in the Louisiana Senate Health and Welfare Committee. “They don’t live in District 22. They don’t have a 337 area code.” 

“I didn’t run for office to serve those people,” added Mills, a GOP member and pharmacist who represents portions of four rural parishes and New Iberia. 

Read more: Louisiana lawmaker who bucked GOP on gender-affirming care ban unphased by national critics 

LANDRY: About Those Library Books And Senator Heather Cloud's SB7

Roughly nine months ago, the Louisiana Department of Justice began receiving calls from both parents and librarians concerned about sexually-explicit materials designed for minor children that were easily accessible in our public libraries. Our subsequent investigation discovered library materials that involved graphic illustrations of young adults engaged in sexual activities, detailed descriptions and how-to guides for various sex acts, and graphic descriptions of sexual abuse perpetrated by adults on minors.  

If any of these illustrations were broadcast on public television, that network would be contacted by the FCC for violating its rules. If excerpts from any of these books were read aloud on National Public Radio, they too would be contacted, immediately.  

In fact, when Senator Heather Cloud had her staffers print redacted images from these books included in our Protecting Innocence report, there were legal concerns at the Capitol and fears of sexual harassment allegations – merely for printing these images, blurred by our staff, as exhibits for SB7.  

Yet minor children across Louisiana can walk into their local library right now and see the unredacted images for themselves. And in forty-five of our parishes, any child can check-out these materials for further study at home.  

The effects of early sexualization of children are well-known, ranging from poor mental health and isolation to relationship dysfunction and sexual violence. There is an increased risk of sexual abuse, human trafficking, and falling prey to groomers. But the biggest concern was highlighted by research done by Johns Hopkins: the vast majority of children who experience sexual abuse are abused by other children who are only a few years older.  

Perhaps this is why protections have been put in place by the FCC and even streaming services like Netflix. In fact. when a parent chooses “Kids Only” content on Netflix, they often place their trust in a cataloging system on the backend of the service that separates sexually-explicit adult material from more age-appropriate options. Yet this simple system has not been properly applied to our State’s public library systems.  

Senator Cloud’s bill SB7 would place parental restrictions on what a minor child can and cannot check-out from their local library, enabling parents to serve as content moderators for library material that is brought home. I support this course of action; but I also encourage parents to get involved in their child’s library experience and voice concerns about questionable content that has been given valuable shelf space within the children’s and young adult sections.  

By being aware and vocal, parents can ultimately shape the catalogue available to their children so that each public library in every parish can represent the values of that area and its unique community standards. Remember: these are public spaces and they should reflect the needs of the public it serves.  

That is why I have always insisted that the parents have control over this issue, ultimately deciding the appropriate time and place for their child’s exposure to sexual content and their subsequent education. SB7 gives parents that power, at least within their own homes. So I am pleased to report that the bill has passed the Education Committee with an 8-3 vote and now heads to the full House.  

I am proud to have worked with concerned parents and librarians on this parental rights initiative. Together we will continue to fight for the innocence of our children and the rights of our parents. Because if innocence is not protected, what kind of world will we build?  

Jeff Landry
Louisiana Attorney General

LAGOP: Important Bills Pending Before Our Legislature

Please be aware of these important pieces of legislation that are currently before our legislature, and let your senator and representative know where we stand:

HB 81— Requires the use of the given name for a student that is listed on the birth certificate unless the parent provides written permission to do otherwise.

HB 86— Creates the "Protect Teachers Act," which provides that no school official will be held liable for any act or failure to act in the directing or disciplining of school children under his or her care and supervision, unless such act or failure to act was found to be malicious and willfully and deliberately intended to cause bodily harm.

HB 102/SB 7— Requires parish and municipal libraries to adopt and implement a policy relative to a minor's access to library materials containing sexually explicit content.

HB 103— Requires public high school students to successfully complete one semester of Financial Literacy in order to be eligible to graduate.

HB 125— Provides land protection by restricting any foreign adversary from directly or indirectly owning, acquiring, leasing, or otherwise obtaining agricultural land.

