Front view of the Capitol

Lowering Costs for Louisianians

 

The pandemic changed how our economy works. Both here in Louisiana and across the country, record numbers of people are spending more on products, like kitchen appliances and groceries, and spending less on services, like going to restaurants. As a result, we’re seeing supply chain and shipping issues all over the world, which have led to higher prices as large container ships are backed up in Asia, Europe, and here in the U.S. It also means that the Louisiana economy, which depends in large part upon small businesses and the service industry, has been seriously challenged.

 

“We need to concentrate on things that bring us together — education, infrastructure, health care, safety, flooding. These issues aren’t political, they aren’t partisan. We are one Louisiana, one America — and have to act that way. I wake up every day with that effort in mind.”

 

My priority is on concrete solutions that can help solve this problem and lower costs for hardworking Louisianans - not empty promises or political games that will take us backward. We must continue to build upon the progress that we’re making in our recovery.

 

Thanks to the American Rescue Plan, more than 2.4 million people are vaccinated, our schools and small businesses are open again, and we have the tools necessary to keep them safely open. Furthermore, in 2021 our economy created 6.6 million jobs - the most in U.S. history- along with the strongest economic growth since 1984. We also have to stay vigilant to ensure that big corporations aren’t taking advantage of this situation to squeeze for profit.

 

Here are some concrete steps I’m taking to help make a difference.

 

Lowering Taxes for Americans

 

Lower Health Care Costs 

  • Lower Prescription Drug Prices:
    • We can’t allow big-name pharmaceutical companies to get away with increasing the price tag of insulin, forcing citizens to ration this life-saving drug.
    • After I spoke on the floor detailing the needs for insulin regulation, Congress passed the Affordable Insulin NOW Act, which would cap the cost of a 30-day supply of insulin to $35. 
  • I’m proud to co-sponsor the Healthy Equity and Accountability Act (HR 7585). This will reduce racial and ethnic health inequities, ensure culturally responsive behavior health services, address social determinants of health outcomes, support diversity among healthcare workers, and strengthen healthcare data collection. I believe everyone deserves accessible, affordable, and quality healthcare. 

 

Lowering Grocery and Consumer Costs

We must stop big corporations from taking advantage of and profiting from a global crisis, especially in industries like oil and meatpacking. That’s why the American Rescue Plan provides $1 billion for the expansion of independent processing capacity to increase competition and lower prices. 

  • Shop Simple with MyPlate App: The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s smartphone app may be able to help you find healthy food savings in your area and prepare budget-friendly meals.
     
  • Food Assistance: You may qualify for help to put food on the table

 

  • De-regulating the Supply Chain

 


 

Uplifting Small Businesses and Creating Higher Paying Jobs

  • Small Business Advocacy Improvement Act – My bill passed the House 
  • H.R. 7451 Revitalizing Small and Local Businesses Act - This will establish a competitive grant that will help local businesses provide specialized technical assistance, capacity building, and related services that will help revitalize low-income, rural, and minority communities.
    • (Introduced to the House 4/7/22; referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management)
  • H.R. 3684 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act - This will create a national network of public-private partnerships that assist minority business enterprises in accessing capital, contracts, and grants, creating and maintaining jobs, providing counseling and mentoring, and facilitating the growth of minority business enterprises by promoting trade

 

The American Rescue Plan:

 

We have to keep building on the progress we’re making in our recovery. More than 211 million people are fully vaccinated, our schools and small businesses are open again, and we have the tools to keep them open safely. And in 2021, our economy created 6.6 million jobs – the most in U.S. history – along with the strongest growth since 1984.

 

This all didn’t happen by accident. The American Rescue Plan, the bipartisan infrastructure law, and more are helping to lead the way. I’ll continue to remain focused on creating new, higher-paying jobs so hardworking Louisianans can live more affordably.

“The American Rescue Plan gave Louisianians reason to hope that we could finally defeat this pandemic,” - Congressman Troy Carter.

  • $3 billion for Louisiana’s state and local governments, helping to preserve services, scale up testing, distribute vaccines, and keep essential workers on the job – including health care workers, police, firefighters, teachers, and food, sanitation, and transportation workers
  • A new record of 5.4 million new small businesses was created: a full million more small businesses than in the year before. As a member of the House Small Business Committee, I am proud to support the small business community. 
  • 89 of Louisiana’s colleges and universities have received over $683 million from the Department of Education’s allocation in the American Rescue Plan.
  • The Louisiana Legislature passed Act 410 to immediately appropriate $1.6 billion of this funding to new state programs focused on statewide recovery efforts.
  • $300 million will go towards the Water Sector Program, to provide grant funding for repairs, improvements, and consolidation of community water and sewer systems around the state.
  • $95 million will go towards supporting 36 health centers across the state.

