State of Louisiana Archives: on Government Reform
John Bel Edwards:
Favored sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on Jun/15/20; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on Jun/22/20; Signed by Governor Jul/13/20
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jul 13, 2020
Troy Carter:
Opposed sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on Jun/15/20; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on Jun/22/20; State Sen. Carter voted NO; Signed by Governor Jul/13/20
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jun 22, 2020
Lance Harris:
Favored sweeping tort reform making it harder to sue
HB57: Creates the Civil Justice Reform Act of 2020 which:- reduces the threshold for a jury trial,
- transfers cases to district courts,
- provides for evidence of medical expense payments, and
- repeals the limitation on presenting evidence of
the failure to wear a safety belt.
Analysis by the Baton Rouge Advocate (Jun 30, 2020):Business and insurance interests and their mostly Republican supporters supported sweeping changes to evidence laws that would reduce the number
of court cases and limit the awards of people who seek compensation for injuries caused by someone else. Lawyers, healthcare providers and their mostly Democratic allies who opposed sweeping tort reform counter that the changes would make court cases so
difficult that injured people will be more likely to accept insurance companies' offers.
Legislative Outcome:Passed House 78-22-4 on 6/15/20; Rep. Harris co-sponsored and voted YES; Passed Senate 29-9-1 on 6/22; Signed by Governor 7/13.
Source: The Advocate on Louisiana legislative voting records HB57
Jun 15, 2020
Eddie Rispone:
Need to change process of funding infrastructure repair
We can make several changes that will put our tax dollars to work for roads and bridges. Stop using the hundreds of millions in gas tax dollars to pay for government bureaucrats. Reform the state's capital outlay program and take politics out of the
process. Each funding request must be accompanied by a cost-benefit analysis so we can prioritize. By leveraging available funds with matching federal dollars, we can begin to fix our infrastructure problems.
Source: 225 Magazine on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Sep 30, 2019
John Bel Edwards:
Require voter ID; require proof of citizenship
Voting Rules: Support stricter voting rules such as voter ID requirements or reduced registration times, even if they prevent some people from voting?Abraham: Probable yes. Voted against Democratic HR 1 Act that would expand voter registration & votin
Source: 2018 CampusElect.org Guide to 2019 Louisiana Governor race
Nov 1, 2018
Foster Campbell:
10 year ban on lobbying for ex-members of congress
Q: Please explain your top priorities if elected.
A: Equal Pay for Women; Raising the Minimum Wage; 10 year ban on lobbying for ex-members of congress
Source: VoteSmart 2016 Louisiana Senate Political Courage Test
Nov 1, 2016
Thomas Clements:
Term limits for Congress; but voter ID too
Q: Do you agree or disagree with the statement, "Make voter registration easier"?
A: Congress Term Limits with Voter ID laws required.
Source: Email interview on 2016 Louisiana Senate race by OnTheIssues
Jul 31, 2016
Jay Dardenne:
Tighten disclosure rules for lobbyists, to limit influence
There is simply too much money being spent to influence lawmakers. Since 2009, lobbyists have spent more than $3 million entertaining legislators and executive branch employees. However, only 21% of the lobbyist filings name the individual on whom the
money was spent. There will always be money in politics--it is a fact of life. But we should do more to ensure that money doesn't have a corrupting influence. As Governor, I will:- Force lobbyists to identify individual lawmakers or government
employees who they spend money entertaining.
- End the practice of candidates and officeholders using campaign contributions for personal perks.
- Tighten the rules allowing communication and coordination between candidates, their campaigns, and Super
PACs that support them.
- Stop the revolving door between government and lobbyists by expanding lobbying prohibitions.
- Ban state employees from immediately going to work for companies that receive state contracts.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor's campaign website JayDardenne.com
Sep 9, 2015
David Vitter:
Led and won the fight for state term limits
As a state legislator, David led the fight for term limits against great odds--and won.
He filed ethics complaints against illegal good ole boy deals--and won. And he cut wasteful spending and kept violent criminals in jail longer.
Source: 2015 Louisiana Governor campaign website, DavidVitter.com
Aug 11, 2015
David Vitter:
Term limits instead of automatic pay raises for Congress
Vitter's well-publicized efforts to pass bills to block automatic cost of living congressional pay increases, while never adopted, may have contributed to Congressional votes over each of the last six years to forego the pay hikes.
His persistent bills to set term limits for members of Congress never went anywhere, unlike when he won a term limit constitutional amendment, but angered some colleagues, just as they did in the Louisiana Legislature.
Source: Times-Picayune coverage of 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
May 29, 2015
Jay Dardenne:
Don't bring dysfunctional Washington politics to Louisiana
Republican Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne is making an issue of Sen. David Vitter's "ineffective" congressional record. Dardenne insists that Louisiana voters don't like the "dysfunction," in Washington and that Vitter has been a major contributor to the partisan
divisions that often paralyze Congress: "You have to wonder how effective he is going to be as governor when he couldn't get much done when he served in the State Legislature, in the House of Representatives and in the United States Senate,"
Dardenne said. "We don't want to bring Washington politics to Louisiana."Vitter's spokesman said his boss is anything but ineffective, working with Democrats & fellow Republicans to move legislation important to the nation and the state of Louisiana.
