Policy Reports
Consumer-Focused Property Insurance Reform: Lessons Learned from Florida
After a series of storms devastated Louisiana in 2020 and 2021, many insurance providers fled the [...]
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Louisiana’s Comeback Agenda
It’s time to write Louisiana’s comeback story.
For too long, poor public policy decisions have [...]
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The Proposed Freeport McMoran Settlement: Ineffective by Design
The proposed settlement is heralded by some as a major victory, supposedly securing $100 million [...]
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A Principled Pathway to a Model Louisiana Constitution
Constitutional reform in Louisiana can provide a pathway to a state government that fosters [...]
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Environmental Credits: Do They Live Up To Their Promises?
Over the last decade, coastal Louisiana parishes have filed a total of 42 lawsuits against more [...]
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The Proper Role For States In Antitrust Lawsuits
As courts, Congress, the Department of Justice, and the Federal Trade Commission consider [...]
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Memo: Information about the Freeport/Mosaic Settlement Agreement
Background about the settlement agreement Over the last decade, coastal Louisiana parishes have [...]
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Improving Louisiana’s Business Climate
Louisiana’s business climate consistently ranks among the worst in the nation. The state’s heavy [...]
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Reforming the Legal & Regulatory System in Louisiana
Louisiana’s current legal and regulatory environment stifles opportunities for job seekers [...]
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The Cost of Lawsuit Abuse: An Economic Analysis of Louisiana’s Coastal Litigation
Louisiana has a serious litigation problem when it comes to the state’s economic growth. [...]
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New Report Gives Louisiana a “C” for its Worker and Taxpayer Protection Laws
Louisiana all too often finds itself at the bottom of all the good lists, and at the top of the bad [...]
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2024 Legislative Update CLE/CPE Series
Calling all Louisiana lawyers and CPAs! It’s time for Pelican Institute’s annual Legislative Update [...]
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The Texas Supreme Court recently handed a significant victory to taxpayers, and Louisiana lawmakers should take note.
In Borgelt v. City of Austin, the Goldwater Institute and the Texas Public Policy Foundation joined [...]
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Integrated Resource Plans: Planning for Louisiana’s (and Your) Electricity Future
Highlights Like most states, Louisiana’s electricity utilities operate as monopolies, meaning [...]
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Louisiana’s Legislative Leap: Unleashing Economic Potential Through Strategic Reforms
As the Louisiana Legislature advances, it is crucial to recognize that several transformative [...]
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Demystifying HB 800: A Closer Look at Louisiana’s Call for a Groundbreaking Constitutional Convention
HB 800 by Rep. Beau Beaullieu is the most talked-about, and most misunderstood, bill of the 2024 [...]
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A Common-Sense Constitution
Common-sense is too often in short supply in politics. The entrenched special interests digging in [...]
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FACT-Government Union Reforms Empower Workers, Not Union Executives
FACT-Government Union Reforms Empower Workers, Not Union Executives This spring, the Louisiana [...]
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Unveiling the Louisiana Public Service Commission: Enhancing Electricity Affordability and Reliability
Is your electricity bill becoming a burden? Look no further than the Louisiana Public Service [...]
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Reform before the Storms: Can Louisiana’s New State Leaders Fix the Homeowners Insurance Crisis?
While crime took center stage throughout the 2023 campaign cycle, the availability and rising cost [...]
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Expanding Options Within Louisiana’s Electricity Market: Could Lower Electricity Bills Be on the Way?
Louisiana has struggled to keep people and businesses from leaving the state. Between July 2021 and [...]
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Union Contracts Trample Louisiana Public School Teachers’ and Employees’ Rights
Baton Rouge, Louisiana – The United States and Louisiana Constitutions guarantee religious and [...]
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Candidate Questionnaire 2023
Does your candidate support jobs and opportunities in Louisiana? Election Day 2023 is fast [...]
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Government Cronyism Exposed in Louisiana Coastal Drilling Lawsuit
In a staggering revelation, Louisiana Secretary of the Department of Natural Resources (DNR) Thomas [...]
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Louisiana: Judicial Hellhole
December’s arrival means that it is time to take stock of the year that was. “Best of” and “Worst [...]
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Local Leaders Push Back Against Coastal Lawsuit Abuse
Last week, a three-judge panel from the U.S. Fifth Circuit Court of Appeals ruled that a state [...]
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Federal Judge Blocks Overreaching Government Mandates on Head Start
Today, a judge in Louisiana’s Western District ruled that the federal government cannot mandate [...]
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Lawsuit Abuse is Not a Solution for Louisiana’s Coast
In Louisiana, we have a knack for running job creators off to our neighboring states. One of the [...]
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Steps to Build a Model Louisiana Constitution
Louisiana’s 1974 constitution has outlived its usefulness. Since its ratification more than forty [...]
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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 [...]
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New Orleans Cracks Down on Small Businesses
Fresh off a decisive re-election victory, New Orleans Mayor, LaToya Cantrell has decided to begin [...]
