Meet the candidates: Candidates vying for Louisiana’s open Public Service Commission seat are set to participate in a forum taking place from 11:15 a.m. to 1 p.m. Thursday at Drusilla Place, 3482 Drusilla Lane. Hosted by Leaders with Vision, the forum aims to help members of the public get informed about the candidates and issues in the race. All three candidates in the race are Republicans. Damon Baldone and Lenar Whitney have confirmed their attendance, but Craig Greene, an orthopaedic surgeon, is scheduled to perform surgery at the time. The seat became open earlier this year after former Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle was appointed to a regulatory post in the Trump administration. Tickets for the forum are $25, and $20 for Leaders With Vision members. Get complete details and tickets.
Talk of the town: Gov. John Bel Edwards held a sixth round of talks on the state’s budget with Louisiana business leaders Tuesday, meeting this time in the Northshore area. Edwards met with elected officials and executives from companies like Sanderson Farms, Entergy and Shell Oil Company, among others, as he works to gain consensus on strategies to stabilize the state budget in the long-term and to address the looming $1 billion fiscal cliff next year. The Democratic governor has held similar discussions in Baton Rouge, Shreveport/Bossier City, New Orleans, Alexandria and Houma. Edwards says he has seen a willingness by business leaders to understand and play a role in solving Louisiana’s complex fiscal challenges.
Tested: Several months ago, Sen. Bill Cassidy appeared on Jimmy Kimmel Live, after saying any health care bill passed by Congress must pass the “Jimmy Kimmel test” and provide health care for all including those with preexisting conditions. Cassidy’s appearance took place after Kimmel revealed this infant son had open heart surgery and delivered an emotional monologue on the need for affordable health care for all. But on his show Tuesday, Kimmel slammed Cassidy and the bill, which deconstructs much of the Affordable Care Act and sends money to states via block grants. He accused Cassidy of being dishonest during his appearance on the show and said the bill fails to meet the standard the senator championed. Cassidy is defending his health care bill, saying it would protect more people including those preexisting conditions.
