Information about various cities and parishes is the
Louisiana political news for today:
Garvey succeeds Roemer, Abramson explains and—the Edwards Finance Committee Transition report is out.
by Tom Aswell, Publisher of the Louisiana Voice
Gov. John Bel Edwards hasn’t even issued the call yet for a special legislative session to deal with the state’s budgetary woes and already state lawmakers appear to have the collective attention span of a gypsy moth.
Front runner Donald Trump scored another strong performance in the 6th Republican presidential debate last night. A Drudge Report poll showed 54% of respondents believed Trump won the debate, with Texas Senator Ted Cruz coming in second at 31%.
Will the new Louisiana Governor, Democrat Jon Bel Edwards be able to work with the Republican-led House of Representatives? On Monday, a political coup took place since Republicans wanted to maintain control over the House of Representatives and the party knew it could not win with its candidate, Cameron Henry, against the governor’s choice, Walt Leger?
While the New Orleans Saints and fans debate the future of Drew Brees due to his $30 million dollar dent to the existing salary cap, there is little doubt that even in an off year, Brees is in a class of his own--even at age 36.
The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry (LABI) has announced its officers and board members for 2016, along with the inaugural members of the newly created LABI Emerging Leaders Council, a group of 40 distinguished entrepreneurs from each region of Louisiana that will meet regularly and offer unique insight to the organization on issues facing the state. The slate represents some of the top talent from the Louisiana business community and other organizations across the state.
On Wednesday, the Louisiana State Treasurer, John Kennedy circulated a report indicating that the Louisiana budget is worse than expected.
Louisiana’s newly elected governor began his inaugural day on a high note with religious services at St. Joseph Cathedral in downtown Baton Rouge. But before he could even begin his inaugural address, things got dicey. The Louisiana House of Representatives rejected his hand picked candidate for Speaker. Is this an indication of how his term as the state’s chief executive will succeed?
As Jay Dardenne, the now-Commissioner of Administration for Governor Jon Bel Edwards pointed out last month, the state of the Louisianaa budget is worsening.
Even worse, Louisiana, which is currently in a projected $2.6B budget hole as Edwards administration has taken office, also must deal with sharply-dropping oil prices. Oil is hovering over $30 per barrel. At the time of the recent Louisiana governor's election, oil was trading in the mid-forties.
The Louisiana Senate committee slate is complete as the state attempts to climb out of a $2.6B budget hole. Today, Senate President John Alario announced the committee assignments and appointments for the beginning of the 2016-2020 Louisiana Senate.
Talk about beginner's luck.
Jon Bel Edwards takes over the Governor's mansion from former Presidential candidate, Bobby Jindal and is on the job for one day. Lo and behold, his name becomes associated with the worst state in the union--Louisiana.
President Barack Obama issued his last State of the Union Address on Tuesday and highlighted improvements and disappointments over the past seven years.
Here is the transcript of the speech and highlights.
Days before the federal court has even ruled on the lawsuits brought forward by four organizations concerned about historic preservation, Mayor Mitch Landrieu is moving forward with his plans to dismantle four Confederate monuments in New Orleans. Over the past few days, the Landrieu administration has sent work crews to the monument sites to make initial preparations to remove the monuments.
Inaguration day for any elected official is always an exciting event.
For those beig sworn into office in 2016 for the State of Louisiana, it was a day not just full of political suspense but some of the finest Louisiana music, food and politics money could buy.
Before we celebrate January 11 as Louisiana House Independence Day, let’s call it what it was—a political putsch.
Nothing more, nothing less.
EMILY SNEED ARATA MOVES ON
One of Mitch Landrieu’s top aides ever since he first ran for Lt. Governor has left the fold.
Today, Deputy Mayor of External Affairs Emily Arata announced that after over ten years of service to the City and the State, she will leave her post on Jan. 15, 2016, to serve as the Director of Economic Development Initiatives and Community Relations for the Ochsner Health System.
Emily Sneed Arata is the younger sister of former Jefferson Parish councilwoman Jennifer Sneed.