Eric La Fleur - Issues

Issues

Recent legislation spearheaded and passed by LaFleur included the "Castle" doctrine legislation, House Bill 1097 backed by the National Rifle Association (NRA), that provided civil immunity to victims of crime who lawfully use deadly force to protect themselves and their families against a violent attack. A companion bill House Bill 89, also by Representative LaFleur, and supported by the NRA created presumptions in law for the use of force against intruders in your home, car or place of business and explicitly states in law that you have no “duty to retreat” from criminal attack if you are in a place where you have a legal right to be.

He also promoted and passed ethics reform legislation prohibiting fundraisers during legislative sessions and the application of ethics reporting rules for those people lobbying or trying to influence non-elected executive level employees. In 2007, he and fellow Representatives, Michael Jackson and Don Cazayoux, filed additional ethics reform measures requiring income disclosure for members of the Louisiana House of Representatives. Their bill, House bill 723, provided for the most comprehensive ethics reform package in recent Louisiana legislative history. In sum, the bill would have "equire legislators and candidates for the state legislature to disclose certain income.” While the comprehensive legislation failed to pass, it helped shape the gubernatorial campaign in 2007 as both candidates Bobby Jindal and Walter Boasso adopted it into their campaigns. La Fleur was the author of other bills restricting executive branch lobbying, prohibiting political fundraising activities during session, and requiring legislative oversight and accountability from the governing boards of state retirement systems.

LaFleur is a strong proponent for the preservation of the French language and Cajun and Crèole culture in Louisiana. La Fleur filed legislation to reconstitute the board of the CODOFIL and provided that board with new missions and objectives, including the development of at least one French immersion school in each of the 23 parishes that make up Acadiana on or before 2016. He promoted the adoption of an incentive programs for the development of new or the expansion of existing immersion schools. The Louisiana Board of Elementary and Secondary Education adopted an incentive program at LaFleur's urging in 2011. The program became known as Renaissance Louisiane, adopted from a similar program used in Manitoba. La Fleur serves as president of the French speaking section of the state legislature.

LaFleur opposes abortion and gun control and enjoyed the endorsement of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry in his last two elections.LaFleur speaks French, plays saxophone in the band Déjà Vu, and is currently training for his private pilot license. LaFleur enjoys duck and dove hunting and is runner, logging approximately 15 miles per week.