Pelican Policy

Register Now for Solutions Summit 2022: The Comeback

Mark your calendar! On March 7th, the Pelican Institute will be hosting its 2022 annual Solutions Summit at the Hilton Capitol Center in Baton Rouge. Solutions Summit attendees will get an exciting opportunity to listen to and engage with high-profile policy, community, and legislative leaders from Louisiana and beyond. Throughout the day, attendees will get...

By Aly Rau

RELEASE: U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Federal Vaccine Mandate

The nation’s Highest Court sides with the 5th Circuit decision to shelve the mandate, won by Liberty Justice Center, Pelican Institute attorneys on behalf of Louisiana business owner Brandon Trosclair (BST Holdings LLC) and Texas workers NEW ORLEANS— This afternoon the U.S. Supreme Court blocked in a 6-3 decision a federal vaccine mandate that would...

By Ryan Roberts

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Stay of Illegal OSHA Vaccine Mandate

In a 6-3 decision, the U.S. Supreme Court has issued a stay of the OSHA employer vaccine mandate, pending further review by the Sixth Circuit Court of Appeals. In layman’s terms, that means the rule cannot go into effect until the legal process is complete, and the Court sent the case back to the Sixth...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Over Half of People Leaving Louisiana are Looking for Work

Everyone in Louisiana knows a friend or family member that has left the state to find work. A report by United Van Lines confirmed that Louisiana had the eighth-highest percentage of people leaving the state with over half of them moving to find work. In the United Van Lines study, Louisiana was the only southern...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

RELEASE: Pelican Institute Seeks to Expand Opportunities for Louisianans With the Addition of Erin Bendily As VP for Policy and Strategy

For media requests contact Ryan Roberts (ryan@pelicaninstitute.org) NEW ORLEANS—The Pelican Institute for Public Policy announced today that Erin Bendily has assumed the role as Vice President for Policy and Strategy. She will spearhead the Institute’s research and policy strategy as well as drive a transformational education reform agenda to ensure every kid has the opportunity...

By Ryan Roberts

OpEd: Coastal Credit Schemes Are a Paper Tiger for Coastal Restoration

Originally Appeared in the Center Square For years, frivolous lawsuits levied by a few coastal parishes against hundreds of oil and gas companies have created a chilling effect that has stopped investment and pushed countless jobs out of Louisiana. While Louisiana’s coastline is a vital resource that protects our state from natural disasters, these lawsuits...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Civil Asset Forfeiture Hurts Innocent Louisianans

Louisiana is one of the worst states in the country in regards to civil asset forfeiture. While some states require a criminal conviction before property can be seized, Louisiana allows private property to be seized whether someone is found guilty of a crime or not. Louisiana offers little to no protection against frivolous seizures which...

By Raheem Williams

Amicus Curiae Brief Filed to Protect The First Amendment

The U.S. Supreme Court will consider two challenges to mandatory bar membership in January 2022. Lawyers in Oklahoma and Texas who are forced to join their states’ bar associations as a condition of practicing law filed petitions for writs of certiorari asking the Court to affirm the First Amendment rights of the hundreds of thousands...

By Sarah Harbison

Brandon’s Vaccine Mandate Challenge is Headed to the Supreme Court

Last week, the Pelican Institute and Liberty Justice Center filed an Emergency Application for Writ of Stay with the U. S. Supreme Court in our OSHA vaccine mandate challenge. We are asking the Supreme Court to reinstate the stay the U. S. Fifth Circuit issued while the courts consider the merits of the OSHA vaccine...

By Sarah Harbison

I’m Dreaming of a New Car Buying Experience This Christmas

Do you think Christmas car commercials are as ridiculous as I do? You know the ones I am talking about. The ones that are playing nonstop as you try to watch football on the weekends. A spouse comes downstairs on Christmas morning to find a brand-new car or truck in the driveway and is overjoyed...

By Eric Peterson

Our Work Isn’t Done: Let’s Empower Parents in 2022

This summer, I penned an article in response to a national study conducted about the ability of parents to address their child’s educational needs throughout the COVID-19 pandemic. The study revealed that when their child’s education was disrupted, many families simply did not have the ability to act and seek other educational options. As we...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Last Jobs Report of the Year Brings A Spot of Much Needed Good News

The December state jobs report from the Bureau of Labor Statistics showed Louisiana was one of the 40 states to make significant gains in employment adding 8,500 jobs from October to November. This comes on the heels of the national jobs report where more than 210,000 new jobs were added in November, bringing the national...

By Eric Peterson

Economic ‘Freedom’ Study Ranks Louisiana Below Average

The Cato Institute has released this year’s edition of the “Freedom In the 50 States” index. Louisiana ranked below average in the study, which looked at state and local policies within the “fiscal, regulatory and personal realms” and used those policies to create a numerical list to rank all 50 states. Among the issues noted...

By Daniel J. Erspamer

Statement: The Pelican Institute Congratulates The Newly Elected BESE Officers

BATON ROUGE— CEO of the Pelican Institute, Daniel Erspamer released the following statement after new officers were elected for the Board of Elementary and Secondary Education (BESE). “Congratulations to BESE members Jim Garvey, Kira Orange Jones, and Sandy Holloway for being elected to serve as officers of BESE. We thank former president Sandy Holloway for...

By Ryan Roberts

We believe every Louisianan should
have the opportunity to flourish.

Register Now for Solutions Summit 2022: The Comeback

Register Now for Solutions Summit 2022: The Comeback

RELEASE: U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Federal Vaccine Mandate

RELEASE: U.S. Supreme Court Blocks Federal Vaccine Mandate

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Stay of Illegal OSHA Vaccine Mandate

U.S. Supreme Court Issues Stay of Illegal OSHA Vaccine Mandate

Over Half of People Leaving Louisiana are Looking for Work

Over Half of People Leaving Louisiana are Looking for Work

RELEASE: Pelican Institute Seeks to Expand Opportunities for Louisianans With the Addition of Erin Bendily As VP for Policy and Strategy

RELEASE: Pelican Institute Seeks to Expand Opportunities for Louisianans With the Addition of Erin Bendily As VP for Policy and Strategy

OpEd: Coastal Credit Schemes Are a Paper Tiger for Coastal Restoration

OpEd: Coastal Credit Schemes Are a Paper Tiger for Coastal Restoration

Civil Asset Forfeiture Hurts Innocent Louisianans

Civil Asset Forfeiture Hurts Innocent Louisianans

Amicus Curiae Brief Filed to Protect The First Amendment

Amicus Curiae Brief Filed to Protect The First Amendment

Brandon’s Vaccine Mandate Challenge is Headed to the Supreme Court

Brandon’s Vaccine Mandate Challenge is Headed to the Supreme Court

I’m Dreaming of a New Car Buying Experience This Christmas

I’m Dreaming of a New Car Buying Experience This Christmas

Our Work Isn’t Done: Let’s Empower Parents in 2022

Our Work Isn’t Done: Let’s Empower Parents in 2022

Last Jobs Report of the Year Brings A Spot of Much Needed Good News

Last Jobs Report of the Year Brings A Spot of Much Needed Good News

Economic ‘Freedom’ Study Ranks Louisiana Below Average

Economic ‘Freedom’ Study Ranks Louisiana Below Average

Statement: The Pelican Institute Congratulates The Newly Elected BESE Officers

Statement: The Pelican Institute Congratulates The Newly Elected BESE Officers

Register Today for the 2022 Solutions Summit: The Comeback