HB 131— Removes the requirement that a person possess a permit from the state in order to carry a concealed handgun.

HB 311— Constitutional Amendment which prohibits the use of funds and resources from a foreign government or a nongovernmental source for the conduct of elections and/or for the functions and duties related to the administration and conduct of elections.

SB 175— Creates the crime of unlawful deepfakes involving minors, which is the creation of any material depicting a minor engaging in sexual conduct using deepfake technology. 

SB 63— Constitutional Amendment which provides that the freedom to worship in a church or other place of worship is a fundamental right that deserves the highest protection.

We will send further updates as the legislative session continues. 

LANDRY: Honoring Louisiana’s Law Enforcement

This week we are celebrating National Police Week – a time to respect, honor, and remember the brave men and women in law enforcement who protect and serve us. This year’s commemoration comes with the crime epidemic on the minds of so many our neighbors, especially in light of U.S News and World Report recently ranking Louisiana as the worst state in the country for violent crime. 

While we only have 4.5 million people in our State, we still experience 60% more violent crime per 100,000 citizens than the national average. And it is our police officers and sheriff deputies who must race to the scenes of the all-too-often carjackings, armed robberies, shootings, rapes, and other violent crimes plaguing Louisiana. There are no trophies and very few accolades for this difficult work; yet, these peacemakers continue to be our first responders. 

I know how challenging a career in law enforcement can be, as I started my professional life as a police officer and a sheriff’s deputy. During that time, I worked nights, weekends, and holidays – in the neighborhoods, on the roads, and in the jails. I know that those in uniform experience both the best and the worst communities have to offer. Often, these individuals are on the receiving end of violence as well. It is a career that is hard on your body, your mind, and – in some cases – when you have faced the worst humanity has to offer, it can be hard on your soul. 

But all of this can be even harder on the families of those in blue because, while it is rarely covered on the news, behind every brave man and woman in uniform are people who love them. We must not forget that there are often husbands, wives, and children who are also making sacrifices for their communities. These are the ones who feel the stress of time apart, important events missed, and the strain of deep exhaustion brought home at the end of a shift. Then, if a loved one makes the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty, they are left with the grief and uncertainty that follows. 

This sorrow and anxiety is something that I have seen firsthand. As your Attorney General, I serve as the Chairman of the Law Enforcement and Firemen Survivor Benefits Board. Over the last seven years, I have met with the families of our State’s finest killed in the line of duty. While it is one of the most difficult parts of my job, I am proud to ensure that those families receive all of the assistance that we can legally provide. And since 2016, 117 claims have been approved and over $31 million in benefits have been paid directly to the survivors of our fallen first responders. 

Still, Louisiana must do more than honor our fallen and support their families. We must also continue to support law enforcement as they battle the opioid epidemic, fight internet crimes against children, stand against illegal immigration, and work to end domestic violence and sexual assault. We must push back against those who wish to defund the police and disrespect the blue. And we must continue to have the backs of officers who continue to operate within the law. 

Our State’s crime problem will not be remedied overnight. A safe Louisiana can only be achieved with the help of law enforcement. Without the sacrifices of our officers and deputies – and their families – we will never fully address violent crime, hold hardened criminals accountable for their actions, or protect our citizens.  

That is why, this week, I ask you join me in appreciating Louisiana’s law enforcement. Please be sure to thank those who stand on the thin blue line that divides order and chaos. And please pray with me for these brave men and women to be strong and steadfast. Together, we can make Louisiana a better place. 

Jeff Landry
Louisiana Attorney General

LANDRY: Louisiana's Criminal Justice System is Failing Us

Louisiana has 3 cities in the top 10 most dangerous cities in the country.

SWIBER: Back to the Bayou

Stephen Swiber, Louisiana State Senate Candidate, launches BackToTheBayou.com to unite Louisiana family this Mother's Day, as outmigration continues to separate families.

LOGA President Mike Moncla Testifies Before House Ways & Means Committee in Support of HB 634