N O L A.C O M
|
T u e s d ay, a p r i l 15, 2025
$2.00X
2025 LEGISLATURE
Landry seeks compromise on auto insurance rates
STAFF FILE PHOTO By DAVID GRUNFELD
The Pelicans fired David Griffin, executive vice president of basketball operations, on Monday.
Pelicans fire Griffin He had served as executive VP of basketball operations since 2019
BY ROD WALKER Staff writer
“Victims of crime deserve finality, but our system does not provide it,” Murrill said in a statement. “The decades of inaction perpetuated by lawyers and individuals convicted of heinous crimes and
A year after lawmakers agreed to a package of bills to make Louisiana friendlier to insurance companies, the ongoing home insurance crisis is prompting a host of legislators to seek more relief from spiraling costs for homeowners. Lawmakers have filed bills to ramp up oversight of insurers, to crack down on what some see as “excessive” profits and to provide tax credits to people who pay high premiums, among an array of other ideas. Legislators have filed several dozen bills about property insurance in the session that began Monday. A key question remains: Will the
The New Orleans Pelicans are making a change at the top. The Pelicans fired David Griffin, executive vice president of basketball operations, the team announced Monday. “After considerable thought and evaluation, I have decided to relieve David Griffin of his duties as executive vice president of basketball opera“This was tions,” Pelicans owner Gayle a difficult Benson said in decision, but a statement. one that I feel “This was a difis necessary ficult decision, at this time to but one that I feel is neces- bring a fresh sary at this time approach to bring a fresh to our front approach to our office and front office and build a build a culture that will deliver culture that sustainable sucwill deliver cess, on and off sustainable the court.” success, on The firing and off the came after the Pelicans concourt.” cluded a disappointing season GAyLE BENSON, Pelicans owner Sunday with a loss to Oklahoma City at the Smoothie King ä More on the C e n t e r. T h e Pelicans in Pelicans fin- Sports. PAGE 1C ished 21-61, the second-worst record in an 82-game season in franchise history. The 2004-05 team finished 18-64. Griffin spent six seasons in charge of the team’s basketball operations after replacing Dell Demps in 2019. Detroit Pistons legend Joe Dumars, who was the 2003 NBA Executive of the Year and won a championship as the general manager of the Pistons in 2004, has emerged as the front-runner to replace Griffin in New Orleans, ESPN reported Monday afternoon. Dumars, who won two NBA titles as a Pistons player, is a Shreveport native who played college ball at McNeese State. Dumars has spent the past three seasons as executive vice president and head of basketball operations for the NBA. His last role with a specific team was in the 2020-21 season when he was the chief strategy officer for the Sacramento Kings. The Pelicans’ 49-33 record last season tied for the second-most wins in franchise history. But this season, the Pelicans were hit hard by injuries and never
ä See EXECUTIONS, page 5A
ä See INSURANCE, page 5A
ä See GRIFFIN, page 7A
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Gov. Jeff Landry addresses the Legislature on the opening day of the 2025 session on Monday.
Governor faces legislative opposition BY TYLER BRIDGES
Staff writer
Gov. Jeff Landry on Monday pinned the blame for Louisiana’s car insurance crisis on both trial lawyers and insurance companies, saying “a dark cloud continues to linger in the halls of this Capitol” over the issue. But as Landry opened the
ä Teacher pay among top education issues. PAGE 4A
um and jabbing his finger for emphasis. “Year after year after year, we come here to argue about 2025 regular legislative ses- excessive insurance rates,” sion, it was not clear that the Landry told lawmakers. “Year 144 House and Senate mem- after year, people from both bers sitting in front of him sides show up to gaslight us.” But while legislators apagree with his approach. Landry was animated as he plauded him while seated from gave an unusually long 63-min- time to time, the two biggest ute speech, pounding the podi- standing ovations he received
Legislation may overhaul post-conviction process Bill would shorten time to executions Staff writer
WEATHER HIGH 78 LOW 59 PAGE 6B
ä See LANDRY, page 4A
Solutions to home insurance crisis sought Measures filed to ramp up oversight
BY MEGHAN FRIEDMANN As the state resumes executions of death row prisoners, a bill in the Legislature aims to cut back on the time people convicted of crimes can spend trying to reduce or overturn their sentences, and it would vest more power over the process with the Attorney General’s Office. The move also comes seven months after state lawmakers took action against Orleans Parish District Attorney Jason Williams over deals he made through the post-conviction relief process to reduce the sentences of long-serving inmates. Attorney General Liz Murrill, a conservative Republican with a staunch prodeath penalty stance, says House Bill 572 would prevent victims from waiting decades to see justice done. She has long complained that families of victims must wait too long to see death row inmates executed due to lengthy appeals processes. In Louisiana, death row inmates have sat in prison for decades awaiting execution.
came from his senior legislative staff and Cabinet seated in one corner of the House chamber. A few House Democrats stood to applaud at one point when Landry said a person’s credit score shouldn’t influence their insurance rates. Landry faces opposition from many Republican House members, led by a group of 15 freshmen. They are pushing for changes that would tilt car
BY SAM KARLIN Staff writer
STAFF PHOTO By HILARy SCHEINUK
Rep. Brian Glorioso, R-Slidell, is sponsoring House Bill 572, which would overhaul Louisiana’s post-conviction relief process.
Business ......................6A Commentary ................5B Nation-World................2A Classified .....................7D Deaths .........................3B Opinion ........................4B Comics-Puzzles .....3D-6D Living............................1D Sports ..........................1C
12TH yEAR, NO. 246