Members of the state House and Senate, along with the Edwards administration, were able to walk away from this term’s fourth special session last week. But they all did so knowing that a fifth would be needed sooner than later. For now it appears as if those watching the Capitol will get a little break. The speculation among legislative leaders is that the next special session may very well be the first session of 2017—perhaps in January or so. It’s ultimately up to Gov. John Bel Edwards, who is expected to issue the call, or agenda. Edwards wants lawmakers to address an approaching $1.2 billion shortfall for the 2018-2019 fiscal year. The bulk of the funding gap will arise due to the expiration of a temporary sales tax increase. So where does the governor go from here? It’s probably worth noting that Edwards never did completely remove from the policy table the recommendations generated by the Task Force on Structural Changes in Budget and Tax Policy. His team is said to be taking another long, hard look at the document.
—Supporting a gas tax increase might not play well with hard-right voters and groups like Americans For Prosperity, but Rep. Julie Stokes, R-Kenner, is learning that it’s really popular with donors. That’s not a terrible problem to have if you’re running for state treasurer. The Louisiana Asphalt Pavement Association is the latest group to come to the Stokes table and has scheduled a fundraiser for her. Here’s a look at what the asphalt folks think about the candidate, based on a recent internal email: “Rep. Stokes is the ONLY State Treasurer candidate that supported/supports infrastructure improvement. Her vote in committee and her continued vocal support was critical in advancing the infrastructure improvement legislation.” Stokes was also endorsed on the tail end of the regular session by Louisiana Associated General Contractors. Here’s an excerpt from a similar internal email: “Rep. Stokes is running for State Treasurer and she is the only such candidate that supported the fuel tax increase. LAGC will support Ms. Stokes for Treasurer and I encourage all LAGC members to do so also.” Three other Republicans are expected to qualify, including Angele Davis of Baton Rouge, state Sen. Neil Riser of Columbia and state Rep. John Schroder of Covington. Attorney Derrick Edwards of New Orleans is so far the only declared Democratic contender.
—They said it: “Government is like a fire. The more you feed it, the bigger it gets.” —Rep. Steve Pylant, R-Winnsboro
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.
