Landry administration shuffles leadership at DOTD, coastal authority
One of the new flyover ramps, pictured prior to opening, that connects I-10 to New Orleans' Armstrong International Airport officially opened on Sept. 29, 2023. (Photo credit: Daniel Gitlin/DOTD)
Gov. Jeff Landry is making leadership changes at the state highway department that will go into effect Monday.
In a statement issued Thursday, the governor's office said Department of Transportation a Development Secretary Joe Donahue will move from that post to become the agency's executive counsel. Glenn Ledet Jr. will leave as executive director of the Coastal Restoration and Protection Authority to become DOTD's new secretary.
Also, Eric Dauphine, DOTD's current Lafayette region administrator, will become a deputy secretary for the department.
'Joe has done an outstanding job in one of the most thankless roles in state government. Louisiana's roads and infrastructure are in dire need of reform, and Joe worked every day to move DOTD forward despite the challenges,' Landry said in the statement.
Ledet departs the CPRA after a year and a half as its leader and previously working as administrator of its operations division. The authority has state-level oversight of major coastal infrastructure projects in Louisiana. The governor credited Ledet with CPRA's implementation of the state's $50 billion Coastal Master Plan.
The governor's office shared no information on plans for Ledet's replacement at CPRA.
The incoming DOTD secretary's background includes 13 years in civil and environmental engineering, including management positions with private companies that have worked as contractors for the state transportation department. Ledet holds an environmental engineering degree from LSU and is licensed as a civil engineer in multiple Gulf Coast states.
'I am honored and grateful to Governor Jeff Landry for the trust he has placed in me to lead DOTD,' Ledet said in a statement. 'I look forward to working alongside the agency's dedicated team and partners throughout the state to strengthen Louisiana's transportation network. Together, we will focus on delivering efficient and safe infrastructure that meets the needs of Louisiana's residents, communities, and businesses both now and in the future.'
Donahue has worked with Landry since the governor held the attorney general's post. In addition to his time at DOTD, Donahue has also been a staff lawyer with the state Department of Environmental Quality.
His exit comes as state lawmakers have approved a package of Landry-backed bills that call for greater efficiency and accountability at DOTD, while also giving the governor more say-so on state highway spending. The changes will include a new deputy secretary of transformation. Landry's office has not clarified whether Dauphine is filling this position or an existing deputy secretary's position.
Donahue is the third member of Landry's cabinet to move out of their role since the governor took office in January 2024, and the first to stay within state government.
Madison Sheahan left her job as secretary of the Louisiana Department of Wildlife and Fisheries in March to become deputy director for U.S Immigration and Customs Enforcement. The move reunited her with Homeland Security Director Kristi Noem, for whom Sheahan worked when Noem was governor of South Dakota.
Last month, Aurelia Skipwith Giacometto resigned as DEQ secretary to take a job with a Washington, D.C. law firm. Though Landry remained consistent in his support for her, Giacometto's tenure was marked with strife within the department and several departures from high-ranking employees. A workplace survey from the Louisiana Legislative Auditor revealed pervasive low morale during her time in charge.
SUPPORT: YOU MAKE OUR WORK POSSIBLE
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
USA Today
3 hours ago
- USA Today
Medicaid cuts, no taxes on tips and overtime: What's in the Trump-backed Senate megabill?
