Pre-K education, not OK, in Louisiana, investments needed
Written by Jim Brown
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.
LSU's Coach Orgeron in bad call backing John Bel Edwards for Governor
Written by Jeff Crouere
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.
LSU basketball coach refused to Wade into kangaroo court scrutiny
Written by Jim Brown
If you are a sports fan living in Louisiana, you are well aware of the rise to the top by LSU’s basketball team that won the SEC championship and made it to the Sweet 16 of the NCAA tournament. But then the bubble burst. Not because the Tigers were defeated by Michigan State. No, the team was undermined by the irresponsible action of the LSU administration itself.
Now this is not a sports column, but a commentary of the dysfunctional leadership at the state’s flagship university. The basketball fiasco is just one more misstep. Here is the latest in a long line of rash actions.
GOP gubernatorial candidates have heavy-lifting to unseat John Bel Edwards
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
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.
Pre-existing hostility inflamed over AG Landry's healthcare bill, Gov. Edwards
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
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.
Shh! No secret how to lower Louisiana auto insurance rates
Written by Jim Brown
Statewide elections are six months away, so after ignoring Louisiana’s outrageously high insurance rates for the past three years, legislators are running for cover. Two study commissions have been created, one by the Governor and another by the Insurance Department, for the purpose of finding ways to lower the cost of auto insurance. So to be of help and having a bit of background in dealing with insurance issues, I have the solution. Don’t reinvent the wheel. Do one thing. Enforce existing laws.
Whole lotta shakin’ goin’ on left for Jerry Lee Lewis of Ferriday Louisiana
Written by Jim Brown
“The Killer” needs to take a break from Rock and Roll. Jerry Lee Lewis had a recent stroke and will spend the coming months in a rehab facility near his home in Nashville. I was looking forward to his April 28th concert at the Jazz and Heritage Festival in New Orleans, and had already lined up my tickets for his show. But that’s been cancelled. So let me look back on a few memories about Jerry Lee.
Jim Brown was destined to become Louisiana Secretary of State, twice
Written by Test
Qualification for this fall’s gubernatorial election is less than five months away. So far, there are only two races at the statewide level that are competitive. The governor’s race always draws a crowd, with Governor Edwards being challenged so far by two major and well-funded opponents. The other major contest pits the incumbent insurance commissioner in the run for his political life against well-funded newcomer Tim Temple. Incumbents in the other statewide offices have no opposition so far.
Louisiana politics: JBE pokes Abraham, Dems slap Villere, BRAC, Infant rights
Written by Stephen Sabludowsky
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.
Judging the Louisiana judicial system for fairness, real justice
Media Sources
According to several watchdog organizations, Louisiana has one of the worst judicial climates in the country. The state has been given the dubious title of the nation’s judicial hellhole by several neutral watchdog groups. Campaign funds given to a judicial candidate are often cited as possibly influencing future judicial decisions. Some are advocating the appointment of judges in order to do away with the pressure on judicial candidates to raise campaign contributions. So is this the solution? Is appointing rather than electing judges the way to go in Louisiana?
More...
Activist judge in Louisiana jury cases means new steps to fix decision
Written by Jeffrey Sadow
Although a decision on the matter will apply to many fewer defendants across Louisiana now, a needed challenge to a badly flawed decision on jury sentencing points out in passing an unintended consequence of recent change to this policy.
Last year, voters amended the Constitution to sweet away the state’s requirement – shared now only by Oregon – that juries decide cases with only 10 of 12 votes (except, according to the criminal code, cases that could carry a capital sentence). However, the change to unanimity didn’t affect cases already in the pipeline.
Senator Bill Cassidy plays no possum with his breakfast of 'coon
Written by Jim Brown
U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy has stirred up a hornet’s nest back in the Bayou State over his Facebook comments of eating a Louisiana delicacy. The Senator had this to say: “Found this raccoon in my backyard. We ate him for breakfast.” He even included a photo of the raccoon. And his Facebook friends went nuts with comments. Who on earth would even consider eating a raccoon?
The importance of a Louisiana presidential primary election
Written by Jim Brown
Presidential election season has kicked off earlier than usual with new democrat candidates appearing almost daily. Fourteen announced candidates so far with others like former Vice President Joe Biden waiting in the wings. The President is unopposed for now, but anti-Trump forces are searching for several good candidates. So how relevant is Louisiana to the presidential primary process? Not much. But that could change.
LABI claims Louisiana No. 1 in startling rise in business taxes
Written by Bayoubuzz Staff
BATON ROUGE, LA (February 20, 2019) – More than two dozen new laws permanently affect the taxes paid by small and large companies conducting business in Louisiana, ultimately leading to an additional $3 billion in state taxes over just three years. That startling statistic is one of many outlined in a summary released today by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI), reviewing business taxes enacted in Louisiana since 2015.
Dead Pelican
