State of Louisiana Archives: on Budget & Economy
Bill Cassidy:
Stimulus bill includes extraneous items
Cassidy says he would vote for an $800 billion stimulus package if its spending measures were "timely, targeted and temporary." Cassidy argues the $820 billion bill that passed the House without a Republican vote is "two bills tied into one."
It includes a job-creation bill with tax cuts and infrastructure projects that would work, along with needed increases in Medicaid, and a spending bill that is unrelated to stimulating the faltering economy.
Source: Business Report on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Feb 5, 2009
Bill Cassidy:
Stimulus package opposed; will hurt economy
Cassidy says that he voted against the stimulus package that was chosen, but instead voted for a stimulus that gave $80 billion to construction projects. This number was cut to $29 billion in the package that was passed.
Cassidy points out that the unbiased Congressional Budget Office has said that the stimulus package that passed will likely hurt our economy in ten years, because it borrows so much money, leaving no money to expand our economy.
Source: Legal Lines with Locke Meredith: 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Feb 5, 2009
Bill Cassidy:
Stop out-of-control spending & end earmarks
Bill believes Washington needs to stop out-of-control spending and lower taxes for small businesses and families.
He's been an outspoken advocate against earmarks and believes that we must reform our spending programs if we hope to leave sustainable safety nets for our future generations.
Source: Vote-USA.org on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Oct 22, 2014
Bill Cassidy:
Eliminate blatant waste, fraud & abuse that plagues country
Q: What government spending would you reduce in order to balance the budget?A: We must start by eliminating the blatant waste, fraud and abuse that plagues our country. I have already passed legislation like the
EGO Act and the MEGABYTE Act to eliminate wasteful government spending. I have also passed legislation to close loopholes costing taxpayers billions of dollars on prescription drug prices.
Source: AFA iVoterGuide on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Nov 3, 2020
Bill Cassidy:
Supports bipartisan proposal for $500 billion in state aid
Worst off of all [economically under the pandemic]? That would be Louisiana. Take away oil, restaurants, and tourism, and the Big Easy is in big trouble. It could be facing a budget hole equal to 34% of its 2019 revenues.
The fact that Louisiana is currently facing a dark pit of fiscal despair might have something to do with why one of its Republican senators, Bill Cassidy, has bucked his party and endorsed a bipartisan proposal to provide $500 billion in aid to states.
Source: Slate e-zine on 2020 Louisiana Senate race
Apr 29, 2020
Bill Cassidy:
Supported the $1.2 billion bipartisan infrastructure bill
The $1.2 trillion infrastructure is over five to eight years It won't worsen inflation, it will create jobs. The $1.2 trillion is good for the United States of America. It would be bipartisan, representing the interest of all 50 states, not just those
represented by Democrats. It actually addresses pent-up demand for roads and bridges in my state, across the nation, and other things important.
Source: Fox News Sunday 2021 interview of Louisiana Senator
Jul 18, 2021
Charles Melancon:
Stimulus package will avoid God-awful recession like 1980s
Melancon voted for the stimulus package, saying he recalled the 1980s, the last time the country faced an economic collapse. "It was pretty God awful," Melancon said.Vitter criticized the measure as wasteful spending.
Today, unemployment stands at 10 percent with about 80 percent of the stimulus money dedicated. "It immediately increased spending and debt," Vitter said. "At the same time, I didn't think it would lead to significant job creation."
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 18, 2010
Charles Melancon:
TARP package will avoid depression from doing nothing
Bush's Wall Street bailout, or Troubled Asset Relief Program, led to $700 billion in government money going to financial institutions in danger of collapsing. Melancon said he voted for the bill after consulting with business leaders and economists who
feared an economic free fall. "They all agreed that doing nothing would lead us into a depression," Melancon said.At every turn, Vitter tried to thwart the program. He introduced legislation aimed at blocking the use of $250 billion of the TARP money,
which was approved in two installments. He called for any money returned to the federal government by the institutions taking part in the program to be dedicated to reducing the federal deficit instead of supporting further spending. Vitter also wanted
an ending date for the program. "It played out to do what I feared, to expand the power and the role of the federal government," Vitter said.
Vitter's proposed measures did not pass. The government has received most of its money back.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 18, 2010
Clay Higgins:
Insidious lust for power and money drives deficit spending
A balanced budget must be the top priority of a new Congress. America is nearly $20 Trillion in debt. The insidious lust for power and money, wielded by career politicians who have seized power in DC, is what drives deficit spending.I will join the
fight for a balanced budget amendment. We also must dismantle most, if not all, of the so called "4th branch" of government, AKA the "Alphabet Branch" of government. These massive bureaucracies--like the IRS, the EPA, the DoE (the list goes on)--not
only devour the People's treasure, they also operate outside of the parameters of Constitutional control.