Big changes are ahead for Americans if the Trump-backed bill becomes law. Republicans are trying to pass it by a self-imposed July 4 deadline. WASHINGTON − High-income earners, waiters and waitresses could soon see greater tax breaks locked in under a bill backed by President Donald Trump that's on track for votes this weekend in the Republican-led Senate. People who rely on Medicaid access and funds for federal food aid would come out on the short end of the stick under the plan, too. There's plenty more that could affect the lives of everyday Americans inside the Senate's latest 940-page version of the Trump-backed megabill that emerged near midnight and which Republicans are scrambling to turn into law ahead of a self-imposed July 4 deadline. It's still unclear if the GOP will have enough votes when the debate begins around 2 p.m. EDT on June 28 on the president's biggest second-term priority for the Republican-led Congress. Supporters are emphasizing the chief engine of the Senate's proposal - extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts - and significant boosts to military and border security spending. They are also proceeding despite needing to remove sections of their bill that didn't meet the Senate's unique rules that would have repealed student loan relief and environmental regulations, restricting federal judges' powers and the Trump administration's efforts to bulk up immigration enforcement. More: Could Trump fail on tax bill? Why going 'big' doesn't always work out as planned "If you like higher taxes, open borders, a weak military and unchecked government spending, this bill is your nightmare," Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-South Carolina, chairman of the Budget Committee, said in a statement. Graham's team did have to make several adjustments in recent days. Certain Medicaid-related proposals were also left on the Senate cutting room floor. But other reforms − including new work requirements for able-bodied Americans − survived a complex review process and are now on deck for approval in the upper chamber. The Trump administration 'strongly supports' the Senate version of the bill, in a White House Office of Management and Budget statement June 28. 'President Trump is committed to keeping his promises, and failure to pass this bill would be the ultimate betrayal," the statement said. Democrats are not on board with the legislation that Trump and Republicans have dubbed the "big, beautiful bill." Sen. Richard Blumenthal, D-Connecticut, said the president's legislative agenda looks more like a "big, ugly betrayal" because it gives tax breaks to wealthier Americans while cutting services to low-income people. "I am dedicated and determined to fight these kinds of changes that really impact adversely everybody in Connecticut and the country," Blumenthal said in a June 27 video posted to X. Senate Majority Leader John Thune, R-South Dakota, has been working behind the scenes to whip his members into a consensus. He's got support from Trump, who has spent days putting public pressure on any GOP senators considering defection. But it's still far from clear if Thune and Trump will be successful. Here's a closer look at what's in the Senate bill as the weekend floor debate gets underway. Medicaid and SNAP Medicaid, which provides health insurance to more than 71 million low-income Americans, has been a regular point of contention for both chambers grappling with the legislation. After the House narrowly approved big changes to the program that would save at least $625 billion − and potentially cause 7.6 million Americans over the next 10 years to lose their health insurance − the Senate sought even deeper cuts. Senate Parliamentarian Elizabeth MacDonough axed a handful of changes from the Senate bill, including prohibiting coverage for non-citizens and barring funds for gender-affirming care. The upper chamber's legislation maintains new work requirements and increased eligibility checks. The Senate plan seeks to force able-bodied adults to work 80 hours per month until age 65 to qualify for benefits, but it does include exemptions for parents or guardians of children under 14 and those with disabilities. Reforms to SNAP, another federal aid program long known as "food stamps," were sifted through the Senate's review process. MacDonough initially rejected Senate Republicans' attempt to push costs onto states. But the parliamentarian gave them the go ahead after Senate Republicans did some tweaking to the language that included giving states more time before they start paying. The latest version would also give Alaska and Hawaii temporary exemption from the cost-sharing and able-bodied requirements for up to two years, if the Agriculture secretary finds the two states are making a "good faith effort" to comply with the requirements. Many view the offer as a way to keep Alaska's two GOP senators, particularly Sen. Lisa Murkowski, in support of the overall bill. Extending Trump's 2017 tax cuts The heart of the legislation is an extension of the big tax cuts that Trump passed in 2017, which are set to expire on Dec. 31, 2025. The highest earner would continue to be taxed at a 37% rate under the bill, instead of 39.6% if the tax cuts expired. For individuals making between $9,525 and $38,700, they would continue to be taxed at 12%, instead of the 15% rate that would kick in if the legislation doesn't pass. More: How much will Trump's tax bill save you? Gains could vary by income. The 2017 law made other big changes to tax policy that will remain in place under the Senate bill, including doubling the child tax credit from $1,000 to $2,000 and nearly doubling the standard deduction. Other provisions in the 2017 tax law that affect both individuals and businesses will remain. 