Read moreRELEASE: New Report Uncovers the Truth Behind the Proposed Freeport-McMoRan Settlement
The Pelican Institute’s report shows that despite claims that the proposed Freeport-McMoRan [...]
Read moreHow States Should Think About Antitrust
There are fewer policy topics more talked about, and less understood than antitrust. Many Americans [...]
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163,000 State Regulations Stifle Opportunity in Louisiana
Last week, A new report from FreedomWorks Foundation came out grading all 50 states on the openness [...]
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How Does a Veto Override Session Work?
It’s official. As of midnight on Thursday, July 15, 2021, the Louisiana legislature is heading into [...]
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Changes to the Public Records Request Laws are a Potential Roadblock to Government Transparency
Louisiana’s public records statutes are designed to facilitate, rather than hinder, public access [...]
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Its Time to Bring Reform to the River Pilots
Louisiana has a long history of boards and commissions that lock out competition and exert enormous [...]
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Emergency Powers Bill Passes Committee, Statement from Pelican CEO
Today, the Louisiana House and Government Affairs Committee passed House Bill 4, which will add [...]
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Protect Life and Liberty in a Pandemic
Did Louisiana’s government infringe on the rights of its citizens with its COVID-19 mandates? [...]
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Officials Misusing the Term Monopoly to Further Political Goals
Last Wednesday’s Congressional antitrust hearing often had little to do with actual discussions of [...]
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Victory in Fight Against Lawsuit Abuse in Louisiana
On Thursday, Governor John Bel Edwards signed House Speaker Clay Schexnayder’s HB 57, which [...]
Read morePelican Applauds Legislature on Passage of Significant Legal Reform
Today, the Louisiana Legislature passed HB 57 by Speaker Clay Schexnayder, the Civil Justice Reform [...]
Read morePelican Statement: Governor Vetoes Key Legal Reform
Today, Gov. John Bel Edwards vetoed a critical piece of legal reform legislation. Louisiana’s [...]
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To Reverse Its Course, Louisiana Must Have Lawsuit Reform
Louisiana has a problem. With the release of each new job and economic growth report, we get more [...]
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Another Study Proves the Need for Louisiana Legal Reform
It’s become common for Louisianans to experience sticker shock while paying their car insurance [...]
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Pelican Institute Comments on Privacy Rights, New IRS Rule
The right to support organizations that you believe in is a core American principle. The First [...]
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Wall Street Journal Cites Pelican Lawsuit Abuse Study
Louisiana’s lawsuit abuse climate has caught the eye of the Wall Street Journal, and a recent [...]
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Constitutional Reform Needed to Bring Jobs and Opportunity to Louisiana
In the last week, there has been a rise in discussion throughout Louisiana over what a potential [...]
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Lawsuit Abuse is Killing Jobs and Opportunity in Louisiana
Lawsuit abuse is killing jobs and driving away economic opportunity for working families and job [...]
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Vaping Regulations Would Stifle Opportunity for Louisianans
This week, the Pelican Institute joined groups around the country in signing a letter opposing [...]
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Happy Constitution Day!
September 17th is a historic day. On this date in 1787, the delegates of the Constitutional [...]
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“I’ll take ‘Potent Potables’ for $500, Alex.”
Louisiana has a long and storied history when it comes to its alcohol. The state that gave Bourbon [...]
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LAWSUIT ABUSE AND NEEDLESS REGULATIONS ARE HOLDING LOUISIANA BACK, PELICAN INSTITUTE SAYS
As Louisiana lawmakers seek to make our state more inviting to job creators and seekers, there are [...]
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SCOTUS Upholds St. Tammany Landowners’ Rights in Dusky Frog Case
The big case over the “little frog that might” and the federal government’s encroachment on private [...]
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The Little Frog That Might
The Little Frog That Might Once upon a time there lived a small frog in Louisiana that adorably [...]
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Occupational Licensing In Louisiana: Anti-Job, Anti-Growth
Onerous Licensing Laws in Louisiana Licensing laws in Louisiana have always been onerous. We are, [...]
Read moreLouisiana Ranked Worst for State Lawsuit Climate
A recent survey from the U.S. Chamber of Commerce has identified Louisiana as the worst state in [...]
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Louisiana Breweries Are Being Harmed By Regulations
The Brewers Association, a beer industry non-profit, has ranked Louisiana 48th out of the 50 states [...]
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Levee Breach Lawsuit Illustrates Class Action Racket
This case is a stunning example of class action lawyers doing what they do best: using lawsuits to [...]
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Guest Commentary: Lawsuit Reform in the 2014 Legislative Session
The Louisiana Legislature kicked off the 2014 regular session last week, beginning a series of [...]
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Our Response to Senator Durbin
Last week the Pelican Institute was one of many organizations to receive a remarkable letter from [...]
