by Wesley Muller, Louisiana Illuminator
May 4, 2025

A surprise amendment to what was a simple bill caused an appreciable rift among Republicans in the Louisiana Legislature this past week, but it might have helped advance Gov. Jeff Landry’s signature legislation to address the state’s insurance crisis. 

House Bill 148, sponsored by Rep. Jeff Wiley, R-Maurepas, began as a measure to require insurance companies to tell customers what their previous billing amount was whenever sending out a coverage renewal notice. Wiley said it would simply let customers quickly see whether their insurance rates have gone up or down. 

However, the legislation underwent significant changes Wednesday on the House floor. 

Wiley accepted an amendment from Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, that effectively combined his bill with some of the major provisions from a separate proposal from Democrats Robby Carter of Amite and Chad Brown of Plaquemine. Their measure, which has the governor’s backing, would give the state insurance commissioner the power to strike down any insurance rate increase considered “excessive” or unreasonably high.

Currently, the commissioner can only exercise that power after holding a public hearing in which someone proves the state insurance market lacks competition. 

The amalgamated bill was advanced to the Senate on a 68-34 vote. 

The Carter-Brown bill had opposition from several Republican lawmakers and Insurance Commissioner Tim Temple, who some speculate could become the governor’s scapegoat if the latest efforts to reduce coverage prices fail.

The proposal would have also backed the commissioner into a corner, forcing him to choose between rates based on real market conditions and rates that are lowered as a form of political favors, Temple has said in previous interviews. 

Some Republican lawmakers made similar arguments Wednesday and challenged whether Glorioso’s amendment was germane to Wiley’s original legislation. Legislative rules forbid members from hijacking a colleague’s bill with changes that differ dramatically from the purpose of the original proposal.  

One opponent, Rep. Raymond Crews, R-Bossier City, asked House Speaker Phillip DeVillier, R-Eunice, to decide whether the Glorioso amendment departed radically from the Wiley bill. After consulting with the chamber’s parliamentarian, DeVillier said both proposals are related to the cost of insurance premiums.  

Rep. John Wyble, R-Franklinton, criticized the amendment for its lack of specificity in how the commissioner is supposed to determine whether a rate is unreasonable.

“So what’s an unreasonable profit — a 6% profit, a 4.5% profit, a 20% profit, a 100% profit?” Wyble asked.

Republicans Jay Gallé of Mandeville, Josh Carlson of Lafayette, Paula Davis of Baton Rouge and Chance Henry of Crowley also argued against the proposal, voting against the Glorioso amendment and the updated bill.   

Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, who chairs the House Insurance Committee, also voted against both measures. He said he believes Glorioso’s amendment helped ensure the passage of the key provisions the governor wanted. 

Landry turned heads last month when he sat shoulder to shoulder with Brown at a committee hearing in support of the Democrat’s bill. The governor even drew praise from some of the state’s most liberal politicians after he railed against large corporations and called for stricter regulations on the insurance industry.

The Carter-Brown bill “was problematic for some Republican representatives,” Firment said in a phone interview Friday.

Moving the major provisions from that bill into a Republican-backed proposal was a way to try to ease the “heartburn” some conservatives were having, Firment said. 

The insurance commissioner is still lobbying against the revised bill. 

“I can’t speak to anyone’s motivation, but the only additional power this legislation gives me is the authority to deny rates for political, personal and other subjective reasons,” Temple said. “I’ve made that clear to the legislature and will continue working to help them understand what the bill does and why it is harmful to our insurance market.”

Wiley said he supported the amendment because of the special circumstances of the state’s insurance crisis. 