'This bill prevents an over-$4 trillion tax hike and makes the successful 2017 Trump tax cuts permanent, enabling families and businesses to save and plan for the future,' Sen. Mike Crapo, R-Idaho, said in unveiling the bill language. No taxes on tips, overtime Addressing one of Trump's most high-profile 2024 campaign promises, tipped employees like waiters and hairstylists would be able to claim a new tax deduction for tips through 2028, as could workers who are paid overtime wages. More: Americans are tired of tipping. Experts say no tax on tips could make things worse. The Senate kept this measure from the House version of the bill, but added on a $25,000 per year cap for the deduction and weakened the tax break for individuals whose income is above $150,000 or married couples making more than $300,000 combined. $5 trillion debt limit increase The Senate version looks to raise the nation's debt limit by $5 trillion, which is expected to aggravate fiscal hawks who were already concerned about the House bill, which projections say would raise that limit by $4 trillion. Including the language in this overall bill would give the federal government the OK to pay for programs that Congress has already authorized. Billions for U.S. military and 'Golden Dome' defense One area Republicans didn't spare an expense is defense spending, which some MAGA allies had suggested was "too much" in the lead up to the legislation's unveiling. More: Trump pushes $175 billion 'Golden Dome' missile defense plan The proposal injects roughly $150 billion into the military, including $9 billion for service members quality of life such as housing, healthcare, childcare and education. Another $1 billion is earmarked for border security, which Republican committee members have said will help carry out the president's immigration and "counter-drug enforcement" plans. One of the larger expenditures is $25 billion allotted for an initial investment in a "Golden Dome" missile defense shield that Trump promised will be fully operational by the end of his term in 2029. Green energy roll-backs A handful of moderate senators had pushed for a gentler approach to rolling back green energy tax credits passed under former President Joe Biden. The Senate's proposal heeds their call, slowing the phase-out of multiple clean energy provisions that the House had sought to eliminate more quickly. Billions for the border, deportations The Senate held onto the massive increase in funding for the Department of Homeland Security, increasing the department's budget by roughly $150 billion – which would more than double its current funding. The bill authorizes $45 billion for new immigration detention centers. Under the DHS umbrella, U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement already operates more than 160 detention centers around the country. Many are full, as the Trump administration ramps up arrests of immigrants. Another $27 billion would go to fund the administration's mass deportation campaign, including to pay for 10,000 more deportation agents. ICE currently has about 6,000 deportation agents. At that funding level, the current administration "will be poised to dramatically expand community arrests and expand cooperation with state and local law enforcement agencies," according to an analysis by the American Immigration Council, which advocates for immigrant rights. The Trump administration's border czar, Tom Homan, said without additional money, "it's going to be a hard road" to achieve the president's goal of deporting 1 million immigrants this year. "We have a lot of people to look for, a lot of people to arrest, a lot of national security threats we know are in this country," Homan said during a White House press conference June 26. "We need to find them. We need more money to do that. We need more agents to do that."
American Press
8 hours ago
- American Press
Jim Beam column:CVS lawsuits won't solve PBM concerns
CVS has been targeted by three lalwsuits filed by the Louisiana attorney general for irs questionable practices.(Photo courtesy of Louisiana legislators and the state's citizens got acquainted near the end of this year's fiscal session with organizations we have heard little about — pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs). Large employers and health insurance companies pay PBMs to act as middlemen to negotiate drug prices. House Bill 358 by Rep. Dustin Miller, D-Opelousas, was one of three measures filed dealing with PBMs. A conference committee changed the bill and it ended up saying that no permit to operate a pharmacy can be granted or renewed to a pharmacy that is wholly or partially owned or controlled by a pharmacy benefit manager. Miller's bill passed the House 95-0 and the Senate 37-0. However, the House rejected changes made by the Senate and a conference committee was eventually appointed to iron out the differences between the two chambers. The PBM change that was inserted into the bill by the conference committee was accepted by the House but the legislation died in the Senate. Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, later explained that there was no testimony on that complicated change in the bill. Donald Trump Jr., a friend of Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, said that bill should pass the Legislature. Landry got so upset when it didn't, he is still threatening to call a special session to pass it. If a Trump says do it, Landry always goes to war in order to get it done. The Advocate reported that Amy Thibault, a spokesperson for CVS, which owns both a PBM and a nationwide chain of drug stores, said the bill would have forced it to close its 119 stores in Louisiana. She said it would affect about 1 million patients across the state and 22,000 patients who receive high-cost specialty drugs that smaller pharmacies find difficult to handle. An anti-PBM bill did pass. Rep. Michael Echols, R-Monroe, sponsored HB 264 that passed both houses unanimously. The newspaper said it favored independent pharmacies by prohibiting PBMs from steering customers to pharmacies they own and by mandating that discounts negotiated by PBMs go to employers and consumers. Echols' bill has been sent to Gov. Landry, but he hasn't signed it or vetoed it yet. However, we know he's still upset because The Advocate reported that the state has filed three lawsuits against CVS accusing it of 'unethical and deceptive acts' in its use of customer data for political lobbying. All three cases allege that CVS violated Louisiana's Unfair Trade Practices and Consumer Protection Law. One lawsuit says the text messages CVS sent to its customers were 'inaccurate, misleading and deceptive.' And that they were intended to incite fear among vulnerable people. The second suit alleges the company has used its size and control of insurers, PBMs and drugstores to squeeze out competition and drive up drug costs. The third lawsuit accuses CVS of abusing its market power to 'inflict economic harm' and impose unfair fees on independent pharmacies 'under threat of being expelled from the CVS network.' The Center Square said CVS Health is pushing back against claims that the company engaged in deceptive, anticompetitive practices. In a statement, CVS called the lawsuits 'without merit' and pledged to defend itself vigorously. CVS said, 'Our communication with CVS customers, patients and members of the community was consistent with the law.' Rather than filing lawsuits, state Sen. Kirk Tallbot, R-River Ridge, had a better solution. When the Senate refused to approve Miller's bill he sponsored Senate Resolution 209. The resolution requests the Louisiana Department of Health to study the impacts of prohibiting pharmacy benefit manager ownership of pharmacies in Louisiana and to submit a report to the Legislature. I found a helpful explanation about PBMs at in a story that said they were created to negotiate better deals for consumers on medicines. However, it said instead PBMs 'have sometimes driven up the cost of prescriptions — while also putting the survival of community pharmacies at risk.' So, it's possible that Landry and legislators should do something to prevent that from happening, However, rushing to judgment with lawsuits seldom solves major problems. More information on PBMs would better serve the legislators who pass this state's laws and the people who are served by the state's drugstores. Henry said Miller's bill wouldn't have taken effect until 2027. Instead of lawsuits, PBMs can be debated during the 2026 legislative session to give legislators the background they need on PBMs. Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or Reply Forward Add reaction
Indianapolis Star
12 hours ago
- Indianapolis Star
Limited-edition HexClad cookware sets are up to 44% off for 4th of July 💥
HexClad is turning up the heat this Independence Day with its 4th of July cookware sale, offering up to 44% off top-rated kitchen essentials. Shoppers can score major savings on best-selling hybrid cookware sets, nonstick pots and pans, pizza bundles and even the brand new 4th of July cooking and entertaining sets designed for the ultimate kitchen upgrade. Whether you're upgrading your own kitchen or shopping for the home chef in your life, this is the perfect time to invest in HexClad's hybrid stainless steel cookware, known for its durability, nonstick performance, and sleek design. Shop HexClad's 4th of July sale 💰 All HexClad purchases come with free shipping, 30-day return guarantee and lifetime warranty. With up to $1,456 off chef Gordon Ramsay-backed cookware, these discounts are perfect for upgrading your kitchen cabinets for summer 2025. Don't miss our favorite summer deals on a set of sharp Japanese Demascus knives or the new limited-edition HexClad Stars, Stripes + Sauté Set for the ultimate kitchen upgrade. More: Get 46% off the viral Fullstar veggie chopper with 120,000 Amazon reviews More: Your ultimate 4th of July 2025 shopping guide: Epic sales, deals and where to shop now 🎆 Shop HexClad cookware deals The Fourth of July in 2025 falls on Friday, July 4, 2025. Perfect timing for a long holiday weekend! More: Shop early Prime Day deals on summer essentials: Splash pads, griddles, fans HexClad cookware is designed to last a lifetime. Warranty terms vary by product and do not cover damage resulting from failing to follow care and use guidelines. To activate your lifetime warranty, simply submit this form. The warranty is limited to the original customer or recipient with proof of purchase and is non-transferable. It covers only products bought new from HexClad or authorized sellers, excluding commercial/restaurant use. Each warranty is subject to the disclaimers and general terms at the bottom of this page. HexClad will replace any damaged products under the lifetime warranty, but the customer may be responsible for return shipping fees. HexClad cookware features a patented hexagonal design and cutting-edge technology that combines the best of stainless steel and non-stick surfaces to offer top-notch cooking performance. With even heat distribution, durable designs built to last a lifetime and versatile features like being oven-safe and dishwasher-safe, HexClad cookware is unmatched.
