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We've luckily had plenty of rain in New Orleans - but the presidential race is heating up! I am in awe of the President's selfless and strategic drop-the-mic decision. He is a true leader. I am also very excited about our new nominee, the VP.

I'm heading to the Democratic convention in Chicago next month, and could use some support. (We have to pay our own way: airfare, hotel, ground transpo, incidentals etc....) I feel like a kid raising money for summer sports camp. Welcome to the life of a non-traditional elected official.

My mother has started her worry rosaries, so please feel free to add yours. :)

Have a good one.

- Mandie

DEMOCRATIC NATIONAL CHAOS CONVENTION

I am a Louisiana delegate to the DNC (full list here), & I am VERY excited. Delegates are elected by party members, & include both elected and non-electeds from all over the state. We pledged to vote for VP Harris (this is not binding FYI).

I was strongly supporting President Biden, for many reasons, but mostly because the city overall seemed to be sticking with him. And, he's the only person to beat Donald Trump. The President has given so much to this country. After decades in the Senate, while going through personal traumas, & 8 years fully supporting President Obama, he was ready to retire - until we called him back in 2020 to defeat what became an existential threat to this country. I trust his strategic and selfless decision to step back now, and to endorse Vice President Harris. He deserves some rest.

I was so excited to be invited to the VP's holiday party in December as an elected official. And D91's #1 Office Director came too!

I am 100% in support of Vice President Harris as the presidential nominee. She was chosen four years ago to be VP for one main reason: that she might need to step into his shoes should something happen to him. I've been a longtime fan, as she was my first choice as the Democratic nominee in 2019. (PS my choice for VP is Senator Mark Kelly. An astronaut, navy pilot, and caregiver who works for gun safety....wow.)

Kamala Harris is eminently qualified: she's the VP & was on the winning ticket that beat Trump by over 7 million in the popular vote; she was elected senator of the largest state in the country; she was twice elected attorney general of the largest state in the country; she was elected district attorney in San Francisco; and she's a former prosecutor. Impressive. She also has access to the Biden/Harris campaign account. She has raised over $100 million dollars since yesterday. It will be a difficult race, and it's already clouded with gross racism and misogyny, but the base is excited and the kids are going wild. (I can't really explain the coconut and brat memes because I am a young GenX/elder millenial and I do not fully understand them, but apparently they're amazing.)

Just one article detailing the many ways in which the former president is dangerous and a disgrace.

The kids are doing great.

As I mentioned, your rep is now asking for support to attend political summer camp in August in Chicago, aka the Democratic National Convention. I'd appreciate your help in covering this. Politics is so expensive.

LOUISIANA LEGISLATURE: THE OFF-SEASON 

Intrigue continues to swirl after session. Lane Grigsby, an extremely wealthy and powerful R donor, sent an email *directly* to all 144 legislators encouraging/begging/demanding that we hold a constitutional convention in August. He included proposed revisions to the constitution on issues such as: striking the homestead exemption, civil service, retirement, tax exemptions on food and medicine.......many of the most popular and populist provisions. We do not have a firm answer on whether this will happen next month but it is looking unlikely. Voters of course don't want a convention.

If you're in my district, you received my annual post legislative mailer. This document is informational only, as it is paid for with tax dollars. 

You can also click here for a link to legislative staff's detailed Powerpoint on the session. Also here is a summary of all insurance-related legislation from the Commissioner's office.

MONEY. New Orleans brought home a fair amount of money this past session. The Sewerage & Water Board is receiving $24 million for the new power station and hopefully many millions more. As I noted previously, I worked with numerous others to ensure that the city was awarded $1.3 million to help clear Orleans' DNA testing backlog, including murder and rape kits. 

This is just some of the money allocated to New Orleans through the efforts of your Orleans Delegation.

I also am happy to report that the Broadmoor Improvement Association in District 91 was awarded $250,000. BIA provides essential services such as food assistance, medical referrals, educational programs, youth activities, & mental health services. Funds will be used to repair & maintain the broken HVAC systems & other capital maintenance projects in community church buildings, which allows these essential services to function year round.

Happy 2nd birthday to this lil cowboy!

IYKYK. I thought this was hilarious. Give this staffer a bonus.

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