"Hot" Louisiana Governor's election, state wide races--does anybody care?
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky 
Psst… Wake up.
Don’t tell anyone, but we’ve got a "red-hot" statewide election here in Louisiana in just a few months. In fact, all Louisiana legislators are up for either re-election or are vacating their seats due to terms-limits. There might be a legislator here or there just throwing in the towel even before their time expires.
Ok, stop your yawning. You're not interested, you say?
Well, positions such as Lt. Governor, Secretary of State, Insurance Commissioner are all up for grabs. Oh, did I not mention, the big kahuna of all, the top spot, Louisiana Governor? This is currently held by Democrat John Bel Edwards. No doubt, replacing him is top on the agenda for the Louisiana Republican Party.
Sorry, was that a "ho-hum" or "hum-dinger"?
Oh, I see. Well, does anybody know? Does anybody care?
Well, if you’re running for office, absolutely. But, if you’re Mr. or Ms. Average Voter, maybe not.
LAGOP e-missive to Louisiana voters: Louisiana jobs and growth in tubes
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
So, it's Bayoubuzz Louisiana E-Mail bag time. 'Tis the latest electronic missive, this one, received today, sent by the Louisiana Republican Party.
Dear Louisiana voters,
You're not doing so well after all.
Signed,
LAGOP
The Louisiana State Republican Party is doing what all political parties do at this stage of the election campaign. When more than one candidate runs under the party banner against the incumbent from the other party, the challenging party strikes deep and often. The usual party mission? Not so impossible--send out daily emails, criticizing the incumbent. In this case, the Republicans are taking on Governor John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, who happens to be defending his seat against two rather unknown political personalities. One is Congressman Dr. Ralph Abraham, a conservative from North Louisiana and the other, Eddie Rispone, a Baton Rouge businessman.
Today's daily missive has takes aim at Edwards by using just-released compative statistics as its weapon of choice. The issue? State unemployment, slow population growth, departure of the best and brightest and weakness in the civilian workforce.
Here is today's e-political scorcher, hot off the press:
Louisiana, red or blue 2019? Doc Hines; Climate politics; JP, Kenner House
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
While it's not yet quite the time to talk Louisiana elections, at least until qualification week, here's an idea--let's talk Louisiana elections and politics.
For starts, here are items hitting the Bayoubuzz email box over the past two days. To get the conversation going. perhaps the ultimate question to ask right now is, which party is best suited to take home the marbles this fall, Democrats or Republicans? Pollster John Couvillon shares his views in a post from his website.
One of those people seeking a legislatie seat hails from House Seat 79th in Jefferson Parish. Attorney and civic activist, Debra Villio, seeks a seat in the Louisiana House of Representatives.
Now, this is one of the issues that we might not hear much about this upcoming election--global warming. A candidate for Statewide seat wants to know, why not?
Louisiana elections near as poor rankings seem to last
Written by Jeff Crouere
The state of Louisiana is one of the most unique places in the world. We live in a state with tremendous history, architecture and culture. We are blessed with the Mississippi River, countless bayous and waterways and bountiful natural resources which allow our state to earn the title of “sportsman’s paradise.”
I have a sad announcement to make. Politics is just no fun anymore in Louisiana.
Reams of books have been written about the colorful characters that ran the Bayou state throughout its history. And the average citizen got involved, attended rallies and actively supported their candidate of choice. Few states could match the intensity and enthusiasm that was a part of Louisiana campaigning. The state’s two favorite pastimes were LSU football and Politics.
Even the most ho-hum press release about Jindal deserves a second look
Written by Guest OpED
by Tom Aswell, publisher of Louisiana Voice
The news release by last September said that former Gov. Bobby Jindal had been appointed to the board of directors of by Wellcare Health Plans, Inc., of Tampa, Florida.
Yawn. Ho-hum. Has LouisianaVoice become so desperate for stories that it resurrects a nine-month-old news release?
