Louisiana’s Republican Gov. Jeff Landry continues to blame philanthropist and billionaire George Soros for the defeat of Amendment 2 on March 29 that killed a rewrite of the finance article of the state constitution. Soros is often a scapegoat for Republican conservatives, even when he isn’t involved.

Landry now has his own billionaire helping him promote school choice, but he isn’t complaining. His spokesperson didn’t respond to a request from The Advocate for a comment on his supporter.

Jeffrey Steven Yass is the American billionaire businessman who helps fund Club for Growth, an organization that is helping Landry by financing an advertisement promoting school choice.

Before getting into that story, here is more news on those billionaires:

Real Clear Politics in January said, “A Jewish Holocaust survivor, Soros fled communism in Hungary and immigrated to the United States, finding success on Wall Street as a hedge fund magnate.”

One report said Soros influenced the fall of communism in Eastern Europe in the late 1980s and early 1990s. He has funded some worthwhile causes and does support progressive and liberal issues. Between 1979 and 2017, Soros donated more than $12 billion to reduce poverty and increase transparency and on scholarships and universities around the world.

Yass has a net worth of $59 billion, according to Forbes. He is the richest man in Pennsylvania and the 25^th wealthiest person in the world. He is a registered Libertarian who gives money to conservative super political action committees.

Both Yass and his wife are supporters of school choice and have donated tens of millions of dollars to the cause. And that brings us back to the Club for Growth’s advertisement.

The club bought airtime on television channels across the state, including those in New Orleans, Baton Rouge, Lafayette, Shreveport and Lake Charles, according to a filing with the Federal Communications Commission.

The ad that started running Sunday targets Louisiana legislators who have challenged Landry’s school choice plan called LA GATOR. It urges Louisiana voters to contact their state representatives and demand that they “fully fund” the scholarship program.

Landry has proposed putting $93.5 million into the program next school year. However, some top state lawmakers, including Senate President Cameron Henry, R-Metairie, want to spend about half that much.

While the ad displays phone numbers for the Louisiana House and Senate, a voice-over says, “Tell them, ‘Don’t shortchange our kids,’”

Club for Growth says it has funded campaigns in 10 other states promoting programs similar to Louisiana’s. The Advocate said the club spent millions in Texas to unseat Republican lawmakers who were opposed to school vouchers, helping clear the way for that state’s Legislature to pass a major voucher bill.

David McIntosh, president of Club for Growth, in a statement last year said, “Make no mistake — if you call yourself a Republican and oppose school freedom, you should expect to lose your next primary.”

The ad calls Louisiana’s new voucher-like program “Landry’s education freedom plan.” The newspaper said a Club for Growth spokesperson said they spent “six figures” on the ad and for outreach to residents digitally and over the phone.

The spokesperson wouldn’t say whether the group coordinated with Landry’s office, which didn’t respond to a request for comment. That is pretty much the Landry administration’s method of operation when it comes to commenting on almost anything.

The Advocate said Club for Growth, which promotes free enterprise and limited government, describes itself and its political arms as “the largest and most successful conservative political giving group.”

In 2023, the club endorsed Landry in his bid to become governor, citing his support for “school choice voucher programs.” It spent nearly $16 million during state elections in Texas and Tennessee last year to defeat Republicans it says opposed school vouchers.

McIntosh, the club’s president, said, “The school freedom revolution is just beginning.”

Landry hasn’t provided any proof that Soros was a major player in the defeat of Amendment 2. It had numerous opponents because it was so complicated and wide-ranging.

The governor forgets that what Yass is doing is what Soros often does and it is typical politics and it isn’t illegal. If those who have wealth want to use it to promote various causes, that is their prerogative. Unfortunately, this nation’s and state laws and court rulings have allowed unlimited and extremely large political contributions possible.

Jim Beam, the retired editor of the American Press, has covered people and politics for more than six decades. Contact him at 337-515-8871 or jim.beam.press@gmail.com.

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