A proposed constitutional amendment that would prohibit a governor from serving more than two terms fails to receive approval in the House by three votes. It’s the second time this session Chalmette Representative Michael Bayham’s bill came up three votes short and he’s disappointed.
“The big challenge we had, once again, was Republicans refusing to vote. They were in the room, they just wouldn’t vote,” Bayham said.
The legislation needs 70 “Yes” votes to pass. It received 67 votes. 17 lawmakers abstained from voting. Bayham is also disappointed one of the 21 “No” votes came from Covington Representative Mark Wright.
“Disappointing day, of course, but change in this state, reform in this state does not come easily. I am here to fight for the long haul, to try to make a better Louisiana for all of us,” Bayham said.
Only two individuals have ever served more than two terms as governor in Louisiana, Earl Long and Edwin Edwards. Bayham believes in a state with four million people, you should not have one person lead the state for more than eight years.
“We’re trying to change the political culture of Louisiana to get past the politics of the past that have defined us as a state and kept a lot of business investment out of Louisiana,” Bayham explained.
Bayham says he’s uncertain if he’ll bring the legislation up for a third vote on the House floor.