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Vice President Pence Rallies Support In Louisiana For Trump Budget

Governor Mike Pence speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona.
Gage Skidmore
/
flickr.com/gageskidmore
Governor Mike Pence speaking with supporters at a campaign rally at the Mesa Convention Center in Mesa, Arizona.

In his second trip to Louisiana as Vice President, Mike Pence spent Wednesday promoting President Donald Trump’s plans for the economy.  

Pence’s first stop was to visit with a Denham Springs couple who rebuilt their home following the August floods. Pence met with the same homeowners last summer.

Then, at Cajun Industries in Port Allen, Pence spent time with business leaders discussing the how Obamacare has impacted jobs. In a speech afterwards, he touted the Trump Administration’s energy plan, which emphasizes growth in offshore oil and gas extraction.

“The president knows that our energy, oil and gas in particular, are the lifeblood not only of Louisiana, but of America,” said Pence. “That’s why he’s been breaking down barriers standing in the way of offshore drilling.”

But Governor John Bel Edwards, who greeted Pence as he arrived in Baton Rouge, has expressed concerns about how the Trump budget proposal would affect Louisiana’s economy.  The plan would eliminate payments the state receives from offshore drilling.

Louisiana congressman Garret Graves joined Pence on the trip. 

Copyright 2017 WWNO - New Orleans Public Radio

Wallis Watkins is a Baton Rouge native. She received her Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Philosophy from Louisiana State University in 2013. Soon after, she joined WRKF as an intern and is now reporting on health and health policy for Louisiana's Prescription.