Jindal willing to call a special session over tenure law

Gov. Bobby Jindal says he’s confident education reforms passed last year ultimately will be found constitutional. But if major changes are thrown out, and it’s too late to replace them in the regular session that begins April 8, Jindal says he’d be willing to call for a special session. “None of us can predict the timing of the courts,” he says. “I am willing to call a special session to get those teacher reform bills passed again, if that becomes necessary.” The Louisiana Supreme Court will take up the state’s expanded voucher program Tuesday. The state also will appeal a ruling against a law that greatly restricts teacher tenure, among other objectives. Jindal specifically mentioned the latter law as one that might trigger the need for a special session. Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, asked at a tax reform briefing Thursday if challenges to recent legislation might distract lawmakers during a session when they’re also taking on tax reform and budget shortfalls. “I’m confident in the Legislature’s ability to do multiple things at one time,” Jindal says, adding, “I think we’ll win in court.” A district court ruled the tenure bill violates a prohibition against bills having multiple objects. Similar concerns have been raised about the potential “tax swap” bill. Rep. Joel Robideaux, R-Lafayette, who would sponsor the legislation, says his understanding is that a single tax swap bill would be constitutional. Department of Revenue head Tim Barfield says it hasn’t been decided how many bills are needed. —David Jacobs