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It’s Time to Lay This Case to Rest
To put it simply, offering families a less inexpensive burial option allowed grieving families to [...]
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Engulfed By Environmental Crimes: Overcriminalization on the Gulf Coast
Texas, Louisiana, Mississippi, Alabama, and Florida all border the Gulf of Mexico and between these [...]
Read moreSix Reasons to Reject National Popular Vote
On Monday, Louisiana’s House of Representatives is expected to vote on HB 1095. This bill would [...]
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Guest Commentary: Obama Mangles Lincoln on the Role of Government
In his 2012 State of the Union address President Obama defends his personal convictions regarding [...]
Read moreStudy Alleges Louisiana Has Largest Male-Female Wage Gap In U.S.
Although Louisiana may have the widest wage gap in the country, many academics point to factors [...]
Read moreLouisiana’s Anti-Debt Resolution Fuels Movement for Constitutional Amendment
Big spenders in Congress who continue to inflate the national debt at the expense of future [...]
Read morePresident Obama’s Race, Gender Preferences Cut Against Growing Anti-Discriminatory Sentiments
President Obama's health care, banking and stimulus all include controversial quota requirements [...]
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Sen. Vitter Will Continue to Target Obama Czars With New Legislation
Sen. David Vitter's amendment to defund existing czar positions and block new appointments to these [...]
Read moreRep. Cassidy Joins with Newt Gingrich and Herman Cain to Denounce “Anti-Energy” Policies
Rep. William Cassidy of Louisiana joined with Newt Gingrich, Herman Cain and other presidential [...]
Read moreNationwide Anti-War on Drugs Rally Coming to New Orleans
On the eve of the 40th anniversary of President Richard Nixon’s declaration of a “War On Drugs,” [...]
Read moreLouisiana the Most Over-Governed State in the South
A sophisticated analysis of freedom across state lines finds Louisiana the least free of the former [...]
Read moreCommentary: Longhorn State Gets Tougher On Lawsuits; Will Louisiana Follow Suit?
'Loser pays' laws will severly hamper the will of parties to engage in baseless, cash-grabbing lawsuits.
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New Research: State-Initiated Amendments to Repair Our Constitutional Republic
The Pelican Institute has released three pieces of research to clear the air over the National Debt [...]
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Speed Camera Ban Deferred at Senate Committee
Today, the state legislature deferred SB 75, which would have prohibited local municipalities from [...]
Read moreControversial Designer Drugs Face Ban in Louisiana
Several states, including Louisiana, are stepping up the fight against the latest designer drugs - [...]
Read moreAutomated Speed Cameras Face State-Wide Ban
As Louisiana municipalities struggle to mend their financial straits, New Orleans Mayor Mitch [...]
Read moreEqual Pay for Women Act Brings Battle of the Sexes to Life in Louisiana
Rep. Norton has reintroduced the Equal Pay for Women Act, which would give the state power to [...]
Read moreReview: Atlas Shrugged Part I
Financier John Aglialoro and director Paul Johansson have finally brought a film adaptation of [...]
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‘Atlas Shrugged’ Opens in Theaters Tonight
Today, Ayn Rand's 1957 novel 'Atlas Shrugged' makes it's big screen debut across the country, [...]
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U.S. District Court Rules in Favor of Louisiana Monks’ Unlicensed Casket Sales
The monks of St. Joseph Abbey have just won a victory in their case against economic protectionism [...]
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U.S. Property Rights Protections Decline for Third Straight Year
An international comparative study that measures the protection of physical and intellectual [...]
Read moreBook Review: Rollback
American historian and scholar of Austrian economics, Thomas Woods this week published his most [...]
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Book Review: Libertarianism Today
Libertarianism for dummies! (and a refresher for the rest of us!)
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Commentary: ACORN Whistleblower Launches Tea Party as Tribute to MLK’s Vision
As Louisiana residents observe the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday, they should know that a new Tea [...]
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States May Check Federal Government with Constitutional Amendments
Louisiana’s Noble Ellington endorses Amendment seeking to “restore balance of state and [...]
Read moreControversial New Book Seeks to Revive Nullification
Thomas Woods argues that “Constitution has become non-issue to federal government” According [...]
Read moreHonduras “Open for Business”
Trade Summit signals Louisiana-Honduras relationship set to bloom NEW ORLEANS—Nine days after [...]
Read moreLouisiana Congressmen Join Chinese Officials to Promote Free Trade
Boustany and Cao highlight opportunities for state and call for aggressive action to resolve trade [...]
Read moreLouisiana Monks Face Jail For Selling Caskets
This morning, the Institute for Justice filed a major federal lawsuit on behalf of a group of monks [...]
Read moreGulf State Residents Bring Message to Capitol
Victims, activists, and trade representatives join forces to oppose shut-down of Gulf oil industry [...]
Read moreCalifornia’s Failure a Lesson for Other States
In a previous blog post we noted that public-sector unions impose higher labor costs, increase [...]
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