Ryan Eugene Gatti (born June 1974) is an attorney in his native
Bossier City
Bossier City ( ) is a city in Bossier Parish in the northwestern region of the U.S. state of Louisiana in the United States. It is the second most populous city in the Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan statistical area. In 2020, it had a ...
, Louisiana, who was a
Republican
Republican can refer to:
Political ideology
* An advocate of a republic, a type of government that is not a monarchy or dictatorship, and is usually associated with the rule of law.
** Republicanism, the ideology in support of republics or agains ...
member of the
Louisiana Senate
The Louisiana State Senate (french: Sénat de Louisiane) is the upper house of the Louisiana State Legislature, state legislature of Louisiana. All senators serve four-year terms and are assigned to multiple committees.
Composition
The Louis ...
from 2016 until 2020 for
District 36
A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...
.
Gatti served as vice-chairman of the Insurance Committee and on the Natural Resources Committee, Judiciary A Committee and Military Affairs.
Legislation 2016–2018
Gatti filed numerous bills during 2016, 2017 and 2018. SB 24 would have lowered taxes paid by individuals on oil and gas bonuses and royalties to "zero" but it failed to pass committee. Gatti also partnered with Rep. Tanner Magee to file HB 220 which would have lowered the state portion of the sales tax from 5 percent to 3 percent; however this bill stalled in the House Committee.
2016 Sessions
SB 33 which was signed into law made it a crime punishable by 10–50 years in prison and a $50,000.00 fine per instance for selling fetal organs as a result of an abortion. Over sixty legislators joined as co-author of the bill. As a result of his efforts, Gatti was recognized by Louisiana Family Forum with a "Life and Liberty Award."
SB 34 prohibited increase in motor vehicle premiums when a driver caused at accident with an uninsured motorists, however the bill stalled in committee. SB 35 required explosive companies to carry $50 million in liability coverage; however, the bill did not pass. This bill was filed in response to the bankruptcy of Explo, LLC after an explosion that occurred in Gatti's district.
SB 36 would have excluded doctors from the $500,000.00 medical malpractice cap for advertising as a specialist when they were not so certified.
SB 37 protected military families with special needs children when they relocated to Louisiana by putting those families as the front of the line for services for their children. The bill was converted to a study resolution informing military parents of other viable options with the Department of the Military.
SB 41 would have doubled supplemental pay for firefighters and police officers, but it did not pass out of committee.
SB 44 was signed into law and lowers workers' compensation rates for businesses is certain circumstances.
2017 Sessions
SB 17 was signed into law and provided for training of drivers in appropriate behavior during traffic stops.
SB 63 was signed into law and provided insurance coverage for certain occupational diseases and cancers suffered by firefighters and related to their job duties.
SB 64 was signed into law and requires additional training and supervision of Animal Control employees.
2018 Sessions
SB 73 was signed into law and created the "Fetal Organ Whistleblower Account" which provides compensation for whistleblowers who provide information of persons violating Louisiana Law prohibiting the sale of fetal organs from planned abortions.
SB 129 was signed into law and increased the age of eligibility for foster care from 18 until graduation from high school or 21 whichever occurs first. The bill was applauded as the "best bill of the session" by Gatti's colleague, Senator Ronnie Johns, R- Lake Charles.
SB 211 was signed into law and allowed courts to test biological parents for synthetic drugs before reuniting children in foster care with their parents.
SB 212 was signed into law and allows the Department of Transportation to rent or lease necessary equipment. Prior to this law, the department was only allowed to purchase equipment.
SB 299 did not pass, but it required that if one business receives a benefit from government, then all businesses receive the same benefit.
SB 319 was signed into law and abolished unnecessary and inactive boards and commissions.
SB 458 was signed into law and excluded First Degree Murderers from Medical Furlough. It also provided that notice must begin to all residents of a nursing home or hospital before an offender can be releasaed from prison to the facility. This bill was filed in response to a Medical Furlough request from a first degree murderer.
Political career
Within 23 months of being sworn in, Gatti visited every school in his district delivering a Louisiana Flag to each school. Gatti has held over 50 town hall meetings from Plain Dealing and Castor to Springhill and Haughton. Gatti tells the story of the Mama Pelican on the Louisiana Flag.
In 2003, Gatti ran unsuccessfully for the District 8 seat in the
Louisiana House of Representatives
The Louisiana House of Representatives (french: link=no, Chambre des Représentants de Louisiane) is the lower house in the Louisiana State Legislature, the state legislature of the U.S. state of Louisiana. This chamber is composed of 105 repr ...
against fellow Republican
Jane H. Smith, a former school superintendent for
Bossier Parish
Bossier Parish ( ; french: Paroisse de Bossier) is a parish located in the northwestern part of the U.S. state of Louisiana. At the 2010 census, the population was 116,979, and 128,746 in 2020.
The parish seat is Benton. The principal city is ...
. He received 3,456 votes (33.1 percent) to Smith's 6,999 (66.9 percent).
Twelve years later, Gatti narrowly defeated fellow Republican
Henry Burns, a businessman and retired military officer originally from
Webster Parish
Webster Parish (French: ''Paroisse de Webster'') is a parish located in the northwestern section of the U.S. state of Louisiana.
