The 2nd special session of the year was called in large part to address Legislative grievances with Governor Edwards’ handling of pandemic public health restrictions and a number of instruments are now passing quickly through the process tackling that issue.
The most ambitious appears to be a resolution that would suspend the Governor’s COVID public health emergency order for 30 days after the current special session ends. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder says this would strip the Governor of his power to set restrictions and give the Legislature time to craft their own…
But Governor Edwards argues his orders have and continue to save lives, and revoking his authority would be irresponsible.
That resolution is heading to the House floor.
While lawmakers tangle over whether mask mandates should be in place one lawmaker excoriated her colleagues for refusing to wear a mask while working at the Capitol. New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson says many lawmakers are setting a poor example for the public and endangering their staff…
Cut 12 (10) “…other members’ health.”
The Senate backs a bill by Slidell Senator Haron Hewitt stripping the Governor of his ability to veto emergency election plans. Governor Edwards recently rejected a Legsialtively backed plan by Secretary of State Kyle Ardoin that would have restricted the level of COVID-related absentee ballots in the upcoming fall election. A federal judge ruled against the order forcing the state to revert to its previously implemented summer plan.
The major committees all have the day off Friday so expect a quiet day at the capitol.