Displaying items by tag: Louisiana governor

Is there a gubernatorial election taking place in Louisiana this year?  Based on the amount of current interest, you wouldn’t know it. Qualifications for statewide offices are less than four months away.  Four months? And barely a peep out of candidates who want to run major offices in the Bayou State. What gives?

Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards made an announcement of appointments to several significant Louisiana boards and commissions. The announcement includes these important positions on the: 

Louisiana Wildlife and Fisheries Commission, Louisiana Citizens Property Insurance Corporation, New Orleans Center for Creative Arts, Louisiana Lottery Corporation, Louisiana Gaming Control Board and the Louisiana State Arts Council

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

As the Louisiana legislature begins a new session, the focus—early on—concerns alligators, almond milk, marching bands, the Who Dat Nation, driverless cars, wrestling matches, crab traps, meatless burgers, and changing the name of the state song. By any objective measure, most of these proposals should go by the wayside and the focus should be on educating our kids, particularly at a very young age.

The NFL was almost destroyed by the misguided actions of spoiled players who chose to kneel during the playing of the National Anthem. These unpatriotic actions were supposedly in the name of supporting social justice or fighting police brutality. Regardless of the intent, the impact on the league was very negative as attendance and ratings suffered.

If you are Businessman Eddie Rispone or Congressman Ralph Abraham (one of the two Republican candidates) intending to unseat Governor John Bel Edwards for the rights to the state capitol’s 4th floor, you have some heavy lifting to do.

And, if you are running for political office this year or working on a political campaign, reading the just-released 2019 Louisiana Survey, a project of the Reilly Center for Media & Public Affairs of LSU, is a must-do.

The ever-so unhealthy John Bel Edwards vs. Jeff Landry feud has emerged, once again. The on-again, off-again legal wrangles between the two top state lawmakers broke skin today. The issue?  Healthcare.

In other words, a pre-existing hostile condition has spread into the Louisiana legislative healthcare arena over the uncertain and most-controversial issue of pre-existing conditions coverage. 

It’s Tuesday afternoon and time to check the email box to see what the Louisiana political world has to offer.

Let’s see. Governor John Bel Edwards claims that one of his opponents, Rep. Ralph Abraham is praising the governor’s business climate because the Congressman, for one, said that Louisiana is open for investment.  Elections are over six months away and the political climate is beginning to come to a slow boil, especially for the governor's race.

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.