newsletter
Call to Action
Support a task force on policing and body cams for Jefferson Parish cops
Hello friends,
We have just a week and a half left of special session and there’s a lot to cover, so let’s just jump in.
POLICING & LAW ENFORCEMENT SYSTEMS
“For those of you who are offended by the words, just look at me and Royce and think about how offended we are by the actions.”
-Rep. Ted James
Last week, Representative Ted James presented HR 13 to the House and Governmental Affairs Committee, which aimed to create a task force studying policing and law enforcement systems in light of George Floyd’s murder. Republican Representative Dodie Horton called it “the most racist document she had ever seen,” and rejected what she viewed as “offensive language” along with Reps. Johnson and Beaullieu. The Republicans refused to pass the Resolution until all language referencing race or George Floyd was stripped. Thank you to Reps. Ted James, Sam Jenkins, Royce Duplessis and Candace Newell for fighting to get this Resolution through. And shoutout to Rep. Barry Ivey for being the lone Republican who wasn’t clutching his pearls over the language—just grazing them at times.
There is a similar Senate Resolution, SCR 7 by Senator Cleo Fields, which creates the Police Training, Screening, and De-escalation Task Force, that is also currently making its way through the Legislature.
Finally, Representative Rodney Lyons has introduced HR 9, asking the Jefferson Parish Sheriff’s Office to implement a body camera program, which has been a rallying cry since the death of Modesto Reyes.
CALL TO ACTION
Email the House Criminal Justice Committee before 9am Thursday, June 18th and ask them to support SCR 7 and HR 9.
Email addresses:
"Hon. Ted James" <james.ted@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Tony Bacala" <bacalat@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Marcus Anthony Bryant" <hse096@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Bryan Fontenot" <hse055@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Jonathan Goudeau" <hse031@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Frederick Jones" <hse016@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. C. Denise Marcelle" <marcelled@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Joseph Marino III" <marinoj@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Scott McKnight" <hse068@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Nicholas Muscarello" <muscarellon@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Richard Nelson" <hse089@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Alan Seabaugh" <seabaugha@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Debbie Villio" <hse079@legis.la.gov>
Script:
Dear Members of the House Criminal Justice Committee:
Please vote for both resolutions-HR 9 for body cameras to be used in Jefferson Parish and SCR 7 to create a “Police Training, Screening, and De-escalation Task Force” to hold law enforcement accountable and stop the killing of black men and women.
Sincerely,
Name, zip code
VETO UPDATES
The Governor vetoed HB 197! Although HB 197 technically just added “water control structures” to the definition of critical infrastructure and increased penalties for trespassing and/or vandalizing such structures, this bill would have had the unintended (or perhaps intended) consequence of criminalizing peaceful protest or just a casual stroll along the levee.
The Governor also vetoed HB 846. HB 846 was a payroll incentive for minimum wage jobs, without any protections such as paid sick leave, health insurance or retirement benefits. In addition, it was drafted with little regard to its impact on our already strained budget.
The Governor signed into law the four gun bills we requested he veto. HB 140, HB 781, HB 746, and HB 334 were all signed into law, collectively limiting the power of local governments to regulate guns and now allowing concealed carry in churches. This is a devastating blow to New Orleans and the entire state of Louisiana.
Email the Governor here and tell him thanks but also no thanks. He needs to hear from you. Tell him what he’s doing right and what he’s doing wrong.
POLITICIZING THE LEGISLATIVE PROCESS
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and Senate President Page Cortez have fired John Carpenter, who has served as the independent Legislative Fiscal Officer (LFO) for the past eight years. The LFO is responsible for producing fiscal notes for bills, which basically tells lawmakers how much each piece of legislation will cost the people of Louisiana. It is meant to be an impartial, nonpartisan estimation so that we can continue to keep our budget straight. Although there was no real reason given for Carpenter’s firing, it coincidentally occurred after he produced a fiscal note that killed a bill that would have prohibited parishes from filing lawsuits against oil and gas companies. So ima just let you connect whatever dots you see fit.
Y’all stay safe out there. Keep washing your hands.
Louisianahbrah
Next Up: Louisiana Legislature
Now is the time to educate and engage.
Friends,
Last week was a truly powerful week here in New Orleans, with seven days of peaceful protests. I would like to thank the organizers for creating a space for us to come together as a city, including Take Em Down Nola, The New Orleans Peoples’ Assembly, and the New Orleans Workers Group. It was a moment to stop and reflect, learn and unlearn, and stand and march in solidarity. And now we have more work to do.
