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1. The Pardon and Parole Board review roughly 1100 parole-eligible people’s sentences every year to determine if their rehabilitation and remorse indicate successful reentry from prison; roughly 50% are granted. Additionally, they review roughly 300 clemency petitions (recommending under 100 to the Governor). Combined, this represents approximately 5% of people in state custody. If elected Governor, would you seek to continue the work of the current Board or adjust?
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A. Continue with current Board and similar outcomes
B. Reduce the Board’s impact, hearing fewer petitions
C. Increase the Board’s impact, hearing more petitions
**Additional Comments**
2. DEATH PENALTY: Louisiana has not executed someone for 13 years. If you are elected Governor, would you continue the moratorium or begin executions among the 59 people currently on Death Row?
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Continue Moratorium
Begin Executions
Conduct further study
**Additional Comments**
3. Legislatures across several states, including Louisiana, have proposed and/or passed multiple bills related to LGBTQ people’s access to medical care, restrooms, books in libraries, and autonomy in the school system. Do you believe LGBTQ people have the appropriate protections of our laws?
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LGBTQ people are treated equally under the law
LGBTQ is a form of mental illness that requires treatment
LGBTQ people are facing unfair discrimination
**Additional Comments**
4. The First Amendment of the United States Constitution protects people's freedom of speech, religion, press, assembly, and petitioning the government. Do you believe Louisiana currently provides its citizens with the appropriate level of protection? What measures do you propose to safeguard and balance these rights while addressing potential conflicts or limitations within our state?
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Yes, I believe Louisiana adequately protects its citizens' First Amendment rights, and I will work to maintain and uphold these protections.
No, I believe there are areas where Louisiana falls short in safeguarding First Amendment rights, and I plan to implement measures to enhance these protections.
I am unsure about the level of protection of First Amendment rights in Louisiana and would need more information before forming an opinion.
I believe Louisiana provides too much protection to certain First Amendment rights, and I plan to review and revise policies to ensure a more balanced approach.
5. The Louisiana constitution guarantees the right to vote for every resident citizen over 18 and allows the legislature to suspend that right for some people under orders of imprisonment. If you are elected governor (check all that apply):
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**Additional Comments**
6. Despite the United Supreme Court ruling that non-unanimous jury convictions are unconstitutional, Louisiana has yet to make retroactive the non-unanimous jury law in our state. If you’re elected Governor, do you support a measure to rectify its impact on the lives of approximately 1500 incarcerated people?
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I support making the non-unanimous jury law retroactive.
There should be a case-by-case review of non-unanimous jury convictions to determine whether they should be retroactive.
I am undecided on the issue of making the non-unanimous jury law retroactive.
I do not support making the non-unanimous jury law retroactive
**Additional Comments**
7. Louisiana’s jail and prison phone rates are nearly double the minimum wage and 15 times more expensive than making calls in the free market. If you are elected Governor, would you support initiatives to address consumer fairness, family unity, and violence reduction in jails and prisons? (Check all that apply)
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**Additional Comments**
8. Until 2018, Louisiana courts lacked guidance on self-defense claims by people subjected to intimate partner violence, sexual assault and trafficking. who defended themselves from their abusers/traffickers or were coerced into criminal activity by their abusers/traffickers. Do you support legislation giving people serving prison terms for such conduct opportunities to have their convictions and sentences reviewed by courts under the clarified legal framework?
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I support allowing review in the appropriate cases
No, I do not support opportunities for review.
Undecided, I need more information to make a decision.
**Additional Comments**
9. Louisiana followed the trajectory of America in steadily closing mental health institutions and reducing access to care unless it is constitutionally required in a jail or prison. How do you envision expanding mental health services and support in our state to ensure that all residents have adequate access to essential mental health care and resources? (Check all that apply)
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**Additional Comments**
10. In your view, what are the PRIMARY factors causing crime in our state? (Check up to 3 options)
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**Additional Comments**
11. How do you view the Affordable Care Act (ACA)and its impact on the accessibility and affordability of medical care for the citizens of Louisiana?
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I support the ACA, as it has significantly improved access and affordability of medical care for Louisiana residents.
I believe the ACA has positively impacted medical care accessibility, but there is room for improvement.
I have mixed views on the ACA's effectiveness in improving medical care accessibility and affordability.
The ACA has had a negative impact on Louisiana
**Additional Comments**
12. The issue of addiction has plagued America over the past 50 years, with the rise in prescription opioid abuse leading us to fentanyl overdoses by people suffering with addiction. What intervention(s) would you prioritize for Louisiana? (Check up to three)
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**Additional Comments**
13. How do you assess the performance of the current leadership in the Louisiana Department of Corrections (DOC)?
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The current leadership has effectively addressed issues and challenges within the DOC, and they should continue in their roles.
