Equal Rights Amendment is back on the Louisiana agenda

It has been 37 years, almost to the month, since Congress sent a proposed constitutional amendment for women’s rights to the states. The Equal Rights Amendment created 10 years of intense debate and progressive advocacy that almost seems retro today. But only 35 states ratified the amendment during this historic wake, just three states shy of what’s needed to make an alteration to the U.S. Constitution. As one of those states where the measure remains unratified, Louisiana has long been a target. Despite disagreements among legal scholars that the amendment still has a life (five states have since rescinded their approving votes), a group of Democratic lawmakers are planning to file the appropriate resolutions during the regular session that convenes later this month. Sen. Yvonne Dorsey of Baton Rouge and Rep. Rosalind Jones of Monroe have both committed as sponsors. To read the full story, click here. – Jeremy Alford