The Louisiana House is scheduled to vote today on whether to hold a Constitutional Convention later this month. Revising the constitution is one of Governor Jeff Landry’s priorities, but political analyst Bernie Pinsonat said it will need a two-thirds majority to pass.
“I’ve heard they have the votes; the question is can they get them to be in the chamber at that time? People who say they’re voting may not show up or may be sick. It’s such a razor-thin majority,” said Pinsonat.
The full House was scheduled to vote on the bill last week, but it was pushed to today.
Pinsonat said for more assurance that the convention will receive passage in the House, the Republicans will need to reach across the aisle.
“If they pick up a couple of Democrats, then they’ll easily pass it, and that’s what I think the Republicans are working on picking up a couple of Democrats,” said Pinsonat.
The bill was amended to protect the homestead exemption, the K-12 funding formula, and that a third party cannot fund the convention. Pinsonat said those were big concerns and while that might be what it takes to garner enough votes for passage…
“Then the question is why are we doing this, why don’t we leave it as it is because you’re protecting all the things that a lot of people think need to be removed,” said Pinsonat.
Landry said his motivation to hold a constitutional convention is to give lawmakers more flexibility with the budget so when there’s less money to allocate most of the cuts won’t fall on healthcare and education.