The current leadership has made some progress, but significant issues require new leadership to address effectively.
The current leadership has been ineffective in addressing issues and challenges within the DOC, and new leadership is necessary for meaningful change.
I am still deciding on the performance of the current leadership and would need to study it further before making a decision.
**Additional Comments**
14. What is your stance on the legalization of cannabis in Louisiana?
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I fully support the legalization of cannabis in our state as it can create job opportunities and stimulate economic growth.
I believe the legalization of cannabis has the potential to benefit our economy, but I have some reservations and would need to study it further before deciding.
I do not support the legalization of cannabis in our state, as I believe it may lead to negative consequences for public health and safety.
**Additional Comments**
15. What is your opinion on placing 17-year-olds in adult custody and prisons within Louisiana’s criminal justice system?
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I support the current law, incarcerating 17-year-olds in juvenile custody.
I believe this policy should change to allow some 17-year-olds to be treated as adults, based on the severity of the offense
I am undecided on the issue of placing 17-year-olds in adult custody and prisons and would need to study it further before making a decision.
I support repealing the current law, and placing 17-year-olds in adult custody and prisons
**Additional Comments**
16. In 2017, the Louisiana legislature passed a package of 10 legislative bills (with bipartisan support) to address Louisiana’s incarceration rate that was double the national average, and incarcerating people on nonviolent offenses at triple the rate of other Southern states. Despite spending over a billion dollars per year, recidivism was very high. The main impact on incarceration came via Act 280, increasing the discretion of judges, parole board, and probation officers regarding non-violent offenses and technical violations. Which of the following statements best describes the impact of Louisiana's Justice Reinvestment Initiative (JRI) on crime since 2017?
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JRI has played a significant role in the surge of high crime rates since 2017 by leading to reduced penalties for certain offenses, contributing to a lenient criminal justice system.
JRI had no direct impact on the surge in high crime since 2017, as various complex factors beyond criminal justice policies influence crime rates.
JRI successfully contributed to reducing crime rates since 2017, as it focused on rehabilitation and support programs for offenders, leading to lower recidivism rates.
While JRI had some initial impact on crime rates, its long-term effects have been inconclusive due to challenges in implementation and lack of adequate funding for the programs.
JRI has had little impact on an overall steady crime rate, as the primary surge in crime rates has been in juvenile crime, which can be attributed to moving 17-year-olds from “adult” crime statistics to “juvenile” statistics in 2020.
**Additional Comments**
17. What measures can you implement as Governor to ensure that every Louisiana resident, including formerly incarcerated people, is granted housing opportunities in alignment with the Louisiana Housing Corporation's mission to provide safe, affordable, energy-efficient housing for all? (Select all that apply)
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**Additional Comments**
18. Automation, artificial intelligence, and digital technology have created various shifts in the economy, from remote workers reducing the need for office space, self-checkouts reducing the need for retail staff, advanced machinery displacing manual labor, and more. Do you believe the government needs to address this issue?
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Yes
No
**Additional Comments**
19. Considering the significant increase in unemployment caused by automated machinery and digital technology, if you are elected governor, how would you prioritize protecting and supporting workers in our State?
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I am committed to implementing policies that promote workforce development and training programs for workers to create, maintain, and oversee new technology.
I believe in collaborating with tech industries to encourage responsible practices that prioritize workforce retention and offer opportunities to those affected by job displacement.
I am undecided on the best approach to address the impact of automation on the human workforce and would seek input from experts, labor organizations, and affected communities.
While I recognize the benefits of new technologies, I am concerned about its affect on employment and would explore initiatives such as guaranteed income programs.
I do not believe that significant government intervention is necessary to address the impact of automation on the workforce, as the market will naturally adapt to these changes.
**Additional Comments**
20. Loss of wetlands threatens coastal residents, commercial fishing, oil and gas infrastructure, and cuts out the buffer protection during hurricane season. With a record heat wave impacting the health of all Louisiana, do you believe our state’s approach to the environment will be sustainable over the next 50 years?
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No, but I am committed to proactively addressing climate change by advocating for environmentally friendly policies and enforcing existing environmental laws rigorously.
Not yet, and I will address our shrinking and sinking state by making this a priority thoroughout my tenure as Governor.
I am still deciding how best to address issues with our environment, and I would like to gather expert opinions and analyze data before forming an approach.
Louisiana has always been very hot, and we havs lost more land than the state of Delaware over the previous century. There is not much we can do about it.
“Climate Change” is a hoax, made up of junk science
**Additional Comments**
In 50 words or less, tell our community why they should trust you with their vote.
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