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Happy spring! It's been a while since I reached out, so let's get right to it.

I'll be on your ballot again on October 14, 2023, asking for another 4 year representative term. As a state rep, I've worked hard for this district and city, and I hope that District 91 voters agree and vote to return me to the legislature. Over 15,000 people cast a vote for me in November - proof that being yourself and focusing on progressive issues is something that voters want.

I would appreciate your assistance with a financial contribution. I am starting to plan this year's campaign. Donations from $5 to $2500 are happily accepted and put to good use.

I am and will continue to be a leading progressive legislator, focusing on reproductive rights, maternal health care, gun safety, marijuana protections, flooding and hazard mitigation, LGBTQ+ issues, and policy that helps women, the poor, and underrepresented communities. We have so much work to do in this state.

I will also be hosting a fundraiser in New Orleans at the end of the month; stay tuned for details. Click through to my news page to see what I've been up to.

If you can't be a sun, be a star. ⭐

Mandie

Speaking to students of the Tulane School of Medicine.

We had a brief special session on propery insurance in February. The legislature agreed to give the insurance commissioner up to $45 million to use as "incentive" payments to entice more insurance companies to write in Louisiana. The state has seen many companies go bankrupt or leave due to regular storms. This incentive system had some success after Hurricane Katrina, and we hope it will again.

The 2023 regular legislative session begins on Monday, April 10, 2023. As this is a fiscal session, we are limited to five "general" bills - the rest will be fiscal-related. Stay tuned for the release of my bills in the coming weeks. I expect the session to focus on insurance, taxes, the budget, and unfortunately, a host of "red meat issues" since it's an election year.

Speaking of elections - the entire legislature is up for re-election this fall, as is every state-wide elected official such as Governor, Lieutenant Governor, Treasurer, etc. Since the current governor is term-limited, this will be a wild year. 

And speaking of yet another special election - the runoff for House District 93 (right next door to me, which includes downtown/French Quarter/Treme) is Saturday March 25. I encourage you to look at Alonzo Knox, who is endorsed by VOTE, a group I work with frequently. Alonzo is a former marine who is the owner of Backatown Coffee. I also encourage you to read why VOTE is endorsing Alonzo.

Meeting with Sima Ladjevardian of the US Department of Health and Human Services to discuss reproductive and environmental rights.

It's never quiet here in New Orleans! I'm regularly on zoom with advocates, and I attend neighborhood meetings weekly, sometimes two in a night. I'm working on bills and still working as a lawyer. We go to the park often now that the weather is nice, sometimes finding treats. :) I recently also found myself as a coffee influencer (?), or something - there are SO MANY coffee shops in Nola. It's Girl Scout cookie season - they have venmo now. The recall of the mayor has gone beyond the recall and is now threatening our election laws; I wrote more about that here. 

I am fortunate to have the ability and expertise to assist residents of Louisiana at the local, state, and national levels. Last year when Roe was overturned, I was asked to speak to audiences across the state and country about the attacks on reproductive rights and what it means in Louisiana, including a national audience on MSNBC. As we've seen since that interview, the results have been dire and deadly for women. I have been in step keeping up with advocates as well as the federal government about the immediate and long term needs in our State.