Monday’s vote by the Louisiana House of Representatives to elect Rep. Taylor Barras, R-New Iberia, as Speaker of the House instead of Democratic Rep. Walt Leger may suggest looming battles in the upcoming legislative sessions.
But for now, state lawmakers are striking a conciliatory tone and promising to work together to solve the state’s fiscal crisis.
As the House convened this morning for an organizational session, Barras thanked his colleagues for electing him and singled out fellow Republican lawmakers Cameron Henry, Rob Shadoin and Jim Morris—who were also vying for the speaker post—for stepping aside when it became clear Barras had the votes to beat Leger, a New Orleans Democrat who had been Gov. John Bel Edwards’ choice for the powerful post. House members gave those three lawmakers a standing ovation.
Barras then gave the floor to Leger, who was voted by colleagues Monday to continue as speaker pro tem, a position he has held for the past four years. Leger also vowed to put partisanship aside.
“Mr. Speaker, to you I want to offer my hand of support to you in every way possible,” Leger said. “I have always known you to be a very kind man and also very giving and caring. Those attributes will no doubt be on display even more now in your new leadership role.”
Will the feelings of goodwill carry over in the special and regular sessions, when lawmakers will face difficult choices to deal with a $1.9 billion revenue shortfall, including a $750 million deficit in the current fiscal year budget?
At least one Baton Rouge lawmaker thinks so. Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, who helped broker Sunday night’s compromise that resulted in Barras’ election as speaker, says the governor is a moderate Democrat and the new speaker is a moderate Republican, and both can cross party lines.
“Taylor is the right guy for the spot,” Carter says. “He is moderate. He is smart. He gets along with people, and he is not divisive at all.”
—Stephanie Riegel