As President Obama said, this is not a matter of either protest or vote, this is a case of both/and:
“To bring about real change, we both have to highlight a problem and make people in power uncomfortable, but we also have to translate that into practical solutions and laws that can be implemented.”
We need to protest AND we need to vote, because real reform takes place at the local level. And in order to vote responsibly, we have to educate and engage—both ourselves and our networks.
So, in that spirit, let’s get to work.
LEGISLATIVE SESSION
The 2020 Session has wrapped up and the special session has begun. The main point of the regular session was to deal with COVID and pass the budget, but that obvs didn’t happen. Instead, Speaker Clay Schexnayder (aka Schexy), who determines what kind of bills can and cannot be heard in any given session, prioritized gun rights, big business and tort reform at the expense of voting rights and transparency. There was a brief shining moment of bipartisan criminal justice reform, but most of the regular session was spent obsessing over tort reform, which ultimately got flubbed in the end (lolz), so it’s likely we’ll be hearing more about it in special session. Also, if you don’t know wtf tort reform is or how it’s related to car insurance (welcome to the club) Bayou Brief is a good place for a deep dive.
In Special Session, which ends on June 30th, the main goal will be to pass a budget that addresses the nearly billion dollar shortfall we’re currently facing. There is a lot of federal aid available to help plug holes, but there is also a push by Republicans to cut taxes—specifically HB 17 by Rep. Stuart Bishop, which would suspend the corporate franchise tax to the tune of $400M—that would harm the vital services that we need to fund now more than ever.
CALLS FOR VETO
There are a number of bills that have unfortunately made it to Governor Edwards’ desk. He has 10 days to either sign or veto these bills, so now is the time to email him and ask him to veto that sh*t!
Include this script in the “Your Comment” section:
Governor Edwards: please veto HB 197, HB 438, HB 846, HB 140, HB 781, HB 746, and HB 334. Not only are these bills not representative of the values of Louisiana, but they are actively harmful to the livelihoods of her people. We ask that you use your power of veto to protect all Louisianians. Thank you.
More info on bills:
HB 197 by Rep. Jerome Zeringue: This bill would criminalize free speech by making peaceful protest punishable by 3-15 years of imprisonment and “hard labor.” There is already a similar, less punitive measure in place, which was also unnecessary. This bill simply compounds the injustice.
HB 438 by Rep. Christopher Turner: This bill would make it easier to hold people in contempt of court for their inability to pay child support, representing the further criminalization of poor people in Louisiana.
HB 846 by Rep Mark Wright: tax breaks for businesses providing low wage jobs. It drains already scarce resources with no guarantee of health insurance, paid sick leave, retirement, or any other benefits for employees.
HB 140 by Rep. Blake Miguez: an extreme gun bill that takes power away from local governments to regulate guns for the good of their residents—like in public parks or bars.
HB 781 by Rep. Blake Miguez: Currently, the governor, a parish president, a chief executive of a municipality, and a chief LEO of a political subdivision have different authorities to suspend the sales, transportation, and use of firearms during declared emergencies. This bill would strip away this authority and would affirmatively declare firearm manufacturers and dealers as essential businesses that cannot be forced to close for any reason during an emergency.
HB 746 by Rep. Ray Garofolo: Allows a person to carry a concealed firearm without a permit while evacuating an area pursuant to an evacuation order during a state of emergency or declared disaster.
HB 334 by Rep. Bryan Fontenot: Allows concealed carry in churches.
*thank you to Julie Schwam Harris and the Power Coalition for Equity and Justice for compiling this information
REGISTER TO VOTE
Tomorrow (June 10th) is the last day to register to vote in person or by mail for the July 11 Louisiana Presidential Primary. Please go to geauxvote.com or download the Geaux Vote App for more registration info. Check out info on July 11th ballot here.
Important dates:
June 10: deadline to register to vote in LA presidential primary by mail/person
June 20: deadline to register online
July 7: deadline to request mail ballot
July 10: deadline for registrar to receive mail ballot
June 20-July 4: Early Voting
July 11: Election Day
2020 CENSUS
Completing the census brings desperately needed federal resources to Louisiana. It only takes 5 minutes to complete online, so get to it.
****
Thank you for being here and for doing your part. This fight has many different fronts and this is one of them.
Louisianahbrah
The World is a Dumpster Fire: you're the hose, brah
Time to turn on that hose full blast, brah
Hello friends,
It has been a rough week and I know we are all exhausted, but there is nothing else to say except we must go on. We must stay engaged. We must hold our elected officials accountable because:
the systems of oppression that lead to George Floyd’s murder are built taller every single day in statehouses like our across the country.
