There’s more to the October and November elections than who might be waiting in the wings on this final day of qualifying. In fact, you’ll be asked to vote this fall on six major policy items that are completely unconnected to political candidates. There are five proposed constitutional amendments on the Oct. 22 ballot and another slated to coincide with the Nov. 19 run-offs. To be sure, it’s keeping with tradition; since the last convention was held in 1974, Louisiana’s constitution has grown by 150 amendments. The first set of proposed amendments deals almost exclusively with the state budget. Here’s an overview:
• Amendment No. 1 redirects tobacco settlement proceeds to the TOPS scholarship program. It also makes permanent 4 cents of the state’s 36-cent tax on cigarettes.
• Amendment No. 2 dedicates a minimum of 10% of nonrecurring revenue for the unfunded accrued liability in the state’s retirement systems.
• Amendment No. 3 establishes the Patient’s Compensation Fund for medical malpractice claimants.
• Amendment No. 4 uses deposits from mineral revenue to recoup money withdrawn from the Budget Stabilization Fund, known more commonly as the rainy day fund.
• Amendment No. 5 permits tax collectors to offer and sell property in New Orleans with no minimum bid under certain circumstances.
If you want to learn more, the legislative services division of the House of Representatives might be a good place to start. They’ve compiled their own overview here. —Jeremy Alford
