Louisiana has a reputation as a conservative, law and order, state, but that has been changing in recent years. After approval from the legislature and the voters last fall, unanimous jury verdicts will be required in felony convictions. This will make it much harder for prosecutors to convict criminals in our state.

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards announced his appointments and reappointments to several Louisiana boards and commissions including Board of Regents, Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission, Louisiana Workers Compensation Corporation. Ernest N. Morial-New Orleans Exhibition Hall Authority, Dentistry and more.

Gov. Edwards announced appointments to the following boards and commissions:

Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission 
The Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission is responsible for constructing, maintaining, repairing and operating the dual span bridge-Expressway and requisite approaches, and the Causeway Bridge across Lake Pontchartrain connecting Jefferson and St. Tammany Parishes. In addition, in Act 762 of 1986 the State has asked the Commission to police the Huey P. Long Bridge across the Mississippi River.

Lindsey Williams, of Metairie, was appointed to the Greater New Orleans Expressway Commission. Williams is an attorney in private practice and will serve as a representative of Jefferson Parish.

With less than eight months until the primary election, Louisiana Republicans are facing an uphill climb to defeat incumbent Governor John Bel Edwards.

As every campaign operative knows only too well, “money is the mother’s milk of politics.” In recent years, it has become ever more expensive to run an effective statewide race. The upcoming Governor’s race may be the costliest race in Louisiana political history. To compete, a serious candidate will need to spend $5 million at a minimum.

With that figure as a starting point, only two gubernatorial candidates are currently serious contenders in the upcoming race. Governor Edwards reported a very impressive $8.4 million campaign war chest at the end of the year. In terms of cash on hand, his nearest competitor is almost $3 million behind as Republican businessman Eddie Rispone reported $5.5 million in his campaign account in the same period.  

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Remember the echo can chamber? Way back, before Al Gore invented the Internet, one way that kids would talk to one another would be by stringing two cans together. The words would go out of the mouth of the speaker, hit the back of the can, vibrate along the string, hit the other can's end and within micro-seconds, and somewhat miraculously, enters the ear of the other guy holding up the can. 

Things have changed. 

Nowadays, one can say something and before one can look for a string, the words are dissiminated around the world, via email, twitter, facebook post and yes, even by cell phone and snail mail.

It’s that time of year, once again for politics and business. Some say it's the business of politics. Others go with the politics of business. Nonetheless, they're here, this February, in Baton Rouge.  

On Tuesday February 12, the largest Louisiana business organization holds its always-packed annual event. Later this month, the State of Louisiana is hosting the Governor's Economic Development Summit.

A slew of upcoming state House of Representatives special elections could confirm the tightening grip conservatives have on the Louisiana Legislature.

In a matter of days voters can head to polls in seven districts: the 12th vacated by Republican Rob Shadoin, the 17th left by Democrat Marcus Hunter, the 18th cut loose by Democrat Major Thibaut, the 26th set aside by Democrat Jeff Hall, the 27th departed from by Republican Chris Hazel, the 47th traded in by GOP state Sen. Bob Hensgens, and the 62nd jettisoned by Republican Kenny Havard.

How do you put a dollar value on the worth of a public official?  How about this idea. Shouldn’t receiving any salary increase be based on results? 

LSU football coach Ed Orgeron will pocket some three and a half million dollars this year, making him one of the highest-paid football coaches in the nation. He received such an enormous salary package based on results. It’s the old adage that you get what you pay for, and with Ed, LSU ended the football season winning10 games. 

Should time and work be the only criteria in paying public employees? Why not pay the governor, the secretary of economic development, the superintendent of education, and a cross section of other public officials that directly affect our lives based on a scale of how well they perform and what results they achieve? 

Today, Gov. Edwards announced Chip Kline as the new executive assistant for coastal activities and board chair of the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority (CPRA).

“We have reached a critical moment to address coastal restoration and hurricane protection in our state in a way in which we have never done before,” said Edwards. “In order to take full advantage of this opportunity, the CPRA must have a leader who recognizes the severity of the crisis we face, has a deep knowledge and understanding of the many complex issues that must be worked daily, and has a vision for our state. For the last 10 years, Chip has worked tirelessly on behalf of our working coast, and I have full confidence he is committed to accomplishing our goals vital for us to have a coast that we can continue to be proud of.”

It is now official; Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards is running for re-election. He released a video yesterday confirming the worst kept secret in Louisiana. It has been clear from the beginning of his first term that Edwards was running for re-election.

In his video, Edwards outlined his so-called accomplishments, but neglected to remind voters that he is a Democrat. Ironically, he is trying to have it both ways, pursuing liberal policies while masquerading as a conservative.