Louisiana

How much will Gov. Jeff Landry’s criminal justice changes cost? State officials can’t say. – Louisiana Illuminator

Published

2 years ago

February 27, 2024

How much will Gov. Jeff Landry’s criminal justice changes cost? State officials can’t say. – Louisiana Illuminator

Gov. Jeff Landry has been clear about everything in his criminal justice package — except how much his proposals could ultimately cost Louisiana taxpayers.

At the behest of Landry, state lawmakers are swiftly pushing public safety bills through a special session of the Louisiana Legislature without knowing what the price tag for those tough-on-crime measures will be.

The Legislature’s financial analysts have not released cost estimates for Landry’s proposals, which are on a fast track to become law by the end of the week. Republican lawmakers sponsoring the bills have said the expense of the legislation ultimately isn’t relevant.

“I think people want to be safe and people are willing to spend money to be safe,” said House Appropriations Committee Chairman Jack McFarland, R-Jonesboro, who oversees state spending for the Legislature. “I’m inclined to think the benefits will outweigh the costs.”

But the budget impact of legislation from Landry’s crime special session looks to be substantial at a time where Louisiana is already coping with budget shortfalls.

The governor backs proposals to lengthen prison sentences and make it harder for incarcerated people to be released. The measures will likely increase Louisiana’s inmate population and cost the state more money for years to come.

Thirteen of Landry’s 21 criminal justice bills that are more than halfway through the legislative process would add to state spending, according to fiscal notes attached to the legislation. Budget analysts said those items would cause an “indeterminable increase” in the state’s financial obligations.

Bills to lengthen prison sentences for carjacking, increase penalties for illegal use of a weapon and almost entirely eliminate parole are among the most expensive. They could, in theory, grow the prison system’s expenses by more than $11 million each per year if the harshest sentences are almost always given out, according to the analysts.

‘We will find a way…’

Republicans backing the legislation say the costs are worth it because public safety is essential.

“Where there is a priority, we will find a way to pay for it,” said Rep. Debbie Villio, R-Kenner, a former prosecutor and sponsor of legislation to eliminate parole.

“I’m not touting this as a fiscally responsible bill, right?” Villio said during debate in the House of Representatives over her proposal last week.

Those added expenses for the prison system could exacerbate future state budget gaps.

Louisiana expects to face annual financial shortfalls of over half a billion dollars starting in 2025. A 0.45% portion of the state sales tax expires next year that will leave the state short on money, and Landry’s additional public safety spending would make it harder to close those budget holes.

Landry also has other expensive public safety measures in the works. He also launched a plan to add a state police troop in New Orleans that is expected to cost $10 million over just the next four months.

“My question is where are we going to find the money to pay for this?” Senate President Pro Tempore Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge, said.

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GOP cutbacks

Over the past year, Republicans have been willing to pick over several other budget proposals in the name of fiscal responsibility.

Due to the planned sales tax cut next year, Landry and GOP lawmakers have said they don’t think the state can afford to give public school teachers a permanent raise.

The governor also stripped funding for several programs, including domestic violence shelters, from his state budget proposal in an effort to cut public spending. Landry also issued an executive order last month directing state agency heads to look for savings and budget cuts within their own departments.

The governor’s own public safety bills haven’t been subjected to the same scrutiny.

“I haven’t seen that [cash] machine yet, but we’ve got some money coming from somewhere,” Sen. Gerald Boudreaux, D-Lafayette, joked last week during a discussion of the financial impact of Landry’s crime legislation. “I don’t want to get to the point where we ignore the fiscal part of these plans.”

Lawmakers are moving the governor’s public safety bills so fast that the fiscal analyses of proposals haven’t even been completed.

Legislative staff are still waiting on information from the Department of Public Safety and Corrections, the Louisiana Sheriffs Association and the Louisiana District Attorneys Association to finish their financial impact reports for nine bills, according to their notes.

‘They’ll issue a blank check’

The lack of data hasn’t stopped the legislation from moving forward. The proposals are expected to get their final votes before the end of the week.

“Conservatives, especially, when it comes to public safety, they’ll issue a blank check,” said Scott Peyton, director of Right on Crime, a conservative organization that advocates for less incarceration.

A few Republican lawmakers also said they expect the financial impact of lengthening prison sentences to not be as extreme as the legislative analyses suggest. More severe sentencing should deter people from committing crimes in the first place, they said.

“People should be less willing to commit crimes if the penalties are stiffened,” said Sen. Glen Womack, R-Harrisonburg, who is the head of the Senate Finance Committee that oversees the budget.

Studies show increasing criminal penalties doesn’t correlate to a safer public, however. Over the past 20 years, 19 states — including Texas and Mississippi — lowered their prison populations and crime rates by investing in rehabilitative programs for formerly incarcerated people and prison alternatives, according to the Vera Institute for Justice, an organization advocating for less incarceration.

