The two major education bills backed by the governor could be on their way to his desk today, pending one more vote by the House this morning to accept amendments added by the Senate, which passed both measures last night by wide majorities after eight hours of debate. While the governor’s office said it wanted the bills passed without changes, it signaled it could accept Senate amendments that did not alter the core of the bills. Senators had insisted on putting their own mark on the bills. During the lengthy Senate debate, the House stayed late as well in order to receive the bills when passed and to set concurrence votes for today. The tenure bill passed 23-16, with six Republicans, including four from southwest Louisiana, voting no, and six Democrats voting yes. The choice bill, House Bill 976 by Rep. Steve Carter, R-Baton Rouge, passed, 24-15, with the same six Republicans voting no and seven Democrats voting yes. Though both bills were amended, the two changes to the tenure bill and 11 to the school choice bill drew no objections from the author Sen. Conrad Appel, R-Metairie. On the choice bill, 16 amendments opposed by Appel were all defeated, with Republicans mostly voting against, and seven more were withdrawn. Two of six proposed changes were accepted on the tenure bill.
—The proposed change to state employees’ retirement rules that has created the greatest firestorm of protest would push back the retirement age to 67 for those who are not yet 55. But HB 53 would not affect Gov. Bobby Jindal if he seeks and serves a third term. He could still retire at age 55 if he serves 12 years in statewide office, even if the age-change bill becomes law, according to an analysis by the Louisiana State Employees Retirement System. But that hypothetical situation likely won’t last. In a statement, governor’s press secretary Frank Collins responded, “We will amend the bill in committee so that in the event that the Governor serves a third term or serves again in state government, the reform provisions would still apply to him.” Currently, the governor, lieutenant governor, treasurer and legislators taking office before 1996 are under the “Legislative Plan,” which has different eligibility rules than for regular state workers. In its current form, the bill does not change their eligibility to retire at age 55 after 12 years of service in elected office. The bill also excludes teachers and hazardous duty personnel.
They said it: “I’m just concerned these bills have more holes than a lace curtain.” —Sen. Bob Kostelka, R-Monroe, on education bills
(John Maginnis publishes LaPolitics Weekly, a newsletter on Louisiana politics, at LaPolitics.com.)