The seat of the parish is Minden.
As of the 2010 census, the Webster Parish population was 41,207. In 2018, the p ...
, who left the state House after two terms to seek the Senate seat vacated by the
term-limited
A term limit is a legal restriction that limits the number of terms an officeholder may serve in a particular elected office. When term limits are found in presidential and semi-presidential systems they act as a method of curbing the potenti ...
Republican
Robert Adley
Robert James Adley (2 March 1935 – 13 May 1993) was a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom and railway enthusiast.
In the 1970s Adley was part-time Marketing Director for Holiday Inn (UK). He would brief his agency (Alexander ...
. Gatti polled 14,023 votes (50.6 percent); Burns amassed 13,698 (49.4 percent).
Gatti ran for state senator as an intra-party critic of the term-limited
Bobby Jindal
Piyush "Bobby" Jindal (born June 10, 1971) is an American politician who served as the 55th Governor of Louisiana from 2008 to 2016. The only living former Louisiana governor, Jindal also served as a member of the U.S. House of Representatives a ...
, who as the departing governor launched a brief unsuccessful bid in the
2016 presidential campaign
This national electoral calendar for 2016 lists the national/federal elections held in 2016 in all sovereign states and their dependent territories. By-elections are excluded, though national referendums are included.
January
*7 January: Kir ...
. Gatti is a close friend and supporter of Jindal's gubernatorial successor,
Democrat
Democrat, Democrats, or Democratic may refer to:
Politics
*A proponent of democracy, or democratic government; a form of government involving rule by the people.
*A member of a Democratic Party:
**Democratic Party (United States) (D)
**Democratic ...
John Bel Edwards
John Bel Edwards (born September 16, 1966) is an American politician and attorney serving as the 56th governor of Louisiana since 2016. A member of the Democratic Party, he previously served as the Democratic leader of the Louisiana House of ...
of
Tangipahoa Parish
Tangipahoa Parish (; French: ''Paroisse de Tangipahoa'') is a parish located in the southeast corner of the U.S. state of Louisiana. As of the 2010 census, the population was 121,097. The parish seat is Amite City, while the largest city is ...
, whom Gatti met while attending LSU Law School. In 2014, Edwards delivered a campaign speech at Gatti's law office. Gatti was a large donor to Edwards as well despite his position as the vice president of the Bossier Parish Republican Party.
U.S. Senator
The United States Senate is the upper chamber of the United States Congress, with the House of Representatives being the lower chamber. Together they compose the national bicameral legislature of the United States.
The composition and powe ...
David Vitter
David Bruce Vitter (born May 3, 1961) is an American lobbyist, lawyer, and politician who served as United States Senator for Louisiana from 2005 to 2017.
A Republican, Vitter served in the Louisiana House of Representatives from 1992 to 1999. ...
, the Republican choice, lost the race for governor in 2015 to Edwards.
Upon his election, Gatti promised to work to halt
Planned Parenthood
The Planned Parenthood Federation of America, Inc. (PPFA), or simply Planned Parenthood, is a nonprofit organization that provides reproductive health care in the United States and globally. It is a tax-exempt corporation under Internal Reve ...
from harvesting and selling organs from aborted children. He pledged to support higher education, to return local control to school boards, to eliminate the
Common Core State Standards Initiative
The Common Core State Standards Initiative, also known as simply Common Core, is an educational initiative from 2010 that details what K–12 students throughout the United States should know in English language arts and mathematics at the conc ...
, to address state budgetary shortfalls, and to support policies to enhance Louisiana's energy industries.
[
In March 2016, Gatti joined the Senate majority, 29–10, to increase the state ]sales tax
A sales tax is a tax paid to a governing body for the sales of certain goods and services. Usually laws allow the seller to collect funds for the tax from the consumer at the point of purchase. When a tax on goods or services is paid to a govern ...
for five years, as proposed by Governor John Bel Edwards. A House and Senate conference committee
A committee or commission is a body of one or more persons subordinate to a deliberative assembly. A committee is not itself considered to be a form of assembly. Usually, the assembly sends matters into a committee as a way to explore them more ...
subsequently trimmed the five years to twenty-seven months, from April 1, 2016, to June 30, 2018. Gatti voted against renewal of the sales tax in 2018 keeping a promise to his constituents.
In April 2018, upon the urging of Christian groups, Gatti voted against a bill which would have made it illegal to have sex with animals stating that the bill was simply a "Trojan horse" and that "the real purpose of the bill had nothing to do with bestiality." Several laws are already in place in Louisiana clearly making it illegal to commit this crime against the law this law was unnecessary. This bill was eventually passed only after it was not amended to change the remaining parts of the statute it was amending.
Personal life
In 1992, Gatti graduated co-valedictorian
Valedictorian is an academic title for the highest-performing student of a graduating class of an academic institution.
The valedictorian is commonly determined by a numerical formula, generally an academic institution's grade point average (GPA ...
of Airline High School
Airline High School is a High school, secondary school located in Bossier City, Louisiana, Bossier City, Louisiana, United States.