I support greatly diminishing or eliminating the "4th Branch" of our federal government. I support the Constitutional process to establish a
balanced budget amendment to our Constitution. I support a freeze of federal spending at contemporary levels coupled with a 1% decrease in spending across the board for 10 years.
Source: 2016 Louisiana House campaign website CaptainHiggins.com
Dec 10, 2016
David Vitter:
Stimulus package won't lead to significant job creation
Melancon voted for the stimulus package, saying he recalled the 1980s, the last time the country faced an economic collapse. "It was pretty God awful," Melancon said.Vitter criticized the measure as wasteful spending.
Today, unemployment stands at 10 percent with about 80 percent of the stimulus money dedicated. "It immediately increased spending and debt," Vitter said. "At the same time, I didn't think it would lead to significant job creation."
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 18, 2010
David Vitter:
TARP package will expand power & role of federal government
Bush's Wall Street bailout, or Troubled Asset Relief Program, led to $700 billion in government money going to financial institutions in danger of collapsing. Melancon said he voted for the bill after consulting with business leaders and economists who
feared an economic free fall. "They all agreed that doing nothing would lead us into a depression," Melancon said.At every turn, Vitter tried to thwart the program. He introduced legislation aimed at blocking the use of $250 billion of the TARP money,
which was approved in two installments. He called for any money returned to the federal government by the institutions taking part in the program to be dedicated to reducing the federal deficit instead of supporting further spending. Vitter also wanted
an ending date for the program. "It played out to do what I feared, to expand the power and the role of the federal government," Vitter said.
Vitter's proposed measures did not pass. The government has received most of its money back.
Source: Baton Rouge Advocate on of 2010 Louisiana Senate debate
Oct 18, 2010
Eddie Rispone:
No specifics on budget cuts; try to control spending
Rispone said he would try to control spending. He said the state government wouldn't automatically grow under his leadership, but he also couldn't say what government funding he would cut.
He said he's an "outsider" who is not familiar enough with state government to provide those specifics.
Source: Times-Picayune on 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Mar 19, 2019
Eddie Rispone:
Balance budgets, and build up reserves
As a businessperson, it always it always amazed me, how do we have a balance budget deficit? When state law says we have to have a balanced budget, we cannot have an unbalanced budget. How do you have a surplus when you raise taxes?
Because it's the taxpayers' money, it is over-taxation. I'd look at it from a business standpoint, our budgets would be balanced like they supposed to be. And then we would figure out why we have we don't have the reserves inside that budget.
Source: Bayou Buzz Transcript of 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate
Sep 23, 2019
Garret Graves:
Free enterprise instead of assuring livable income
Q: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity?
GRAVES: Strongly Agree
Q: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income?
GRAVES: Strongly Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Gary Chambers:
Has been an advocate for Biden's Build Back Better plan
Chambers has long been aligned with the progressive wing of the Democratic Party. He has vocally supported the Green New Deal, Medicare for All and a $15-per-hour minimum wage.In recent months, he has been an advocate for
President Joe Biden's Build Back Better plan, which has stalled in Congress but would greatly expand the Child Tax credit, provide free early childhood education and devote billions of dollars to combating climate change while raising corporate taxes.
Source: WRKF 89.3 FM (NPR) on 2022 Louisiana Senate race
Jan 11, 2022
John Bel Edwards:
Blind allegiance to Grover Norquist cripples our economy
Edwards criticized the Governor's very rosy picture of the Louisiana economy saying, "The fact is, our Governor's blind allegiance to Grover Norquist has crippled our state budget and our economy." Edwards cited low oil prices as causing only one
quarter of the current $1.6 billion budget shortfall.Rep. Edwards outlined key facts about the state of Louisiana's economy that paint a much different picture than the one offered up by the
Governor during his remarks to the legislature. "Under the Jindal administration our unemployment rate is the nation's third highest, our job growth is slower than the rest of the nation's--
1 percent compared to 2.4 percent nationally--and our bond rating moved to "negative" under Bobby Jindal saddling every public body in the state with higher borrowing costs," Edwards said.