 

Bipartisan Infrastructure Law: As a member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, I helped pass this bipartisan and historic law to help rebuild our roads, bridges, broadband, and much more. This historic $7 billion investment into the state of Louisiana will help us prepare for natural disasters, save state funds, avoid energy blackouts, and cut costs over the long term in Louisiana.

 

Bridge
  • A total investment of at least $335.5 million to Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional district dedicated to road and bridge projects
  • $41.6 million towards the IWGO Green Bridge in New Orleans East, $30 million for the Gramercy Veterans Memorial Bridge connecting St. James and St. John the Baptist Parish
  • Help connect every American to reliable high-speed internet- 19% of Louisiana households do not have an internet subscription. Under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, Louisiana will receive a minimum allocation of $100 million to help provide broadband coverage across the state, including providing access to the at least 470,000 Louisianans who currently lack it. 
    • 1.6 million or 37.2% of people in Louisiana will be eligible for the Affordability Connectivity Benefit, which will help low-income families afford internet access.
  • $29.9 million will expand the broadband capabilities in the Acadiana region and serve 22,196 households

“Thanks to the President’s Infrastructure Law, which I was proud to support, we are now one step closer to bridging the digital chasm that has held back parts of Louisiana for far too long.” - Congressman Troy Carter

Fighting to Reform the National Flood Insurance Program

 

My colleagues and I sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Deanne Criswell calling for FEMA to delay the rollout of the National Flood Insurance Program’s Risk Rating 2.0 calculation system. The letter focused on our deep concerns about how Risk Rating 2.0 will ratchet up premium costs for homeowners in our districts.

“From Hurricanes Katrina and Ida to Superstorm Sandy, our constituents have a firsthand experience of the negative impacts of climate change and understand well the importance of flood prevention, preparedness, recovery, and mitigation. Without comprehensive affordable coverage, homeowners in our communities risk losing everything and so families place deep reliance on the National Flood Insurance Program (NFIP).”

Rep. Steve Scalise and I released an op-ed specifying how alarming the secretive flood insurance plan is, and how it will place our Louisiana constituents at a disadvantage. By hiking prices with little reasoning, this plan will price out Louisiana policyholders and place a significant financial burden on those damaged by flooding.

 

  • In Louisiana, policyholders will see increases that total more than 129%.
  • 80% of Louisiana policyholders and 77% of policyholders nationwide will see an increase in their flood insurance plans - this is an unsustainable premium increase.
  • By FEMA’s estimates, 20% of policyholders would drop their NFIP coverage if the Risk Rating 2.0 plan is enacted.


 

Community Project Funding

 

I was proud to secure and advocate for over $31 million in community project funding for Louisiana’s Second District. This will help provide mental health services, upgrade our sewage and water systems, public health research, and student services, upgrade parks, build a new public athletic venue, and more. The congressional funding of these services will help lead to cost savings at the local and state level.

 

Releasing Gas and Petroleum Reserves 

 

As investments from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law hit Louisiana communities, Congressional Democrats remain laser-focused on fighting Putin’s Price Hike: lowering costs will provide needed funding to slash commute times, lower costs for working families, combat harmful carbon pollution, and support good-paying, union jobs. I am proud to have voted in favor of this critical victory for Louisianans, and I will continue partnering with our state and local leaders to put these game-changing investments to work.

 

These funds can be invested in a range of eligible projects, including:

  • Public transit services
  • Electric vehicle charging infrastructure
  • Traffic flow improvements
  • Congestion management technology
  • Pedestrian and cycle trails


 

Constituent Services

 

My office supported over 800 individuals in their efforts to get more than $500,000 back in 2021

 

PHOTOS FROM CURBSIDES

SUMMARY GRAPHIC OF 2021

 

My team of caseworkers is proud to provide “curbside” services for the constituents of Louisiana’s 2nd Congressional district – subscribe to my newsletter to get updated about future events in your area. 

 

My offices are located throughout the district, ready to answer your questions and provide assistance with federal agencies. We have offices in Algiers, New Orleans, Gretna, Baton Rouge, and the River Parishes, that will help you with issues you may face with federal institutions. Reach out at troycarter.house.gov/contact

 

casework success - State Dept

 

 

Learn more about what my office accomplished during my first year in office. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IDZNAk4FdOA