— EARLY VOTING: Through Saturday, 656,155 Louisiana residents had voted early in person for the November election, and 105,006 had turned in absentee ballots, for a total of 761,161 votes already cast, Secretary of State Nancy Landry said, adding that the total was close to what was seen at this point during the last presidential election in 2020. She told the Baton Rouge Press Club that the election has been going smoothly, though a few voters were upset because they were asked to adhere to rules against electioneering, which ban wearing apparel that expresses support for a candidate. 

— WELL REPORT: The number of documented orphaned wells in Louisiana increased from 2,846 in July 2013 to 4,785 in April 2024, the Louisiana Legislative Auditor reports. The LLA also says the state Department of Energy and Natural Resources’ Office of Conservation does not monitor the Louisiana Oilfield Restoration Association closely enough to ensure LORA remains solvent and complies with the requirements of its agreement with the state. In response, DENR says the creation of the Natural Resources Trust Authority, through Rep Brett Geymann’s Act 727 from this year’s regular session, will address issues raised in the reports. LORA and an assistant commissioner with the Office of Conservation have faced scrutiny due to public corruption allegations. 

— NFIB ON SPECIAL SESH: Gov. Jeff Landry’s tax reform special session could be both good and bad news for Louisiana’s small businesses, said Leah Long, who directs the state chapter of the National Federation of Independent Business. “Louisiana has needed tax reform for a long time, but it’s the details that matter,” she said in a prepared statement. “We will be watching closely and urging legislators not to pass anything that would raise costs or make it harder for Louisiana’s Main Street businesses to grow, create jobs, and serve their communities.” Long has raised concerns about the administrative burden that could be created for service providers who have not previously had to collect and remit sales taxes. 

— HURRICANE AID: U.S. Sens. Bill Cassidy and John Kennedy on Monday announced about $3.6 million in federal aid for Louisiana tied to hurricanes Laura, Delta and Ida. The money will be divided among the Society of the Roman Catholic Church of the Diocese of Lafayette (about $1.3 million) the state Office of Risk Management ($1.2 million) and the Greater Lafourche Port Commission ($1.1 million). 

— UPCOMING FUNDRAISER: The Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus and the Central Democratic Committee PAC is holding a golf tournament on Monday, Nov. 4 at the University Club of Baton Rouge. Sponsorships range from $25,000 for a title sponsor to $450 for a hole sponsor; player fees are $300 per golfer. See more events here. Want your event listed? Send it to [email protected]!

— NEW POD: Recorded in November 2016, this episode from The LaPolitics Report podcast archives spotlights then-Congressman Ralph Abraham (now the secretary of the Louisiana Department of Health) discussing his life in a small town as both a physician and veterinarian. While it may sound sleepy, Abraham’s travels have brought him everywhere from the Amazon to Haiti as a mountain climber, pilot and leader on mission trips. We also kicked off this episode with a blast from our political past featuring late Gov. John McKeithen. In a television interview from yesteryear, you’ll hear McKeithen explain the real politics from one of his most memorable endorsements. Listen now on Spotify and Apple!

— NEW COLUMN: In an exclusive column for Wednesday’s edition of Beltway Beat, Ethan Melancon, advocacy director for the Coalition to Restore Coastal Louisiana, explains why federal revenue sharing is critical for Louisiana’s future, and why it’s only fair. 

— CORRECTION: Last week’s edition of The Tracker contained incorrect information about fundraising for the Public Service Commission race that is on the ballot in November. The post has been corrected.