The Supreme Court has ruled Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional. In a six-to-three ruling that fell right along ideological lines, the court ruled that the creation of the second majority-Black district relied too much on race. Loyola University law professor Dane Ciolino says while the Supreme Court did not strike down the 1965 Voting Rights Act, its ruling today will have the effect of significantly gutting Section Two of that law.
Cut 11 (13) “…in drawing lines.”
The district in question runs diagonally from Shreveport to Baton Rouge and is represented by Cleo Fields. As one might expect, Fields was not happy with the decision.
Cut 14 (10) “…state is Louisiana.”
With the Supreme Court ruling Louisiana’s congressional map unconstitutional, the case is now remanded to the Western District of Louisiana. State Attorney General Liz Murrill says in the meantime, a new congressional map will need to be drawn.
For the second time, Chalmette Representative Mike Bayham’s proposed constitutional amendment limiting governors to two lifetime terms comes up three votes short of the 70 needed for it to advance. Bayham is disappointed one of the 21 “No” votes came from Covington Representative Mark Wright…
Seventeen lawmakers abstained from voting.