“I can just tell you that tough times call for tough decisions,” Wiley said.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

The post Gov. Landry might get the insurance laws he wants, but not without ruffling some Republican feathers appeared first on lailluminator.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

The article maintains a generally neutral stance, focusing on the legislative process and the differing viewpoints within the Louisiana state legislature regarding House Bill 148. However, it presents significant portions from Republican legislators and their opposition to specific aspects of the bill, such as the amendment supported by Gov. Jeff Landry. It also details the more conservative criticism regarding the proposed expansion of the insurance commissioner’s powers, with Republican lawmakers expressing concerns over its potential political implications. While the article includes some Democratic perspectives, the tone and emphasis lean toward highlighting Republican resistance, suggesting a Center-Right orientation in its presentation of the political dynamics.

by Greg LaRose, Louisiana Illuminator
May 3, 2025

A lone legislative race and a smattering of local tax referendums around the state were put before Louisiana voters Saturday, when a sparse ballot had to compete with the usual spring schedule of festivals and events throughout the Bayou State

In East Baton Rouge Parish, a special election was held to fill the vacancy in Louisiana House District 67. The position became open when Larry Selders won a February election for the state Senate seat vacated when Cleo Fields won the 6th Congressional District race last year.

Terry Landry Jr. prevailed in a field of three Democrats to represent the district that encompasses the LSU campus and neighborhoods to its south. Landry is an attorney who works with the Southern Poverty Law Center and was previously with the Louisiana Department of Children and Family Services and the state health department.

Another notable item on Saturday’s ballot was the Lake Charles mayoral race, with Republican incumbent Nic Hunter losing to independent challenger Marshall Simien Jr.

Other highlights from Saturday’s results included a rejected property tax referendum for the East Baton Rouge Parish district attorney’s office. DA Hillar Moore had said the new millage was needed to bring his agency up to par in staffing and compensation with comparably large prosecutorial districts in Orleans and Jefferson parishes.

The 4-mill levy was projected to raise $24 million annually, with Moore projecting there would be enough revenue generated for his office to return millions to the parish government general fund. With the new tax failing, resources for the district attorney will continue to come from parish government.

In New Orleans, voters narrowly approved a property tax for the Orleans Parish Sheriff’s Office, which has the primary task of operating the city jail. The final vote tally saw the measure prevail by a margin of two votes out of more than 25,000 ballots cast. The results still have to be verified by the Secretary of State.

Although the sheriff’s tax has already been in place for years, opponents leaned into a “no new taxes” message in their campaign against the 2.46-mill, 10-year collection. The tax is expected to generate nearly $14 million in revenue for the sheriff’s office.

St. Tammany Parish voters approved a bond sale for its public school system with a ceiling of $325 million. The debt is not expected to result in an increase to existing property millages dedicated to the school district.

A property tax in Livingston Parish public schools was renewed for another 10 years. The 7 mills will generate nearly $5 million a year for the district.

Rapides Parish voters also renewed two property taxes for their public school system, totaling 9.58 mills combined, for the next 10 years. They’re forecast to generate more than $10 million annually.

Louisiana Illuminator is part of States Newsroom, a nonprofit news network supported by grants and a coalition of donors as a 501c(3) public charity. Louisiana Illuminator maintains editorial independence. Contact Editor Greg LaRose for questions: info@lailluminator.com.

The post Louisiana election results: May 3, 2025 appeared first on lailluminator.com

Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Centrist

The article provides a neutral and factual account of various local elections and tax referendums across Louisiana, reporting on results without promoting any ideological stance. It focuses on the outcomes of the elections and the specifics of the ballot measures, including property taxes and bond sales. The language is straightforward, offering details on the candidates, voter turnout, and the issues at hand. While it mentions both political figures and issues, it does so without demonstrating clear bias toward any political party or ideology, maintaining a balanced, factual reporting approach.

SUMMARY: More rain and thunderstorms are expected on Saturday, with a small chance of strong storms producing gusty winds or hail. A stationary front will bring rain in the afternoon, clearing by evening, leaving cooler, less humid conditions for Sunday. Temperatures will be in the 50s on the North Shore and near 60 in the metro area, with a breezy, comfortable day ahead. The upcoming week will bring a better chance for rain, especially on Wednesday and Thursday, as a cold front approaches. The Kentucky Derby may experience scattered rain but no severe weather expected.

More rain and thunderstorms expected Saturday

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