Not since 2010 have Louisiana lawmakers filed more constitutional amendments in a regular session, notes Jeremy Alford in his latest column, with more than half the proposed alterations to the state’s guiding charter involving taxes.
“The issues contained in these bills not only reveal the underlying will of the Legislature, but they also show a real appetite for change on several different political and policy levels,” Alford writes.
There have been 67 constitutional amendments introduced for the ongoing regular session, Alford says. The total compares to 57 in 2014, 54 in 2013, 51 in 2012, 31 in 2011 and 88 in 2010—the last high-water mark.
“The question is why now, and there are various answers,” Alford writes. “Many lawmakers have found inspiration in the chaos that is the state’s $1.6 billion shortfall. Others have been encouraged by Gov. Bobby Jindal’s final term, wanting to either challenge the powers of his office or maneuver around him. A few no doubt see re-election around the corner and are seeking an opportunity to appear on the ballot twice (once by name and again via a policy initiative).”
With all this interest, though, Alford says it’s surprising that lawmakers have not yet filed legislation calling for a state constitutional convention, as they have in previous sessions. “That’s probably for the best,” he writes. “Such a trajectory should only be the result of public meetings with a variety of stakeholders in deep discussion. It’s scary enough just to consider popping the hood on the Louisiana Constitution. To make that move without prior public notice in a 60-day session would be downright terrifying.”
Of the 67 amendments filed this session, Alford notes 35 are tax-related, 10 deal with how money is allocated in the budget, six specifically address education, five were filed to change the way the Legislature operates and three would impact voting practices. Others touch upon municipal incorporations, Medicaid, transportation, abortion and purchasing land from the government.
“If nothing else, the amendments filed for debate this year do offer a synopsis of the major battles brewing in the session,” he writes.
Jeremy Alford publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com. Follow him on Twitter, or on Facebook. He can be reached at JJA@LaPolitics.com.
