JOHN BEL EDWARDS’ HISTORY OF VOTING TO RAISE HIS PAY & TAKING ADVANTAGE OF PERKS

In May 2008, Edwards voted for a measure that would have doubled the salary of all lawmakers. Governor Jindal eventually vetoed the bill.

In 2010, Edwards opposed a measure that would have frozen the amount of per diem expenses lawmakers would have received for two years.

Edwards opposed unpaid holidays for state lawmakers.

In 2009, Edwards used his exclusive access as a legislator to purchase LSU tickets at face value.

PAY RAISESIn 2008, The Original SB 672 Legislation Would Have More Than Quadrupled The Salary Of All Lawmakers And Would Double The Amount Of Vouchered Expenses

SB 672 Would Raise The Salary Of All Lawmakers From $16,800 To A Minimum Of $70,000. “The committee, at the request of Sen. Ann Duplessis, D-New Orleans, amended her Senate Bill 672, which started out to set the salary of all lawmakers at a minimum of $70,000. Lawmakers now receive a base salary of $16,800 plus $6,000 a year in unvouchered expenses.” (Ed Anderson, “Legislative Pay Raise Vote Put Off By Panel,” Times-Picayune, 5/6/08)

“All Lawmakers Would Still Receive The $143-A-Day Per Diem Allowance For Every Day In Session But The Bill Would Prohibit Them From Getting Paid The Per Diem To Attend Committee Meetings Between Sessions.”  (Ed Anderson, “Legislative Pay Raise Vote Put Off By Panel,” Times-Picayune, 5/6/08)

“The Bill Also Would Raise The $500 A Month Lawmakers Now Get In Unvouchered Expenses To $1,000.”  (Ed Anderson, “Legislative Pay Raise Vote Put Off By Panel,” Times-Picayune, 5/6/08)

The Bill Was Seen As “A Money-Grab That Is Breathtaking Even By Louisiana Standards”

“If Passed, SB 672 Would Quadruple Lawmakers’ Pay From $16,800 A Year To $70,000 A Year.” (Op-Ed, Our View: Arrogance Has A New Name: Senate Bill 672,” Daily Town Talk, 4/9/08)

“In Addition, It Would Triple Legislators’ Monthly Expense Allowance -- To $1,500 For Representatives And $3,000 For Senators.” (Op-Ed, Our View: Arrogance Has A New Name: Senate Bill 672,” Daily Town Talk, 4/9/08)

“The Bill Also Retains Mandated Automatic Increases For Other Expenditures, Based On Increases Paid By The Federal Government.” (Op-Ed, Our View: Arrogance Has A New Name: Senate Bill 672,” Daily Town Talk, 4/9/08)

“Senate Bill 672, Filed By Sen. Ann D. Duplessis, D-New Orleans, Is A Money-Grab That Is Breathtaking Even By Louisiana Standards.” (Op-Ed, Our View: Arrogance Has A New Name: Senate Bill 672,” Daily Town Talk, 4/9/08)

“It Also Is An Affront To Every Taxpayer Who Demanded Change For The Better.” (Op-Ed, Our View: Arrogance Has A New Name: Senate Bill 672,” Daily Town Talk, 4/9/08)

SB 672 Was Amended To Increase Lawmakers' Salaries By Over $20,000

SB 672 Would Increase Members Of The Legislature Salary From $16,800 To $37,500. (“SB 672 Digest,” Louisiana Legislature, 10/13/15)

SB 672 Would Have Provided Salary Adjustments If There Was An Increase In The Consumer Price Index. (“SB 672 Digest,” Louisiana Legislature, 10/13/15)

(“SB 672 Digest,” Louisiana Legislature, 10/13/15)

Edwards Voted Yea On SB 672

Edwards Voted Yea On SB 672. (“SB 672,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

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(“SB 672,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

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SB672 Was Vetoed

SB 672 Was Vetoed By The Governor. (“SB 672,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

(“SB 672,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

Per Diem Expenses

2010’s HB 1390 Would Freeze Amount The Per Diem Expenses Lawmakers Would Receive

“Legislators’ Per Diem Would Be Frozen For The Next Two Years Under A Bill That Cleared A House Panel Thursday.” (Marsha Shuler, “Panel Endorses Freeze On Legislator Per Diem,” The Advocate, 4/30/10)