PAR says Louisiana legislative session 2019 more stabilization, not reform
Written by Test
Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about the 2019 legislative season was the lack of extraordinary sessions. For the first year since the governor and current legislators were elected in 2015, we had no special session. Whether the reason was fatigue or election politics, our leaders in the Capitol determined that seven special sessions over the previous three years was enough. One major factor - and the most important characteristic of this session - was the existence of a more stable budget outlook based on a sales tax revenue stream established last year after much political wrangling. The 2019 session was the least contentious fiscal debate since the post-Katrina era. There were no mid-year budget cuts to adjust around, no drawdowns on the state rainy day fund and no obvious short-term gimmicks to prop the budget. The main theme was which programs to expand, not which to cut.
Before Donald Trump, there was Louisiana's Kingfish, Huey Long
Written by Jim Brown
Huey Long would have been right in the middle of the current presidential election if he were still alive. He began a legacy of a long list of Louisiana politicians who had national aspirations. Later governors John McKeithen, Edwin Edwards, Buddy Roemer and Bobby Jindal all fell by the wayside in the quest for national office.
LABI, Donelon pro-auto insurance agenda crashes this session
Written by Jim Brown
Louisiana’s business voice, LABI, as well as the Louisiana Insurance Department each took a huge hit in the waning days of the recent legislative session. LABI, with the full support of Insurance Commissioner Jim Donelon, pegged legislation to supposedly reduce insurance rates in the state as the most important proposed legislation of the session.
Will Louisiana Gov. Edwards ride the AG Jeff Landry healthcare train?
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
With election day down the track, less than a half-year away, what’s Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards going to do?
Attorney General Jeff Landry has achieved a significant win in the ongoing three and half-year battle between the Democrat Edwards and the Republican Attorney General.
More...
Louisiana GOP hopes to rebound with Edwards-LSU basketball queries
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
With less than six months remaining until voters go to the polls to re-elect Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards or pick his replacement, there is no question the two Republican candidates have not made much inroads, although, it is still early.
Yet, in hoping to rebound, perhaps, the Republican Party seems to be looking for a bounce of some type, in this case, the growing query involves the Democrat Governor Edwards and the LSU basketball team.
Bill hands Louisiana into "Nanny State" with "Don't hold cell-phone-while-driving", no-no
Written by Jeff Crouere
Once again, Louisiana politicians are on the verge of passing another law that will restrict our freedoms and take money out of the pockets of hard-working Louisiana taxpayers, all in the name of safety.
For several years, LA State Representative Mike “Pete” Huval (R-Breaux Bridge) has tried to pass a bill banning the right of a motorist to use a handheld cell phone in a vehicle. The bill would prohibit both phone calling and GPS use by responsible drivers.
Term-limited Senator John Alario time of reckoning with Gov. Edwards agenda
Written by Test
There’s more than one way to skin a cat, as Louisiana’s legislative Republicans showed on a controversial matter. But one of their own might employ the same to thwart them.
Yesterday, the House Insurance Committee had a light schedule of just two bills. One, SB 173 by Republican state Sen. Fred Mills, has generated much conflict. It regulates the state’s response in case the U.S Supreme Court declares unconstitutional part or all of the misnamed Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act. Democrat Gov. John Bel Edwards actually opposed it, setting off skirmishes that continued in yesterday’s hearing where an administration representative softened that stance with the bill’s passage.
Steve Scalise's soul-searching agony of forgiveness
Written by Jim Brown
Louisiana Congressman Steve Scalise says he is still struggling over whether to forgive the man wo shot him two years ago. “I’ve never, internally, formally forgiven the shooter from the baseball shooting,” he said. “It’s something I’ve struggled with as a Catholic.”
It would be hard for many, including me, to forgive such a transgression. I’m still personally quite bitter over wrongs that happened to me some years back. So I understand the reluctance to forgive.
Dead Pelican