It is all related. And the only reason Louisianahbrah exists is to help create a voice that will one day be loud enough to bring an end to these gross injustices.
In that vein, here are some quick updates and action items for you, my dear sweet friends, so you can hose down this dumpster fire we live in.
TAMPON TAX BILL PASSED
Rep. Aimee Freeman’s HB 328 finally passed the Senate! This is HUGE! This bill, which authorizes an exemption from local sales taxes for feminine hygiene products and diapers, has failed to pass for years. Holler at Rep. Freeman (hse098@legis.la.gov) to say thanks for FINALLY managing to get this bill across the finish line—with the slight caveat that is expires in December 2021 but we’re going to have to deal with that in 2021 bc, again, 2020 is a dumpster fire.
GUN BILLS
There are four gun bills that have passed swiftly through the House and Senate Committee. They are up for one final vote on the Senate floor, so please email your State Senator and tell him/her/prolly him to vote against it.
Find your legislator here. Enter your information and click on the link they give you for your Louisiana Senate district. That is your Louisiana State Senator! His/her email will be listed on his/her page. And then save that info bc we’re going to be reaching out to him/her a lot.
Use the following script:
Dear Senator __________,
I am writing in opposition to HB 140, HB 781, HB 746, and HB 334. These bills are misguided and limit my elected officials’ power to help us live safe lives in our communities.
Please reject this dangerous legislation and VOTE NO on HB 140, HB 781, HB 746, and HB 334.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code
CRIMINAL JUSTICE REFORM
Two important bills are up for a vote today (right now!) in Senate Judiciary B Committee:
HB 643 by Rep. Fred Jones caps parole at 5 years for all convictions moving forward.
HB 344 by Rep. Mandie Landry prohibits the use of solitary confinement for pregnant women.
Please email Committee members today by copy and pasting email addresses and script below:
Email addresses: "Hon. Gary Smith" <smithgl@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Joseph Bouie Jr. PhD, LCSW" <bouiej@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Cameron Henry" <henryc@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Ronnie Johns" <johnsr@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Mike Reese" <sen30@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Kirk Talbot" <talbotk@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Greg Tarver" <tarverg@legis.la.gov>
Script:
Dear Senator __________,
Please support HB 643 to cap parole at 5 years and HB 344 to prohibit the use of solitary for certain people, particularly pregnant women.
Thank you,
Name, address, zip
**a MASSIVE thank you to Julie Schwam Harris and Voice of the Experienced for compiling this information and making every day advocacy manageable**
Until next time,
Louisianahbrah
Tampon Tax Bill: THE LAST DANCE
Stay bleedy, my friends
Hello Brah-ettes and ally Brah-ers,
Ok! This is your last chance to be the Michael Jordan of tampon advocacy!
Rep. Aimee Freeman’s HB 328 (aka the Tampon Tax Bill or the Diaper Bill) has it’s final vote TODAY on the Senate floor. if it passes this vote, it passes for good! (Or at least until December 2021 but we’ll take what we can get….for now)
Quick reminder: this bill authorizes an exemption from local sales taxes for feminine hygiene products and diapers—an exemption that other essential items such as Viagra enjoy. Your voice is crucial here. This bill has failed to pass for several years and finally has a shot this time.
Please email your Louisiana State Senator before 5 pm TODAY, May 25th
STEP 1: Find your State Senator. Go to this link, enter your information and click on the link they give you for your Louisiana Senate district. That is your Louisiana State Senator! His/her email will be listed on his/her page.
STEP 2: Copy and paste the script below:
Dear Senator {NAME},
I write today to ask for your support for HB328 by Representative Aimee Freeman.
Louisiana families already struggled before the coronavirus pandemic to provide basic hygiene products like children and adult diapers, and feminine hygiene products. Allowing local municipalities to eliminate taxes on these products will give hardworking Louisiana families another measure of relief during difficult economic times.
HB328 is co-authored by Senators Regina Barrow and Beth Mizell, as well as 36 co-authors in the House, and also has the support of religious leaders and women across the state.
Please vote YES for HB328.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code
**********
Stay bleedy, my friends.
Louisianahbrah
Tampon Tax Bill: TIME TO SHINE
Stay bleedy, my friends
Hello Brah-ettes and ally Brah-ers,
Rep. Aimee Freeman’s HB 328 (aka the Tampon Tax Bill or the Diaper Bill) just got scheduled for a vote tomorrow in Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee. Quick reminder: this bill authorizes an exemption from local sales taxes for feminine hygiene products and diapers—an exemption that other essential items such as Viagra enjoy. Your voice is crucial here. This bill has failed to pass for several years and finally has a shot this time.
