Just one week after Louisiana lawmakers prematurely ended a contentious, unsuccessful special session to plug an anticipated budget shortfall, lawmakers will return to Baton Rouge today to begin an 85-day regular session.
The list of topics—which include gun control, hazing and state government-wide policy banning sexual harassment—will be more varied than the prior session’s focus on finances. But Louisiana’s latest budget gap, estimated at some $700 million, will remain at the center of discussions and likely in the forefront of many legislators’ thoughts.
Gov. John Bel Edwards, a Democrat, speaks to the majority-Republican House and Senate at 1 p.m, to outline his agenda and offer a state-of-the-state assessment of where things stand at the midpoint of his four-year term. Taxes can’t be considered to help bail Louisiana out of its budget problems. Otherwise, topics allowed for debate are wide open.
The session must end by 6 p.m. on Monday, June 4.
Efforts are underway among Edwards, Senate President John Alario and House Speaker Taylor Barras to end the session 10 to 20 days ahead of time, enabling lawmakers to convene another special session in mid-May to address the budget shortfall.
