The Supreme Court has thrown out Louisiana’s congressional map. In a six-to-three ruling that fell right along ideological lines, the court ruled that by creating a second majority-Black district, one that stretches diagonally from Shreveport to Baton Rouge, relied too much on race. ULM political science professor Joshua Stockley says what’s important to note is that this ruling does not strike down the 1965 Voting Rights Act – states can still keep certain groups in mind when drawing their congressional maps.
Cut 9 (10) “…of racial gerrymander.”
It’s unclear what happens next. Secretary of State Nancy Landry says her lawyers are currently analyzing the opinion.
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…
Cut 3 (06) “…vote”
The legislation needs 70 “Yes” votes to pass. It received 67 votes. Seventeen lawmakers abstained from voting.
A groundbreaking ceremony happens in Lake Charles this afternoon on the new I-10 Calcasieu River Bridge. The 2.3-billion-dollar bridge is being built immediately next to the existing bridge that first opened in 1952. Calcasieu Parish Police Jury President Brian Abshire says the bridge is of utmost importance, with 75-thousand vehicles passing over it every day.
Cut 4 (08) “…a screeching halt.”
It will take seven years to construct and tolls will be needed to pay for it.
Baton Rouge-based Turner Industries announces it’s creating one-thousand jobs, as it’s building state-of-the-art nuclear fabrication facilities in New Iberia and Port Allen. Louisiana Economic Development Secretary Susan Bourgeois says the facilities will be dedicated to the production of high-precision modules and nuclear-grade piping for the next generation of nuclear power.