Please email Committee members before 1 pm on Thursday, May 21st by copy and pasting the email addresses and script below:
Email addresses: “Hon. R.L. Bret Allain” <allainb@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Jay Luneau” <luneauj@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Troy Carter” <cartert@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Eddie Lambert” <lamberte@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Patrick McMath” <sen11@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Barry Milligan” <sen38@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Karen Carter Peterson” <petersonk@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Rogers Pope” <poper@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Mike Reese” <sen30@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Gary Smith” <smithgl@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Rick Ward” <wardr@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Mack Bodi White” <whitem@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Louie Bernard” <sen31@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Joe Bouie” <bouiej@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Stewart Cathey” <sen33@legis.la.gov>, “Hon. Jay Morris” <morrisjc@legis.la.gov>
Script:
Dear members of the Senate Revenue and Fiscal Affairs Committee,
I write today to ask for your support for HB328 by Representative Aimee Freeman.
Louisiana families already struggled before the coronavirus pandemic to provide basic hygiene products like children and adult diapers, and feminine hygiene products. Allowing local municipalities to eliminate taxes on these products will give hardworking Louisiana families another measure of relief during difficult economic times.
HB328 is co-authored by Senators Regina Barrow and Beth Mizell, as well as 36 co-authors in the House, and also has the support of religious leaders and women across the state.
Please vote YES for HB328.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code
**********
Stay bleedy, my friends.
Louisianahbrah
NAH BRAH: Vote by Mail and More
Vote by Mail & More! Action items for this week in #lalege
Hello Brah-ettes & Brah-ers!
Welcome to Louisianahbrah’s first newsletter! There’s a lot going on this week, so we’re glad you’re here.
VOTE BY MAIL
Rep. Mandie Landry’s HB 419 is up for a vote tomorrow (May 19th) in House and Governmental Affairs Committee. HB 419 would expand access to voting by mail in Louisiana—currently Louisianians are only allowed to vote by mail if they have an "excuse" such as age or illness. Rep. Landry's bill would expand the ability to vote absentee by mail to include all eligible voters. This is absolutely crucial— Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin has passed an emergency election plan, but it is temporary and only applies to July elections. In addition, he has made it clear where he stands when it comes to expanding access to voting. Visit Louisiana Vote By Mail for more information and resources.
Please email committee members before 1 pm Tuesday, May 19th by copy and pasting the addresses & script below
Email addresses: "Hon. Stephen Dwight" <dwights@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Royce Duplessis" <duplessisr@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Beau Beaullieu IV" <hse048@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Wilford Carter" <hse034@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Les Farnum" <hse033@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Foy Gadberry" <hse015@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Charles Henry" <hse082@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Valarie Hodges" <hodgesv@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Dodie Horton" <hortond@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Barry Ivey" <iveyb@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Sam Jenkins" <jenkinss@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Mike Johnson" <hse027@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Jeremy LaCombe" <hse018@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Tanner Magee" <mageet@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Candace Newell" <hse099@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Rodney Schamerhorn" <hse024@legis.la.gov>, "Hon. Malinda Brumfield-White" <whitema@legis.la.gov>
Script (courtesy of Louisiana Vote By Mail):
Dear Chair & Members of the House & Governmental Affairs Committee,
I urge you to support HB 419 to allow vote by mail in Louisiana. People should feel safe when casting their ballot and giving people as many avenues to vote ensures that people feel safe while casting their ballot. This pandemic has exposed this problem and I am concerned that the emergency election plan you passed does not include people that live with at-risk family members, and of much greater concern it does not include the consequential November Election.
This bill would help to strengthen our voting system and bring it in line with over 30 other states in the country. None of which have reported any major instances of fraud.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code
****Extra points to throw in if you feel like getting wild:
Mention that 30+ states have already implemented this safe system. Louisiana has had a narrow vote-by-mail system for 20+ years and has seen 0 cases of voter fraud prosecuted.
The National Council of State Legislatures says that unrestricted vote-by-mail is the gold standard in election security due to the paper trail it leaves.
GUN BILLS
Four major gun bills passed out of House Criminal Justice Committee last week.
HB 140 by Rep. Blake Miguez: eliminates the authority of local governments to prohibit guns in commercial establishments and public buildings (including playgrounds and places that serve alcohol)
HB 781 by Rep. Blake Miguez: Currently, the governor, a parish president, a chief executive of a municipality, and a chief LEO of a political subdivision have different authorities to suspend the sales, transportation, and use of firearms during declared emergencies. This bill would strip away this authority and would affirmatively declare firearm manufacturers and dealers as essential businesses that cannot be forced to close for any reason during an emergency.
