Stately oaths

After breaking gender and party barriers in last October’s election, the new state legislative delegation from Evangeline Parish was sworn into office at the Louisiana State Capitol in Baton Rouge on Monday, January 13.
Rhonda Butler (R-Turkey Creek) took her oath of office as State Representative to represent District 38 replacing Bernard LeBas.
“If anyone goes back and looks at my campaign, they’ll see that the resounding theme of my campaign was about you, the people. Since being blessed by the voters this summer, I hit the ground running and have had non-stop meetings for the past several months. Now that it’s official, I can finally start using my office to better all of District 38,” said Representative Butler in a press release.
According to the same press release, “True to her word, Representative Butler is already fulfilling a campaign promise through the creation of a District 38 Economic Council. The purpose of the Economic Council is to bring together business leaders to discuss their challenges and find solutions to help them expand and recruit other businesses to the district. What’s unique about this particular gathering is that it’s led by a state legislator. So, if the problem with growing a particular business is a state agency or law, it can be promptly addressed by Representative Butler.”
“Representative Butler said that her biggest priorities are finding ways to lower auto insurance premiums, growing local businesses to increase the number of quality jobs, being the ally that our farmers need to expand their operations, and finding sustainable solutions to our infrastructure problems (both roads and drainage).”
Also taking her oath of office that Monday was Heather Cloud (R-Turkey Creek) as State Senator for District 28 replacing Eric LaFleur.
“I am humbled to have the privilege of serving District 28 in the State Senate,” said Senator Cloud. “I am confident that working together, with bold leadership, we will do great things. Louisiana is too good to be last and I’m committed to fighting for a better Louisiana for all of our families. Thank you for the opportunity. Now, let’s ‘geaux’ to work!”
According to a press release, “Senator Cloud places a high priority on job creation and protection and easing burdensome government regulations. She also plans to focus on improving local infrastructure and investing in local and technical schools.”
“Senator Cloud is a former educator and small business owner. She served as the Mayor of Turkey Creek for nearly eight years and as the President of the Evangeline Parish Tax Commission from 2011 to 2018. She and her husband, Jody, reside in Evangeline Parish with their two sons.”
Following the swearing-in, Louisiana Senate President Patrick “Page” Cortez announced Senator Cloud had been appointed vice chair of the committee on finance, member of the committee on judiciary A, member of committee on local and municipal affairs, and member of select committee on women and children.
On her committee appointments, Senator Cloud expressed in a statement, “I requested Judiciary A and Finance early on. I received both which is highly unusual for a freshman to even sit on Senate Finance much less be the Vice Chair.”
“Judiciary A is where tort reform measures failed that would have brought remedy to lower insurance costs over time. That’s why I requested Judicary A in particular. Businesses and families, especially the working poor, are severely affected by high auto insurance. They are having to balance auto insurance costs with their other most basic needs such as food and shelter. Businesses are drowning in insurance costs especially small business. This issue is one of those that keeps me up at night.”
“Roadway-improvements is where I’ve stood on the battle field for sometime now.”
“Soon I will be introducing legislation which I have very carefully and deliberately selected based on need and from my experiences working in the public and private sectors. I will carry legislation that means something to both me and our people.”
“I’m in an excellent position to help our people across Senate District 28.”
“I am serving on Municipal Affairs and Women’s and Children’s Select Committee as well. You will see legislative measures of mine to protect the innocent and most vulnerable coming soon.”
“I’m positioned very well, have a great relationship with leadership, and I feel incredibly blessed.”