Landry addresses second regular session, promises insurance reform

(The Center Square) – Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry opened his second regular legislative session today, outlining a bold agenda centered on insurance reform, improving public health and reorganizing the Department of Transportation and Development. Speaking to lawmakers and citizens, Landry emphasized his commitment to addressing Louisiana’s challenges while building on last year’s progress. The governor highlighted past achievements, including crime reduction, education reform through the LA GATOR Scholarship Program, and economic growth driven by tax reform. He touted major investments, such as Meta’s $10 billion AI Data Center and Venture Global’s $18 billion expansion, which has promised thousands of jobs. A key focus in Landry’s speech was insurance reform, calling the state’s high rates a “crisis.” The legislature is expected to file a torrent of bills to help address insurance rates, which are among the highest in the nation. He criticized both insurance companies and lawyers for failing to deliver on promises to lower costs, proposing measures like restricting deceptive attorney ads, adopting Texas’ collateral source rule, and empowering the Insurance Commissioner to reject excessive rates. “I’m not here to support lawyers or insurance companies,” Landry said. “I’m here to help Louisianians.” Landry also introduced the “Making Louisiana Healthy Again” initiative, led by the “MAHA MOMS,” to combat obesity and chronic diseases through better nutrition, local farming, and active lifestyles. He praised Tulane University’s culinary medicine program as a model for healthier communities. Finally, Landry proposed modernizing DOTD to improve infrastructure and public trust, alongside continued fiscal discipline, noting a $1 billion reduction in state funding this year.