“House Bill 1390 Now Heads To The House Floor.” (Marsha Shuler, “Panel Endorses Freeze On Legislator Per Diem,” The Advocate, 4/30/10)

“The Per Diem Amount Is Adjusted Annually With The Federal Rate, Today, Per Diem Is $159, It Has Risen From $113 In 2005.” (Marsha Shuler, “Panel Endorses Freeze On Legislator Per Diem,” The Advocate, 4/30/10)

“Richard's House Bill 1390 Would Freeze The $159 From July 1 To July 1, 2012.” (Marsha Shuler, “Panel Endorses Freeze On Legislator Per Diem,” The Advocate, 4/30/10)

HB 1390 “Changed The Amount Of The Per Diem For Members Of The Legislature From The Rate Allowable For Per Diem Deduction Under Federal Law To $159 Per Day For Two Years Beginning July 1, 2010.” (“HB 1390,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/21/15)

(“HB 1390,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/21/15)

Edwards Voted Against The Freezing Of Per Diem Expenses

Edwards Voted Nay On HB 1390. (“HB 1390,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/21/15)

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(“HB 1390,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/21/15)

Unpaid Holidays

Edwards Voted Against A Bill That Authorized The Governor To Order Legal Holidays To Be Unpaid

HB 1478 Would Provide The Governor Authority To Order Unpaid Holidays For State Employees. (“SB 1478,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

(“SB 1478,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

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Edwards Voted Nay On HB 1478. (“SB 1478,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

(“SB 1478,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

HB 1478 Failed House Final Passage. (“SB 1478,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

(“SB 1478,” Louisiana Legislature, Accessed 10/7/15)

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LSU TICKETSEdwards Used His Exclusive Access As A Legislator To Purchase LSU Tickets

“More Than 75 Percent - 112 Out Of 143 - Of All Legislators Opted To Buy The Two Super Regional Tickets Offered To Each Of Them By LSU For The Sold-Out Weekend Series.” (Jordan Blum, “Legislators Buy LSU Tickets,” The Advocate, 6/6/09) 

“Legislators Do Still Have To Pay $30 Each For The Ticket Books To The Weekend's LSU Games Versus Rice University.” (Jordan Blum, “Legislators Buy LSU Tickets,” The Advocate, 6/6/09) 

“There Also Are Legislators Who Have No Intention Of Going To The Games, But They Set Their Tickets Aside For Constituents Or Other Legislators Because Of The High Ticket Demand.” (Jordan Blum, “Legislators Buy LSU Tickets,” The Advocate, 6/6/09) 

“Tickets Were Not Available Friday At Online Web Sites Such As Stubhub.Com Or Ticketsnow.Com.” (Jordan Blum, “Legislators Buy LSU Tickets,” The Advocate, 6/6/09) 

“But Standing-Room Only Tickets For The Weekend Were Available On Ebay.Com Ranging From $250 To $400.” (Jordan Blum, “Legislators Buy LSU Tickets,” The Advocate, 6/6/09) 

Edwards Chose To Buy Or Allowed Other Legislators To Buy Their LSU Tickets. “House members who chose to buy or allow other legislators to buy their LSU tickets: Reps Neil Abramson, D-New Orleans; Andy Anders, D-Vidalia; James Armes, D-Leesville; Jeff Arnold, D-New Orleans; Elton Aubert, D-Vacherie; Austin Badon, D-New Orleans; Bobby Badon, D-Carencro; Damon Baldone, D-Houma; Taylor Barras, D-New Iberia; Regina Barrow, D-Baton Rouge; Robert Billiot, D-Waggaman; Richard Burford, R-Stonewall; Henry Burns, R-Haughton; Tim Burns, R-Mandeville; Roy Burrell, D-Shreveport; Thomas Carmody, R-Shreveport; Simone Champagne, D-Jeanerette; Billy Chandler, D-Dry Prong; Bubba Chaney, D-Rayville; Patrick Connick, R-Marrero; Page Cortez, R-Lafayette; Michael Danahay, D-Sulphur; Herbert Dixon, D-Alexandria; Jean Doerge, D-Minden; Gordon Dove, R-Houma; Hollis Downs, R-Ruston; John Bel Edwards, D-Amite; […]” (Jordan Blum, “Legislators Buy LSU Tickets,” The Advocate, 6/6/09)

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