Gov. Edwards to AG Landry: Butt out

Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards tried to seize control of a simmering feud with Republican Attorney General Jeff Landry by sending Landry a letter telling him to butt out of the administration's legal business.

In the letter, which was sent Friday, Edwards also said he intends to ask for a report on all contracts for legal services with the state.

The governor's response follows his decision Thursday to drop the appeal of a Bobby Jindal-era federal lawsuit seeking to block Common Core. Edwards said he opposes Common Core, but the lawsuit was rendered moot following new federal legislation and a Common Core compromise reached by the Louisiana Legislature last year.

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Landry surprised Edwards late Thursday by sending out his own news release saying he, not the governor, would decide whether the case would continue. “As Louisiana attorney general, I am intervening in this case, and I will determine if it will proceed,” Landry said Thursday.

"I read with interest your comments about my decision to dismiss the Common Core litigation pending in the 5th Circuit," Edwards wrote to Landry. "... As in any case the client, not the attorney, should ultimately make the decisions on the course of action, and I have decided this case will not proceed.

"I fully expect that we will be able to work well together and that my administration will agree to have your office handle much of the work for the state," the letter continued. "However, my administration can and will defend itself in court whenever I deem appropriate."

Edwards said he won't continue to "waste any state resources on cases brought for political purposes" or "meritless cases meant to advance a political agenda."

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The case, which was filed by Jindal in 2014 when he was governor, was dismissed by Baton Rouge U.S. District Judge Shelly Dick, but Jindal appealed to the 5th Circuit.

Edwards said he expects the court to be notified of his decision by the end of business Monday.

In Edwards' salutation, he addressed Landry as "Dear Jeff" rather than "General Landry" or "Attorney General Landry."

Gannett Louisiana has reached out to Landry's office for comment.

Richard Carbo, the governor's spokesman, declined to comment further. "The letter speaks for itself," he said.

Follow Greg Hilburn on Twitter @GregHilburn1