Source: Response to 2015 Louisiana State of the State address
Sep 9, 2015
John Bel Edwards:
We paid off billions of deficit; and we shouldn't go back
Q: Over the last four years, the state has gone from a multi billion dollar budget deficit to a multi million dollar surplus. Part of the reason was an increase in sales tax. Is it time to cut the burden on Louisiana taxpayers?A: We came together
and did the hard work necessary by focusing on cuts & savings, supported by a Republican legislature. We now are running surpluses because the economy is performing better. Last year, we did cut, by $650 million, the sales tax burden.
And the worst thing we can do as a state is go back to a structural budget deficit that we just came out of that we had for the better part of 10 years, where we're now making investments.
Q: The sales tax though is about half a cent higher than it
was when you took office?
A: That's correct. Four years ago.
Q: So would you find a way to cut taxes in a different area?
A: We don't agree that we should cut taxes until we know that we won't go back into a structural budget deficit.
Source: Bayou Buzz Transcript of 2019 Louisiana Gubernatorial debate
Sep 23, 2019
John Bel Edwards:
Federal funds allow us to move on big ticket projects
We are all tired of the jokes about knowing you've entered Louisiana when the roads get bad. Every state is struggling to update their infrastructure. And since becoming governor, we've invested nearly $4.7 billion in projects, including
6,312 miles of our highways, in order to change that narrative. We've made significant progress, but the funds we are receiving from the federal government will allow us to catapult big ticket projects from talk to action.
Source: 2022 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Mar 14, 2022
John Neely Kennedy:
Be concerned about economy, but not scared
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
John Neely Kennedy:
Balanced budget amendment to restore fiscal responsibility
Across America, families are required to live within a budget because they understand that you cannot spend more than you take in. Yet, Washington does not understand this basic idea. Washington is on a spending spree that's hurting our economy.
It's time that we go back to the basics and balance the budget.John Kennedy will restore fiscal responsibility in Washington. As Louisiana's State Treasurer, he stood up against powerful politicians and special interests to oppose government waste,
fraud and abuse.
John will help end the wasteful practice of pork-barrel spending. Louisianans know the difference between government spending designed to help a politician--which is shameful and wasteful--and spending designed to help hurting people.
Deficit spending is affecting the economy as well. John supports a balanced budget amendment to the Constitution. Just like American families, Congress must learn to live within its means.
Source: 2016 Louisiana Senate campaign website JohnKennedy.com
Aug 31, 2016
Luke Mixon:
Infrastructure spending is not "stupid," it's what's needed
Senator Kennedy was willing to spend billions to build up Iraq and Afghanistan, but he calls bipartisan funding for infrastructure in Louisiana "wasteful spending" and "stupid stuff." The bipartisan infrastructure bill repaves our roads, repairs our
bridges, upgrades our water infrastructure, expands broadband access, shores up our coastline, and creates thousands of good paying jobs. That's not stupid stuff. That's what Louisiana families desperately need!
I believe in a fair wage for an honest day's work. We must create an economy that serves everyone, not just those at the top. That means we need to create more jobs that pay a living wage, but
Senator Kennedy has voted against numerous pieces of legislation, like the bipartisan infrastructure bill, that would have secured thousands of good-paying jobs for Louisianans.
Source: 2022 Louisiana Senate campaign website LukeMixon.com
Jul 19, 2021
Mary Landrieu:
Opposed $700 billion bailout; not enough taxpayer safeguards
Both candidates offered differing views of how to ease the national economic crisis. Kennedy said federal officials should suspend accounting rules that financial industry representatives blame for exacerbating the problems.Landrieu opposed the
$700 billion financial market bailout backed by the White House and approved by Congress. But she also said that she supports government-guaranteed loans between banks and the use of federal tax dollars to buy stocks in banks to shore up the financial
system: both plans pushed by the Bush administration, using the authority and money from the bailout bill.
When he was allowed to ask Landrieu a question, Kennedy asked why she now supports elements of the bailout bill: "What made you change
your mind?"
"I didn't change my mind," she replied. "I did vote against the bailout package because I didn't think there were enough safeguards for taxpayers."
Source: Associated Press on NOLA.com on 2008 Louisiana Senate Debate
Oct 16, 2008
Mike Johnson:
Balance the budget; reduce licensing requirements
What we need today is a free market solution that makes economic mobility and opportunity readily available for everyone. A system that protects economic freedom reduces the interference of government and allows for unfettered innovation, the creation
of new jobs and economic growth.- Lead the Charge for a Balanced Budget: At more than $19 trillion, the national debt now exceeds our gross domestic product and is completely unsustainable. Congress should be required to spend and borrow following
the same logical principles as our families and small businesses: balance our checkbooks. We can no longer saddle our children and grandchildren with a debt they can't possibly repay.
