In an exclusive interview with American Thought Leaders, Louisiana Governor Jeff Landry discussed the significant milestones of his first year in office, his commitment to educational reform, and plans for continuing to improve Louisiana’s economic climate.
From public safety to education, tax reform and election integrity, Landry’s administration has made strides in key areas. Below is a detailed summary of the conversation.
Major Milestones in Governor Landry’s First Year
Governor Landry shared that his administration “hit the ground running” in January 2024. Within a year, he oversaw three special sessions and a regular legislative session, pushing his agenda forward at a rapid pace. Some of the major reforms that marked his first year included:
- Criminal Justice Reform: Landry emphasized his focus on supporting victims and ensuring that criminals serve time for their actions. As a result of these reforms, the city of New Orleans—once one of the most dangerous in the world—saw a significant 50% decrease in murders, reaching the lowest levels since the 1970s.
- Educational Reforms: Landry celebrated educational achievements, such as the introduction of Educational Scholarship Accounts (ESAs) for children with disabilities and those from low-income backgrounds. Additionally, Louisiana’s educational rankings improved dramatically, from 50th place to 32nd in the nation. Landry attributed this progress to strategic reforms, including support for the state’s educational board (BESE), led by conservative appointees.
- Tax Reform: The governor also took a bold step in reforming Louisiana’s tax system, flattening the state’s income tax to 3% and eliminating the corporate franchise tax. While he didn’t achieve everything he desired, Landry considered these reforms a significant victory in improving Louisiana’s tax policies.
- Teacher Pay and Senior Deductions: Landry’s tax reform efforts also included provisions to secure permanent pay raises for teachers through responsible fiscal policies, alongside increased deductions for seniors. A ballot initiative in March will address these reforms, further advancing Landry’s commitment to improving public services.
- Election Integrity Reform: Replace outdated voting machines with more secure, transparent options. This move is part of his broader initiative to ensure that Louisiana’s election system is robust, transparent, and reliable.
Education: From 50th to 32nd in Rankings
Governor Landry attributed Louisiana’s dramatic improvement in educational rankings to a combination of efforts, particularly the reorganization of the state’s Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). By appointing conservative members and empowering Superintendent Cade Brumley, Landry’s administration introduced bold reforms that included reducing bureaucratic obstacles for teachers and refocusing on foundational subjects like reading, writing, and arithmetic.
“The biggest reason for these improvements,” Landry explained, “is that teachers now feel empowered. They believe they have a governor, a BESE board, and a superintendent who support them.”
Despite the challenges of educational reform, including systemic bureaucracy, Landry believes that when teachers are liberated from non-educational distractions, students experience tangible benefits. He also expressed pride in the ongoing efforts to provide school choice to families, particularly through the newly implemented ESA program, bringing back the Ten Commandments in public schools and the elimination of CRT and DEI (Critical Race Theory and Diversity Equity and Inclusion).
Controversial Moves: Ten Commandments and Critical Race Theory
Governor Landry’s stance on certain educational issues sparked debate. One of the most contentious decisions involved the inclusion of the Ten Commandments in public schools. “I didn’t realize the Ten Commandments were a bad way to live your life,” Landry remarked. Despite criticisms that it could elevate Christianity above other religions, Landry emphasized that the Ten Commandments are recognized across multiple faiths, including Judaism and Islam. He argued that their presence in schools is consistent with the nation’s historical foundation and the separation of church and state as outlined in the U.S. Constitution.
On the topic of Critical Race Theory (CRT), Landry proudly pointed to his administration’s ban on CRT in K-12 education. He believes that policies like CRT and Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) are divisive and detract from the core goal of education, which is unity. Louisiana’s improved education ranking, Landry contended, is partly due to removing such divisive concepts from the curriculum.
Election Integrity and Transparency
Governor Landry also discussed his efforts to improve election integrity in Louisiana, including plans to replace outdated voting machines from 1990 with more secure, transparent options. The prior governor had thwarted the secretary of state’s ability to change the machines. Landry emphasized that future elections will include paper ballots.
Louisiana is going to institute an election system under which a voter votes and gets a receipt. There will be an actual paper ballot that that voter can look at and say, “This is how I want to vote.” That is scanned in and tabulated, and then that receipt is put in a box so that we can reconcile that with the voting. “That is the way that it should be, right?” That is a way to not have to depend on electronic voting machines. There are too many transactions happening in that. We are giving voters confidence that their elections are based upon a solid foundation.
The Impact of the Trump Administration on Louisiana
Landry noted that many of the initiatives spearheaded by the Trump administration have been beneficial to his efforts in Louisiana. He mentioned the president’s stance on issues such as school choice, protection of women’s sports, and eliminating policies like DEI, which align with the governor’s own legislative goals. Landry believes that President Trump’s actions give legislators in Louisiana the courage to pass reforms that may have been difficult in the past, furthering the state’s agenda.
Economic Growth and Manufacturing in Louisiana
Looking to the future, Landry is focused on improving Louisiana’s economic landscape. He pointed to the state’s role as a key player in U.S. manufacturing, particularly in the refining sector, which accounts for approximately 23% of the nation’s refining capacity. With strong infrastructure, including electrical generation, transportation, and oil and gas reserves, Landry believes Louisiana is well-positioned for growth in manufacturing.
He also highlighted recent successes, including the announcement of Meta’s $10 billion investment in a new AI facility in northeast Louisiana. Landry attributes this success to his administration’s tax reforms and efforts to streamline the regulatory environment for businesses. He encouraged potential investors to consider Louisiana’s advantages, including its favorable business environment and skilled workforce.
A Look Ahead
As for what’s next, Governor Landry outlined his plans to tackle bureaucracy and improve Louisiana’s regulatory agencies. He mentioned specific initiatives like reorganizing the Department of Transportation and continuing to refine Louisiana’s tax policies to make the state more attractive to businesses and residents alike. Furthermore, Landry is determined to make Louisiana “open for business” and enhance the quality of life for its citizens.
In closing, Landry reiterated his commitment to making Louisiana a better place to live and work. He encouraged people to stay engaged and continue supporting the state’s progress.
You can view this interview on the Thought Leaders, Epoch Times
This article was written with the assistance of AI. Please verify information and consult additional sources as needed.
