Orrick Public Policy Podcast #14 – A Conversation with Louisiana Senator Sharon Hewitt

For our fourteenth episode, Public Policy Podcast hosts Michelle McGann and Jon Mandel were joined by Louisiana Senator Sharon Hewitt, Chair of the Senate & Governmental Affairs Committee and the Louisiana Republican Legislative Delegation. Join us as we discuss Louisiana’s recovery from this hurricane season in the midst of a pandemic, the Senator’s efforts to recruit more women to run for state office, passing a landmark tort reform bill and alligator hunting. Yes, you read that correctly.

Episode 14 Guest: Louisiana Senator Sharon Hewitt

Senator Sharon Hewitt came to the Louisiana Senate as a recognized civic and community leader with decades of volunteer service to area children and families. The Lake Charles native and long-time resident of Slidell holds a bachelor of science in mechanical engineering from Louisiana State University. As an engineering executive, Sharon managed major deepwater assets in the Gulf of Mexico for Shell and earned a reputation as a passionate, committed problem solver.

As the demands of a young family grew, the Slidell Republican focused her energies on her children, husband and community. Over the years, she worked to improve education policies and to grow STEM programs in local schools, earning the National PTA Life Achievement Award for her leadership. The Senator continues to support families and children through her volunteer work with East St. Tammany Habitat for Humanity and Junior Auxiliary of Slidell.

As a state senator, Sharon has focused her efforts on stabilizing the state budget, improving education, creating jobs, investing in infrastructure, advocating for families and restoring Louisiana’s coast. She currently serves as vice-chair of the Senate Transportation, Highways & Public Works Committee, and is a member of the Senate Environmental Quality Committee, the Joint Legislative Committee on the Budget and the Senate Finance Committee, which oversees the state budgeting process.

Sharon also has a strong voice on how coastal restoration dollars are spent as a member of the Governor’s Advisory Commission for the Coastal Protection and Restoration Authority and the Select Committee on Coastal Restoration and Flood Control.

As a member of both the Select Committee on Women and Children and the Louisiana Policy and Research Commission, Sharon advocates for policies that will improve the lives of women and children throughout the state. She also represents Louisiana on two important national energy panels – the Southern Legislative Conference Energy and Environment Committee and the Energy Council.