He points to the Water Resources and Development Act, with key hurricane protection; the chemical safety bill; a long-term highway funding bill; and a bill barring the federal government from coercing or incentivizing states to adopt Common Core.
Source: Times-Picayune coverage of 2015 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
May 29, 2015
Ralph Abraham:
Term limits for Congress, plus no salary
No Career Politicians: Men and women should serve in Congress to give back to their communities and not consider it a profession. I support term limits for Members of Congress.No Salary: It should be an honor and a privilege
to serve your country and NOT a paid position. If law dictates a salary, then I will donate the salary ($174,000/year) to charities; YOU should not pay a penny for representation.
Source: 2014 Louisiana House campaign website, RalphAbraham.com
Dec 5, 2014
Garret Graves:
Require photo ID for voting
Q: People should be able to vote without photo identification?
GRAVES: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Ralph Abraham:
Require photo ID for voting
Q: People should be able to vote without photo identification?
ABRAHAM: Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Buddy Roemer:
Won Governor & House seat with voluntary contribution limit
Roemer is back, making an improbable run at the 2012 GOP nomination for president. Roemer, who plays down his Harvard MBA in favor of a folksy, fresh-off-the-family-cotton-farm demeanor, impressed some political observers with a forceful speech at an
Iowa candidate forum last week. His biggest applause line: a "declaration of independence" from special interests, punctuated by his pledge to take no political action committee money--and no donation at all greater than $100.
The other potential candidates, "they've got PACs and they've got airplanes," Roemer told the crowd. "All I've got is me and you. I think it's enough."
Roemer has gotten by before without big money. He served four terms in the House in the
1980s and was one of the few members of Congress to decline PAC money. He voluntarily set strict campaign-contribution limits during his successful run for governor in 1987.
Source: The Wall Street Journal, "Longshot from Louisiana"
Mar 16, 2011
John Neely Kennedy:
No pay-for-play; campaign contributions notwithstanding
Landrieu questioned why Kennedy would take more than $350,000 in campaign contributions from businesses and individuals who had projects before the Bond Commission, which Kennedy chairs.
Landrieu suggested that was an impropriety since Kennedy can decide what projects appear on commission agendas each month. “There’s a lot of talk around Louisiana about how you get on the agenda,” Landrieu said.
Kennedy denied any pay-for-play suggestions, and he said he was glad to compare his record to Landrieu’s campaign contributions, which he said include $300,000 from Wall Street firms and more than
$200,000 from executives with collapsed mortgage giants Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. “Sen. Landrieu criticizing my fundraising is a little bit like being called vain by Donald Trump,” Kennedy said.
Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate
Oct 16, 2008
Mary Landrieu:
I have delivered for Louisiana; send me back for more
In past debates Kennedy opened by aligning himself with John McCain, but [in this debate] he described his ideas for re-establishing economic stability in the financial markets and the
US economy, an attempt to take control of an issue widely considered a drag on GOP candidates nationwide. “I know many of you are scared. Don’t be. Be concerned, be angry, but don’t be scared,”
Kennedy said. “We will survive this economic crisis.”Landrieu, meanwhile, continued to push herself as a centrist senator who works across party lines and has brought home billions of dollars in aid to
Louisiana during her 12 years in Congress, particularly since the blows of hurricanes Katrina and Rita in 2005. “Send me back to continue to fight for you, to deliver for you,” she said.
Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate
Oct 16, 2008
Foster Campbell:
Bar election officials from campaigning for candidates
Legislative Digest:Proposed constitutional amendment prohibits the secretary of state and the commissioner of elections from participating or engaging in any political activity, making or soliciting any contributions for any political
party, faction, or candidate, or taking an active part in the management of the affairs of a political party, faction, candidate, or any political campaign in any election which is supervised, regulated or conducted by their offices.
Proposed constitutional amendment defines "political activity" to mean an effort to support or oppose the election of a candidate for political office or to support a particular political party in an election. Specifies that the support of issues
involving bonded indebtedness, tax referenda, or constitutional amendments is not to be prohibited. Legislative Outcome: Failed Senate final passage. (SB241 authored by Senator Foster Campbell)
Source: Louisiana 2002 legislative voting records: SB241
Apr 30, 2002
Foster Campbell:
Increase legislator limit from 5 bills to 15 per session
Legislative Digest: Constitutional amendment to limit the number of bills a legislator may introduce for a regular session of the legislature to 15. Present constitution provides that any number of bills may be pre-filed before the
first day of regular session, and specifies that after the prefiling deadline, no member may introduce more than 5 bills, except as provided by joint rule. Proposed constitutional amendment limits the number of bills a legislator may introduce for
a regular legislative session to 15 except that there shall be no limit on the introduction of bills requested by the executive branch or judicial branch, or bills to repeal law. Limits number of bills requested by executive departments to
10 bills and provides that bills requested by executive departments are not to be included in a legislator's individual limit.Legislative Outcome: Died in House committee. (SB5 authored by Senator Foster Campbell)
Source: Louisiana 2001 legislative voting records: SB5
Jan 22, 2001
Page last updated: Oct 13, 2021