Louisiana Capitol Update – October 2021

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NASL

October 6th, 2021

Update from NASL Members Haynie and Associates:

The 2021 Louisiana Legislative session and veto override attempt seem like ancient history following hurricane Ida and its devastating effects on coastal and southeast Louisiana. Signs of the historically contentious veto session still linger as an inner-party tug-a-war continues over republican control and hard feelings from the failed veto override saw the Speaker of the House remove two of his appointed chairmen for their lack of loyalty as they voted to sustain the Governor’s vetoes.

Longtime observers will tell you, the upcoming re-apportionment session which takes place every decade, will demonstrate an even more raw form of politics than was witnessed in the veto session, which was very intense. When legislative decisions result in district lines that favor one member, party, or parish over the other, stakes are rarely higher. This year’s process will be made more interesting by the fact that Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards has veto authority over the Republican legislatures drawn maps, theoretically forcing the two parties to work together, or they risk sending a disagreement to the courts.

In 2022 the special session for re-apportionment is set for January 31st and most anticipate they will try to wrap up their efforts within two weeks giving a little breathing room until Mardi Gras which falls this year on Tuesday, March 1st.

Two short weeks after Mardi Gras the Legislature meets for a general session March 14, 2022, through June 6, 2022. As a reminder, general sessions preclude any tax legislation but allows an unlimited number of bills to be filed of general subject matter.

The fall elections, which include most high-profile positions in New Orleans, have been rescheduled due to Hurricane Ida and are set for November 13 (primary) and December 11 (runoff).