- Eliminate Unreasonable Licensing Requirements: In America, we
shouldn't need to obtain a costly permission slip from the government to go to work and provide for our families. Congress should do all in its power to make it easier for people to enter the workforce, not more difficult.
Source: 2016 House campaign website MikeJohnsonForLouisiana.com
Dec 10, 2016
Ralph Abraham:
Free enterprise instead of assuring livable income
Q: Free enterprise and the right to private property turn mankind's natural self interest into the fairest and most productive economic system there is, and are the key to national prosperity?
ABRAHAM: Strongly Agree
Q: It is the government's responsibility to be sure everyone has health care and a livable income?
ABRAHAM: Disagree
Source: Faith2Action iVoterGuide on 2014 Louisiana House race
Sep 30, 2014
Luke Mixon:
I support the bipartisan infrastructure deal
Senator Kennedy voted against the bipartisan infrastructure bill and its good-paying jobs, calling it "wasteful spending" and "stupid stuff." The bipartisan infrastructure isn't stupid stuff. It repaves our roads, repairs our bridges, ensures that every
family has access to clean drinking water, expands broadband access for rural and inner-city communities, and restores our coastline while creating thousands of good-paying union jobs in Louisiana. I support the bipartisan infrastructure deal.
Source: 2022 Louisiana Senate campaign website LukeMixon.com
Oct 12, 2022
Shawn Wilson:
Made the largest infrastructure investment in state history
We got innovative, tapped into federal funding we had never used before, and created the largest infrastructure investment in state history--5.5 billion dollars, more than 2,000 projects, including 162 bridges--7,000 miles of road improvements.
We broke ground on the Comite Diversion Project, dredged the Mississippi River to 50 feet, and we've made unprecedented investments in ports, rail, and flood control.
Source: Bossier Press-Tribune on 2023 Louisiana Gubernatorial race
Mar 6, 2023
John Schroder:
State government should operate based on what it can afford
State government should operate based on what it can afford, not try to fund its wants on the backs of the taxpayers.
I treat every penny like a dollar and believe the government can too.
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website JohnSchroder.com
Oct 4, 2023
Sharon Hewitt:
One of the best ways to ignite the economy is build things
One of the best ways to ignite the economy is to build things. And Louisiana has a $15B backlog of roads, bridges, ports, and airports that need to be built, upgraded, repaved, or expanded. I will revamp the Department of Transportation to maximize our
dedicated transportation dollars for actual engineering and construction, rather than overhead. And I will shorten the cycle time required for projects by pushing more money and decision-making to the local districts.
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website SharonHewitt.com
Oct 3, 2023
Shawn Wilson:
Fully fund "Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund"
- Work with the elected Commissioner of Insurance to attract competition into the market to reduce the number of homeowners that have to seek policies with the insurer of last resort, and find premium relief for Louisianans
-
Work with the state legislature to fully fund and ensure effective results of the "Insure Louisiana Incentive Fund" to bring insurers back into the market, create more competition, and lower rates
Source: 2023 Louisiana Governor campaign website WilsonForLA.com
Oct 5, 2023
Jeff Landry:
Budget won't rely on any pandemic-related federal funds
Last year, we managed to reduce spending by $2 billion compared to the previous year. This year's budget has been crafted without relying on any additional pandemic-related federal funds. We anticipated a $558 million deficit for this year's budget.
However, our tax reform efforts last year have helped stabilize our financial situation. For too long, our state has prioritized government expansion and tax increases without considering the burden on taxpayers. We are changing this approach.
Source: 2025 State of the State Address to the Louisiana legislature
Apr 14, 2025
Bill Cassidy:
Congress needs to fix Washington's spending problem
The solution to Washington's spending problem will never be taking more money from American families. While Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer are trying to elect more liberals to raise your taxes, I have worked to put more money in your pocket.
Republicans passed the largest tax cut in a generation and are working to eliminate waste, fraud and abuse in government. Congress needs to fix Washington's spending problem and we need more fiscal conservatives in office to do it.
Source: 2026 Louisiana Senate campaign website BillCassidy.com
Mar 20, 2025
John Fleming:
I don't think we should raise the debt ceiling
Regarding the debt ceiling, he said if he were in office, he would seek to "leverage"
debt ceiling increases to lower spending, adding, "I don't think we should raise the debt ceiling."
Source: FOX News on 2026 Louisiana Senate race
Jan 24, 2025
Page last updated: Mar 14, 2026