Ron Faucheux: Where three gubernatorial candidates stand on issues

This is our third look at Louisiana’s gubernatorial contenders and their platforms, this time featuring John Schroder, Sharon Hewitt and Richard Nelson. They have three things in common: They’re Republicans, they’ve been state legislators and they reside in St. Tammany Parish.

On John Schroder’s website (johnschroder.com), he points out that “leading Louisiana toward prosperity is going to take experience and hard work,” and says he’s “exactly the right conservative to do it.” Schroder is the current state treasurer, a small-business owner and former narcotics detective.

On schools, Schroder says, “We need to reform our public education to ensure control is at the local level.” On crime, he supports closing “loopholes that allow violent criminals and drug dealers to walk free.” On corruption, he proposes reforming Louisiana’s “national reputation,” taking on “cronyism” and “backroom deals.”

On economic development, Schroder bemoans “overbearing governmental regulations” and pinpoints the need for “talent development,” including educating and training “our workforce for the jobs of the 21st century.” On taxes, Schroder proposes a 10-year phase-in of “tax reform for companies and the elimination of personal income tax.” He wants to do this “gradually to prevent a major deficit in the budget.” Schroder’s positions may be politically safe, but lack coherence and depth.

If elected, state Sen. Sharon Hewitt would become the first Republican woman governor of Louisiana. Her website (sharonhewitt.com) has a robust new issues section.

As an executive at Shell, Hewitt’s biography points out, she worked to cut company inefficiencies and waste. As a legislator, she’s advocated for “smaller government, better jobs and lower taxes.” She recently sponsored the “fortified roof” bill, aimed at lowering insurance rates, and has pushed legislation to crack down on clandestine labs that unlawfully manufacture fentanyl and carfentanil.

On education, Hewitt has worked for improved literacy and “back to the basics” teaching. She believes the state is already making progress and pledges as governor to support STEM education, TOPS, TOPS Tech and the Foster Promise Program.

To grow the economy, Hewitt cites what other “booming” Southern states have done that Louisiana hasn’t, including a “zero state income tax, a less litigious legal climate, and a more business-friendly environment.” She favors investment in a “reliable and affordable energy grid” and creation of a “regional port commission to allow our ports collectively to dominate ports in neighboring states.” She will pause state lawsuits “against 200 oil and gas companies with unsubstantiated claims of them violating their coastal zone permits.”

On Louisiana’s low workforce participation rate, she proposes to be “responsive to today’s quickly-evolving job market through dual-enrollment, apprenticeships, and industry-based certifications while in high school.” Hewitt is pro-life and pro-Second Amendment.

State Rep. Richard Nelson, the youngest candidate at 37, coined the best sound bite so far: “If Louisiana were just average in the country, we’d all live 4 years longer and get a 33% raise. That’s what bad government is costing us.” Throughout his website (nelsonforla.com), Nelson promises big ideas, and delivers.

Nelson wants to repeal the state income tax. How? By restructuring “the tax code, eliminating many loopholes and exemptions.” But filling that $2.7 billion hole in state revenues would be no easy task; it’s a complex challenge not fully explained.

Another Nelson idea is funding new infrastructure projects by lowering interest payments on state debt, including pension debt. Interesting, but how and when would the debt be reduced?

Nelson also talks about “keeping tax dollars in local communities” and “allowing local communities to invest in their roads, police, and schools.” On crime, he wants to “empower local governments to raise police pay, put more officers on the street, and invest in improving morale to recruit and retain police officers.” On education, he proposes raising teacher pay above the regional average.

Most of Nelson’s ideas point to fundamental reform of state and local governments, their basic functions and taxing powers. It’s a meaty topic that calls for more thought and discussion.

There you have it, the candidates and their platforms. Before we send one of them to the governor’s mansion, we need to know where they’ll take Louisiana in the years ahead.

Ron Faucheux is a nonpartisan political analyst, pollster and writer based in Louisiana. He publishes LunchtimePolitics.com, a nationwide newsletter on polls and public opinion.