Louisiana Democrats take stock after hitting 'rock bottom'

Louisiana Democrats taking stock after hitting 'rock bottom'

Dems in recovery: Democrats are taking stock after an election cycle that left them 'at rock bottom,' in the words of one party loyalist, Tyler Bridges reports. The party's misfortunes come amid internal rifts, though several Democrats have suggested paths forward.

Scalise vs. Graves: House Majority Leader Steve Scalise has suggested that U.S. Rep. Garret Graves helped undercut his recent bid to be House Speaker, Gordon Russell reports. Scalise hinted last week that Graves spread rumors that Scalise's cancer diagnosis was more serious than it was.

Insurance woes: Since successive storms threw the state's property insurance market into crisis, the Ascension Parish school system has paid twice as much for half its normal amount of insurance coverage, David Mitchell reports. Other school systems also say their premiums have shot up.

Numbers to Know

There are 32 public schools in Ascension Parish

_____

The system paid $1M for $100M of property insurance coverage in 2019

_____

It now pays $2.3M for just $50M of property insurance coverage

_____

Tangiphoa Parish schools pay 50% more in property insurance premiums

_____

St. Tammany Parish schools pay 38% more

_____

West Feliciana schools pay 65% more

_____

Source: Ascension Parish school system, Louisiana School Boards Association

Note: We deliver Inside Louisiana Politics thrice weekly. Got this email from a friend? Click here to be added to our list!