Louisiana lawmakers sponsored bills this session that would authorize a Constitutional Convention. Their aim is to convene outside of the legislative session to rewrite the state's constitution. The House and Governmental Affairs Committee passed HB 500 (Abramson), so our focus is on this bill at this time.
HB 500 Provides for a "limited" convention. The bill outlines several sections that will be targeted for rewriting. While most sections are related to financial provisions, the bill also targets local and education funding.
The bill also provides for an "Evaluation and Drafting Committee". This committee's job will be to "determine if a convention is needed" and to provide a "draft of a proposed constitution". The bill calls for 27 members to be appointed to this committee including members representing special interests -- all of whom benefit (either directly or indirectly) from state finances:
"(a) A member appointed with the concurrence of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, the Louisiana Budget Project, and the Council for a Better Louisiana.
(b) A member appointed with the concurrence of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business.
(c) A member appointed with the concurrence of Blueprint Louisiana and the Committee of 100 for Economic Development.
(d) A representative of the Louisiana AFL-CIO appointed by the Louisiana AFL- CIO."
Since the bill has already made it out of one committee, can we safely assume that the special interests represented in the bill (and who likely wrote the bill) have already informed our legislators that a "convention is needed," and that they expect all of their political pawns to push the bill forward?
The People, LLC contend that a convention is not needed and is, in fact, the worst case scenario for the citizens of this state.
The same legislature (which included our esteemed Treasurer) that created the problems by cementing funding into the constitution can easily get us out of this mess without spending taxpayer dollars on a convention by implementing the following:
1) Stop passing the usual bills that create committees of special interests at taxpayer expense to "study" a problem;
2) Stop authorizing special interests to "solve" the problem to their benefit and at taxpayer expense;
3) Amend the fixed funding right out of the constitution--one item at a time;
Such an approach will give voters more options at the ballot box rather than the "all or nothing approach" that a convention offers.
Should the convention result in a draft of a constitution, we will be allowed only a "yes" or "no" vote on the entire document. Isn't this what YOU would want if YOU were the special interest groups involved so that you could hide behind the need to "balance the budget" while grabbing for local tax dollars and education funds???
The Good News: no matter what the special interests and their political pawns ultimately decide to do, The People will have the final say because all amendments to the state constitution must be approved by a vote of The People.
HB 500 Provides for a "limited" convention. The bill outlines several sections that will be targeted for rewriting. While most sections are related to financial provisions, the bill also targets local and education funding.
The bill also provides for an "Evaluation and Drafting Committee". This committee's job will be to "determine if a convention is needed" and to provide a "draft of a proposed constitution". The bill calls for 27 members to be appointed to this committee including members representing special interests -- all of whom benefit (either directly or indirectly) from state finances:
"(a) A member appointed with the concurrence of the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, the Louisiana Budget Project, and the Council for a Better Louisiana.
(b) A member appointed with the concurrence of the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry and the National Federation of Independent Business.
(c) A member appointed with the concurrence of Blueprint Louisiana and the Committee of 100 for Economic Development.
(d) A representative of the Louisiana AFL-CIO appointed by the Louisiana AFL- CIO."
Since the bill has already made it out of one committee, can we safely assume that the special interests represented in the bill (and who likely wrote the bill) have already informed our legislators that a "convention is needed," and that they expect all of their political pawns to push the bill forward?
The People, LLC contend that a convention is not needed and is, in fact, the worst case scenario for the citizens of this state.
The same legislature (which included our esteemed Treasurer) that created the problems by cementing funding into the constitution can easily get us out of this mess without spending taxpayer dollars on a convention by implementing the following:
1) Stop passing the usual bills that create committees of special interests at taxpayer expense to "study" a problem;
2) Stop authorizing special interests to "solve" the problem to their benefit and at taxpayer expense;
3) Amend the fixed funding right out of the constitution--one item at a time;
Such an approach will give voters more options at the ballot box rather than the "all or nothing approach" that a convention offers.
Should the convention result in a draft of a constitution, we will be allowed only a "yes" or "no" vote on the entire document. Isn't this what YOU would want if YOU were the special interest groups involved so that you could hide behind the need to "balance the budget" while grabbing for local tax dollars and education funds???
The Good News: no matter what the special interests and their political pawns ultimately decide to do, The People will have the final say because all amendments to the state constitution must be approved by a vote of The People.