“Research consistently shows that higher incarceration rates are not associated with lower violent crime rates,” wrote Don Stemen, with the Department of Criminal Justice and Criminology at Loyola University Chicago, in a report for Vera.

Louisiana also tried the tough-on-crime approach for decades with little success. For 30 years, legislators ramped up penalties and prison sentences to try to make the state safer, but the states continued to have one of the country’s highest crime rates.

Former Gov. John Bel Edwards decided to change that approach in 2017, when he and state lawmakers decided to cut prison sentences and greatly expand parole and probation opportunities. The new bipartisan strategy allowed the state to save millions of dollars on incarceration expenses over seven years, while diverting money into crime prevention programs and victim services.

Yet Landry has blamed Edwards crime justice overhaul for the spike in violent crime that occurred during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. Republicans are also frustrated by ongoing problems with teenagers in the juvenile justice system who have destroyed and escaped from state facilities around Louisiana.

“We keep talking about the financial costs of these bills… but investing in these bills is investing in saving lives,” said Sen. Heather Cloud, R-Turkey Creek, who supports Landry’s criminal justice package.

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Louisiana

Pervy mayor’s kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

Published

11 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Pervy mayor’s kids told cops that they caught her romping with teen boy at boozy pool party

The children of a disgraced Louisiana mayor told cops that they both caught their mom fooling around with a 16-year-old boy at a boozy pool party, according to video played at her rape trial.

Misty Roberts, the 43-year-old former head of DeRidder, Louisiana — population 9,8000 — faces a charge of third-degree rape over the 2024 incident.

Roberts’ son told investigators in an interview played for jurors that he saw his mom having sex with his pal through a crack in a window.

Misty Roberts is accused of having sex with a 16-year-old boy in 2024.

But, when asked about his recollection, he demurred — telling the court he wasn’t exactly sure what he saw that night, according to KPLC.

The jury also reviewed pictures from the party, which showed kids holding drinks as well as a photograph of Roberts and the victim that prosecutors described as “lewd.”

That picture showed Roberts at the party in her bikini, with the teen victim looking up at her smiling.

Roberts’ son texted his mom that night, incredulous about what was happening, and told her that his sister was crying, according to messages presented by prosecutors.

“He is seventeen,” the son texted Roberts.

The boy was later confirmed to be 16 years old, according to KPLC.

Roberts’ daughter also took the stand while prosecutors played her interview with detectives, in which she said she saw her mom and the boy “on top of each other” that night.

The former mayor’s nephew also admitted he tried to sneak a peek — using his phone to try and get a peek at what was going on in the room. He testified that he wasn’t sure if he hit “record” — but if he did said he never sent it to anybody.

Roberts was in her second term as mayor when she resigned. 7 KPLC

None of the three witnesses who testified said they saw the “private parts” of Roberts and the victim. The teen boy, they noted though, was shirtless.

After the alleged tryst, the victim’s mother texted Roberts to ensure that she was not pregnant, to which she replied she was on birth control. Roberts shared a screenshot of that message to a group chat with her friends, who urged her to take Plan B.

A DoorDash driver testified that he delivered an emergency contraceptive to Roberts’ house, which he recognized from trick-or-treating with his children there.

In other texts shown in court, Roberts asked her son what kind of alcohol her son and other kids wanted for the party.

Days after police launched their investigation into the alleged crime, Roberts resigned as mayor of DeRidder, a city of just under 10,000 people about 20 miles east of the Texas border.

Roberts was charged with third-degree rape and contributing to the delinquency of juveniles.

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Louisiana

Louisiana Lottery Powerball, Pick 3 results for Feb. 28, 2026

Published

23 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

The Louisiana Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big.

Here’s a look at Feb. 28, 2026, results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

06-20-35-54-65, Powerball: 10, Power Play: 4

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

8-3-8

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

5-4-7-5

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 5 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

9-9-1-3-0

Check Pick 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Easy 5 numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

04-17-21-27-33

Check Easy 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lotto numbers from Feb. 28 drawing

08-10-15-21-22-33

Check Lotto payouts and previous drawings here.

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All Louisiana Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $600. For prizes over $600, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at Louisiana Lottery offices. Prizes of over $5,000 must be claimed at Lottery office.

By mail, follow these instructions:

Sign and complete the information on the back of your winning ticket, ensuring all barcodes are clearly visible (remove all scratch-off material from scratch-off tickets).
Photocopy the front and back of the ticket (except for Powerball and Mega Millions tickets, as photocopies are not accepted for these games).
Complete the Louisiana Lottery Prize Claim Form, including your telephone number and mailing address for prize check processing.
Photocopy your valid driver’s license or current picture identification.

