BATON ROUGE (AP) — Louisiana's candidates for governor assured a group of oil and gas business leaders they understand the industry's value to the state.
To highlight their support, the three GOP contenders — U.S. Sen. David Vitter, Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne and Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle — backed a list of regulatory and civil law changes pushed by industry leaders.
But the Democratic candidate, state Rep. John Bel Edwards, was more measured in his comments, refusing to embrace several of the lawsuit limitations and legal changes sought.
The men spoke at a Friday forum sponsored by the Louisiana Oil and Gas Association.
Vitter and Dardenne said they opposed local lawsuits filed against oil and gas companies for wetlands damage. Edwards said lawmakers shouldn't tell local governments whether they can pursue legal action.
– by AP Reporter Melinda Deslatte
