Lawmakers can only create new taxes or increase them in odd-numbered years, leaving even-numbered years to host their regular sessions. But a constitutional amendment by Rep. Harold Ritchie, D-Bogalusa, would move their fiscal sessions, like the one being held now, to even-numbered years instead.
That means the hectic 60-month fiscal session currently dragging the Capitol through the mud could be repeated again next year. It may also have the effect of rendering somewhat pointless a blanket campaign promise from all of the candidates for governor to hold a special session in 2016 after being elected to address the budget and tax code.
The flip-flop in Ritchie’s HB 189 was approved without objection by the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee last week. It’s expected to be debated on the House floor Wednesday.
While the session will hopefully end with a balanced budget, the Washington Parish lawmaker said, it’s unlikely to address the structural revenue problems plaguing the state. “I think from watching this session here that we won’t be able to cure all of our problems,” Ritchie said. “I think we should continue this session next year, as hard as it might be.”
Making the switch would also take lawmakers off the hook for having to vote on taxes just months before they face re-election, which is arguably driving this session as much as any other factor.
“When you have an election seven months down the road, it’s tough to make those decisions,” Ritchie added.
If approved by the House and Senate, Ritchie’s constitutional amendment would next face voters on the Oct. 24 ballot.
New Orleans mayoral race opens up
New Orleans Mayor Mitch Landrieu will not be running for governor, he announced recently to the Baton Rouge Press Club.
Had he jumped into the contest it would have opened up a political Jazz Fest of positioning to replace him in City Hall. Yet politicos back home didn’t pay much mind to that logic, though, and the race to become the next mayor, still years away, seems to have been jumpstarted anyway.
The dark horse and most surprising possible candidate is U.S. Attorney Kenneth Polite. Those who know him best describe him as politically ambitious, but it’s doubtful he’ll make any public moves this early.
From the New Orleans City Council, LaToya Cantrell, Jason Williams and Stacy Head have their supporters pushing hard already. From the Legislature, Sen. J.P. Morrell has long said he would run for the job when Landrieu moves on, but Speaker Pro Tem Walt Leger is interested as well, sources say. It’s unlikely that both Democrats would end up on the ballot; it’ll be one or the other.
While this week puts an end to the Landrieu-for-governor speculation, it officially starts a new round of cocktail party gossip about how involved Landrieu will be in the upcoming presidential election and whether a successful Democratic nominee might convince him to head to the Beltway via the Big Easy.
“Power to the people” bill rejected
The Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee all but ignored a constitutional amendment last week that would have allowed Louisiana’s citizenry to collect signatures to place proposed law changes on a ballot.
“I just want to give the power to the people,” said Sen. Rick Gallot, D-Ruston, author of SB 201.
Gallot said he was challenged by a constituent to bring the bill. Variations of the same idea have been floated, and voted down, in the past. Former Gov. Mike Foster, as a state senator, tried to get it into law, as did late Sen. Ken Hollis, Gallot said.
“If the Legislature won’t stand up to the governor, then maybe the people should be given the power to put an initiative on the ballot,” he added.
The bill was still in a somewhat conceptual phase when presented, and Gallot invited the committee to build it up before he had an amendment attached creating a signature threshold of 5% to 8% for certain electorates. Numerous business and union groups opposed the constitutional amendment.
“Would you like to voluntarily defer this and work on it for a while?” asked Senate and Governmental Affairs Chairman Jody Amedee, R-Gonzales.
Gallot replied, “I think I’d like to seal my fate today.”And the committee did just that, without objection.
GOP endorsement rules blocked
At the most recent meeting of the Republican State Central Committee earlier this month, supporters of former U.S. Senate candidate Rob Maness proposed a set of new endorsement rules for the party to follow for the fall elections. They were overwhelmingly rejected.
Maness knows all too well how the party can jump out ahead of a race and endorse a Republican candidate even with others in the field. That’s what happened last year when he ran against U.S. Sen. Bill Cassidy.
In his run for governor, U.S. Sen. David Vitter no doubt would welcome the same early endorsement, even with Public Service Commissioner Scott Angelle and Lt. Gov. Jay Dardenne positioned to be on the ballot with him.
Supporters of the rule change are expected to try once again to establish a procedure at the next RSCC meeting.
They Said It
“I feel like I’m the last fella who married Elizabeth Taylor. I have no idea what I’m doing up here or how to keep it interesting.”—Sen. Robert Adley, R-Benton, taking to the mic on Industry Day “Right now I’m your worst nightmare. I’m a term-limited senator. I can do any damn thing I want.”—Adley
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