Vote “for” the two amendments next week

If you are concerned about Louisiana’s fragile coastline, you should make it a point to go out and vote next week.

There will be candidates for public office on the ballot but don’t stop there, as many people do. There will also be two proposed constitutional amendments on the ballot that could help us earmark the funds we need to restore the coast.

Amendment No. 1 would guarantee that any federal revenues received by the state that is generated from outer continental shelf oil and gas activity be used only for coastal wetlands conservation, coastal restoration, hurricane protection and infrastructure directly impacted by coastal wetland losses.

Also, proposed Amendment No. 2 would allocate 20 percent of revenue received by the state in legal settlements with tobacco companies to Louisiana’s Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund.

We don’t know how much that federal revenue affected in Amendment No. 1 will be because Congress is currently negotiating two bills that would give Louisiana and other states a portion of offshore oil revenue that they are not getting now. Passage of the amendment would assure that the state uses any such money received to protect and restore the coast. Likewise for the revenue received for tobacco settlements.

So don’t leave the booth after you vote for the candidates of your choice next week. Keep on voting “for” the two amendments and help save Louisiana’s fabulous coast.