Athletics
Airline High athletics competes in the Louisiana High School Athletic Association, LHSAA.
Championships
...
in Bossier City. He then procured his undergraduate education in three years from Louisiana State University
Louisiana State University (officially Louisiana State University and Agricultural and Mechanical College, commonly referred to as LSU) is a public land-grant research university in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. The university was founded in 1860 nea ...
in the capital city of Baton Rouge
Baton Rouge ( ; ) is a city in and the capital of the U.S. state of Louisiana
Louisiana , group=pronunciation (French: ''La Louisiane'') is a state in the Deep South and South Central regions of the United States. It is the 20th-sma ...
, at which he was president of the fraternity
A fraternity (from Latin language, Latin ''wiktionary:frater, frater'': "brother (Christian), brother"; whence, "wiktionary:brotherhood, brotherhood") or fraternal organization is an organization, society, club (organization), club or fraternal ...
, Kappa Sigma
Kappa Sigma (), commonly known as Kappa Sig, is an American collegiate social fraternity founded at the University of Virginia in 1869. Kappa Sigma is one of the five largest international fraternities with currently 318 active chapters and colo ...
. Gatti attended the Honors College and was awarded Sophomore's Honors Distinction. Gatti was accepted to LSU Law Center serving as student body president and as student member to the Louisiana Board of Regents. While at Louisiana State University Law Center
The Paul M. Hebert Law Center, often styled "LSU Law", is a public law school in Baton Rouge, Louisiana. It is part of the Louisiana State University System and located on the main campus of Louisiana State University.
Because Louisiana is a ci ...
, he was a clerk to the state Senate.[ From 2007 to 2009, he was a judge of ]worker's compensation
Workers' compensation or workers' comp is a form of insurance providing wage replacement and medical benefits to employees injured in the course of employment in exchange for mandatory relinquishment of the employee's right to sue his or her emp ...
cases in Shreveport
Shreveport ( ) is a city in the U.S. state of Louisiana. It is the third most populous city in Louisiana after New Orleans and Baton Rouge, Louisiana, Baton Rouge, respectively. The Shreveport–Bossier City metropolitan area, with a population o ...
. He also owns and operates a farm near Plain Dealing in northern Bossier Parish, at which he grows oak tree
An oak is a tree or shrub in the genus ''Quercus'' (; Latin "oak tree") of the beech family, Fagaceae. There are approximately 500 extant species of oaks. The common name "oak" also appears in the names of species in related genera, notably '' ...
s.[ Gatti has operated his law firm since 2000.
The son of Robert and Jean Gatti, Senator Gatti has three brothers, Robbie and Jennifer Turner Gatti, Randy Gatti, and Regan Gatti.][ He is married to the former Susan Lockhart, formerly an assistant professor at the ]Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport
Louisiana State University Health Sciences Center Shreveport (LSU Health Shreveport) is a public university focused on the health sciences and located in Shreveport, Louisiana. It is part of the LSU System and is composed of three different scho ...
and previously the assistant headmaster at Providence Classical Academy in Bossier City.[ Susan Gatti received her PhD in psychology from LSU Baton Rouge and has published research in that area.(S.L. Gatti). The couple has three living daughters, Katherine, Elizabeth, and Charlotte Gatti. Another daughter, one of special needs since birth, Rebecca Leigh Gatti, died in 2017 at the age of ten.] Rebecca's struggle with a brain injury caused by an avoidable medical error is chronicled in a family blog.
At the time of his legislative election, Gatti was on a Christian mission trip to Haiti
Haiti (; ht, Ayiti ; French: ), officially the Republic of Haiti (); ) and formerly known as Hayti, is a country located on the island of Hispaniola in the Greater Antilles archipelago of the Caribbean Sea, east of Cuba and Jamaica, and ...
. He has made such trips to El Salvador
El Salvador (; , meaning " The Saviour"), officially the Republic of El Salvador ( es, República de El Salvador), is a country in Central America. It is bordered on the northeast by Honduras, on the northwest by Guatemala, and on the south b ...
and Mexico
Mexico (Spanish: México), officially the United Mexican States, is a country in the southern portion of North America. It is bordered to the north by the United States; to the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; to the southeast by Guatema ...
as well. Since 2012, he has been a trustee of the Southern Baptist Convention
The Southern Baptist Convention (SBC) is a Christian denomination based in the United States. It is the world's largest Baptist denomination, and the largest Protestant and second-largest Christian denomination in the United States. The wor ...
's Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission
The Ethics & Religious Liberty Commission (ERLC) is the public policy arm of the Southern Baptist Convention, the second-largest Christian denomination in the United States, with over 16 million members in over 43,000 independent churches. Pr ...
.
References
External links
Legislative homepage
Campaign website
{{DEFAULTSORT:Gatti, Ryan
1974 births
Living people
Republican Party Louisiana state senators
People from Bossier City, Louisiana
Louisiana lawyers
Farmers from Louisiana
Airline High School alumni
Louisiana State University alumni
Louisiana State University Law Center alumni
21st-century American politicians
Baptists from Louisiana