Mail all of the above in a single envelope to:

Louisiana Lottery Headquarters

555 Laurel Street

Baton Rouge, LA 70801

To submit in person, visit Louisiana Lottery headquarters:

555 Laurel Street, Baton Rouge, LA 70801, (225) 297-2000.

Hours: 8 a.m. to 4:30 p.m., Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at Louisiana Lottery.

When are the Louisiana Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 9:59 p.m. CT Monday, Wednesday and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 10 p.m. CT Tuesday and Friday.
Pick 3, Pick 4 and Pick 5: Daily at 9:59 p.m. CT.
Easy 5: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.
Lotto: 9:59 p.m. CT Wednesday and Saturday.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Louisiana editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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Louisiana

Schumer demands congressional brief on Iran; Louisiana delegation weighs in on attack

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Schumer demands congressional brief on Iran; Louisiana delegation weighs in on attack

NEW ORLEANS (WVUE) – Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.) demanded a congressional briefing from President Trump’s administration Saturday (Feb. 28), hours after the U.S. military joined Israel in launching airstrikes against Iran.

“When I talked to Secretary (of State Marco) Rubio, I implored him to be straight with Congress and the American people about the objectives of these strikes and what comes next,” Schumer said in a statement. “Iran must never be allowed to attain a nuclear weapon, but the American people do not want another endless and costly war in the Middle East when there are so many problems at home.

“The administration has not provided Congress and the American people with critical details about the scope and immediacy of the threat. Confronting Iran’s malign regional activities, nuclear ambitions and harsh oppression of the Iranian people demands American strength, resolve, regional coordination and strategic clarity. Unfortunately, President Trump’s fitful cycles of lashing out and risking wider conflict are not a viable strategy.

“The administration must brief Congress — including an immediate all-senators classified briefing — and in public testimony to answer these vital questions. The Senate should quickly return to session and reassert its constitutional duty by passing our resolution to enforce the War Powers Act. My prayers are with our brave American servicemembers.”

Meanwhile, reaction to the attack from Louisiana’s congressional delegation appeared to break predictably among party lines.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.) posted to X that the attack “is yet another move by President Trump to protect the United States and sends a message to the world: Never doubt America’s resolve or capacity to defend its interests.”

For years, the Iranian Regime has chanted “Death to America,” targeted our troops, weaponized their terrorist proxies, and killed tens of thousands of innocent people, including Americans. Today, President Trump made it clear: their reign of terror is over.
The President has…
— Steve Scalise (@SteveScalise) February 28, 2026

Rep. Troy Carter (D-La.) of New Orleans, however, said he was “deeply concerned” about the attack and said, “The American people deserve to understand the objectives, the risks and the path forward.”

Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-La.) wrote, “The President’s decision to attack Iran presumably was based upon a clear and present danger to the United States, and a planned execution that does not put the United States in a forever war.”

The President’s decision to attack Iran presumably was based upon a clear and present danger to the United States, and a planned execution that does not put the United States in a forever war. We pray for the safety and success of our servicemen and servicewomen.
— U.S. Senator Bill Cassidy, M.D. (@SenBillCassidy) February 28, 2026

Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.), who is mounting a primary challenge for Cassidy’s U.S. Senate seat, also endorsed Trump’s decision to attack Tehran.

Iran is the world’s leading sponsor of terrorism and actively plots to kill Americans. President Trump’s decisive strikes send a message that America will not tolerate Iran’s threats to our national security. May God bless our troops and keep them safe as we confront radical… https://t.co/P5IVxiBi2p
— Congresswoman Julia Letlow (@RepJuliaLetlow) February 28, 2026

Speaker of the House Mike Johnson (R-La.) also backed Trump’s military action, writing that Iran was “facing the severe consequences of its evil actions.”

Today, Iran is facing the severe consequences of its evil actions. President Trump and the Administration have made every effort to pursue peaceful and diplomatic solutions in response to the Iranian regime’s sustained nuclear ambitions and development, terrorism, and the murder… https://t.co/G5XPELtAmX
— Speaker Mike Johnson (@SpeakerJohnson) February 28, 2026

Democratic Rep. Cleo Field expressed reservations that Trump had not made a case for the attack to Congress or the American people.

This morning, the United States, in coordination with Israel, launched strikes against Iran — a significant military action with serious consequences for our national security.
While I understand the gravity of the threat, the process here cannot be ignored. The War Powers Act…
— Congressman Cleo Fields (@RepFields) February 28, 2026

Republican Sen. John Kennedy had not yet posted reactions to the Iran attack — dubbed by the Pentagon as “Operation Epic Fury” — on social media or sent statements to the news media.

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