BATON ROUGE, La. — Governor Jeff Landry inaugurated the 2025 legislative session today with a comprehensive State of the State address, emphasizing urgent reforms in insurance, education, and economic development.
Governor Landry identified Louisiana's escalating insurance costs as a critical issue, describing it as a "crisis that has gripped the nation and this State." He proposed empowering the Louisiana Department of Insurance to reject excessive rate increases and advocated for legislation to curb misleading attorney advertisements that promise unrealistic financial rewards.
In a pointed critique, Landry likened the roles of trial lawyers and insurance companies, stating, "The only difference between trial lawyers and insurance companies is that one wants to skin you from the ankle up and the other wants to skin you from the ear down."
The governor reaffirmed his commitment to educational reform through the Gator Scholarship Program, which has received over 35,000 applications. Governor Jeff Landry’s push to expand the LA GATOR school voucher program is facing early rumblings of resistance in the Legislature as lawmakers grapple with competing education funding priorities.
The program, one of Landry’s key legislative wins last year, is projected to cost the state $50 million in the upcoming fiscal year. But as officials work to finalize the budget, some legislators are questioning the wisdom of allocating more funds to private school tuition subsidies while the state struggles to maintain last year’s teacher pay levels.
Keeping public school teacher salaries steady will require an estimated $200 million in additional funding — a tall order amid broader budget constraints. The juxtaposition has left several lawmakers hesitant to back increased voucher spending, raising concerns about balancing support for private education without undermining public schools.
Addressing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) programs, Landry announced plans to eliminate what he termed "wasteful and divisive" initiatives from state universities, asserting that this move would eliminate indoctrination and refocus on education.
Economic Development
Landry pointed to a string of major economic development projects as signs that Louisiana is gaining ground as a national economic force.
Landry cited the launch of several major industrial and tech investments since last November’s special session, including a new Meta facility in Richland Parish, a Hyundai steel mill in Ascension Parish, an expanded Venture Global LNG plant in Plaquemines Parish, and an AI chip manufacturing facility by Radiance Technologies in Ruston.
“These projects are proof that Louisiana is open for business,” Landry said, adding that the state is attracting both traditional and emerging industries.
He also referenced a recent national survey showing Louisiana had the largest increase in state economic output rankings, jumping 13 places.
“We are not just joining the new industrial South—we are leading it,” Landry told lawmakers, framing the growth as a result of his administration’s focus on streamlining regulation and boosting infrastructure.
Following the recent rejection of four constitutional amendments by voters, Governor Landry acknowledged the outcome and expressed a commitment to continue pursuing reforms aimed at improving the state's economic and social landscape. He emphasized the need for unity and perseverance in the face of challenges.
MAHA: Promoting Healthier Lifestyles
Governor Landry expressed support for legislation under the MAHA initiative, inspired by national health campaigns, to reduce chronic diseases and promote wellness. He endorsed Senator Patrick McMath’s bill targeting ultra-processed foods in schools, advocating for healthier dietary options for students. Landry stated, "His legislation calls for us to curb ultra-processed food that is fueling chronic disease, incentivize better food choices, encourage active lifestyles, eliminate toxins from school lunches, and train physicians in nutrition-based treatments."
LA-DOGE: Enhancing Government Efficiency
Addressing fiscal responsibility, Landry highlighted the LA-DOGE initiative's efforts to identify and eliminate wasteful government spending. He announced that, starting April 26, the Louisiana Department of Health and the Office of Motor Vehicles will share data to verify Medicaid users' residency against driver's license records, a measure expected to save $50 million annually. Additionally, the initiative has already identified significant savings across various departments, including $11 million in the Department of Health & Hospitals and over $1 million in the Department of Energy & Natural Resources.