HB 746 by Rep. Ray Garofolo: Allows a person to carry a concealed firearm without a permit while evacuating an area pursuant to an evacuation order during a state of emergency or declared disaster.
HB 334 by Rep. Bryan Fontenot: Allows concealed carry in churches.
Next, these bills will be up for a vote on the House floor. Please email your State Representative with the following script and ask them to oppose ALL of these bills. Find your Legislator here.
Dear Representative __________,
I am writing in opposition to HB 140, HB 781, HB 746, and HB 334. These bills are misguided and limit my elected officials’ power to help us live safe lives in our communities.
Please reject this dangerous legislation and VOTE NO on HB 140, HB 781, HB 746, and HB 334.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code
TAMPON TAX BILL
HB 328 by Rep. Aimee Freeman passed the House! This bill authorizes an exemption from local sales taxes for feminine hygiene products and diapers. This is HUGE! This bill has failed to pass for years. Next it will be assigned to Senate Committee—we’ll let y’all know when and who to write!
PAID SICK LEAVE
Unfortunately, in a year where paid sick leave is even more important than ever, the Legislature failed to pass two important bills. HB 832 by Rep. Matt Willard and HB 797 by Rep. Royce Duplessis. Shout out to Rep. Willard and Rep. Duplessis for bringing such important legislation and fighting the good fight. Drop these two a line and say thanks for their efforts.
Email addresses: duplessisr@legis.la.gov, hse097@legis.la.gov
Script:
Dear Rep. Willard and Rep. Duplessis,
Thank you for all of your hard work on HB 832 and HB 797. We are proud to have you in the New Orleans delegation and we appreciate everything you do.
Sincerely,
Name, address, zip code
***************
Until next time, my friends.
Y’all go out and Nah Brah like a boss.
Louisianahbrah
Louisianahbrah Launch
LOUISIANAHBRAH HAS ARRIVED
On Monday night, we gathered at Saba to launch the next phase of You Can Ring My Bel. I want to thank Emily and Alon Shaya for so generously offering their beautiful space, the staff of Saba for donating their time to work the event, and everyone else who volunteered. I want to thank Phil Quinaz for setting such a bad ass mood with his sick jams and everyone on my host committee, particularly Walt Leger and Representative Royce Duplessis for their support and kind words. I want to thank everyone who donated—together we were able to raise $3,500, which will go a very long way to help this campaign stay independent and running. And finally, I want to thank everyone who came. Walking into that room and socializing under the soft pink glow of the Christopher Walken balloons was an act of bravery and an act of resistance—resistance against a false standard of decorum we’ve all been taught that we shouldn’t talk about politics. That it’s rude and uncouth.
Well, that isn’t flying anymore. I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again—WHOEVER TAUGHT YOU IT WAS RUDE TO TALK POLITICS HAD SOMETHING TO GAIN FROM YOUR SILENCE. And not only your silence, but our division. The only way we’re going to move forward is if we do it together, and luckily that’s something we’re really good at in Louisiana. We’ve always done our own thing and this new narrative that we’re a ruby red state and only play party politics is false. It is historically untrue and the goal of Louisianahbrah is to dispel it.
Which brings me to the next order of business: THE LAUNCH OF LOUISIANAHBRAH. Now that John Bel has been re-elected (thanks to each and every one of you), we’re pivoting the You Can Ring My Bel account to focus on general Louisiana politics. We will be changing the name to Louisianahbrah and our goal is to keep you informed and laughing and raging—among other things. We all know how big a year 2020 is, and this is our moment to show the rest of the country that we are here to stay. We have a point of view and it is distinct and Southern and progressive. We are not going anywhere.
Louisianahbrah is here to facilitate by:
introducing key players | demystifying the legislative process | promoting advocacy | creating a bad ass voting bloc
We’re going to be able to look our elected officials in the eye and tell them NAH BRAH. And they’re going to have to listen. So, spread the good word and share our new name when you see it popping up in your feed. Time to get it ready, ready for 2020.
Thank you again for showing up physically on Monday and virtually every other damn day. My good friend Gloria Steinem says that the magic happens when people gather in a room together to listen and be heard, and we have proven as a community that magic can be made on social media as well.
Cheers to you, my millennial, magical beings. Let’s show the rest of the country what’s up.
Marcelle
photos by Hunter Holder