Good Morning, Today is a historic day. Louisiana legislators, for the first time since the latest state Constitution began in 1974, are convening a session for the purpose of trying to override gubernatorial vetoes. For those wanting to witness history, the legislative website – http://www.legis.la.gov/legis/Home.aspx – is live streaming the sessions as they gavel in at 12 noon. All the rules for how the session will proceed haven’t been set in place, yet. Nor exactly which of the 28 rejected measures will be reconsidered over the next few days, though two instruments have been widely discussed as targets to legislative overrides of gubernatorial vetoes. Senate Bill 156, by Sen. Beth Mizell, R-Franklinton, would bar transgender youth who were born males but now identify as females from participating in women’s sporting events. Edwards rejected the so-called Fairness in Women's Sports Act as unnecessary discrimination against vulnerable children. There has not been a single instance of transgender athletes wanting to compete in Louisiana. Though SB156 is widely supported across various demographics, many in the business community also want to sustain the veto because of the harm an anti-transgender law would do to attracting companies and events to the state. Senate Bill 118, by Sen. Jay Morris, R-Monroe, would allow adults to carry concealed weapons without permits, which means without training. Proponents say the measure supports constitutional gun rights. Law enforcement is almost universally opposed to regularly approaching people without knowing if they’re armed. The Legislature also passed House Bill 48, which allows concealed carry provided the carrier has training in how to safely use a handgun. But basically, the House and the Senate on Tuesday will read into the record the rejected bills that began in their chambers. The measures will have to “lie over” and will be reconsidered one after another on Wednesday. Leadership says one or two of the measures may be reconsidered Tuesday. But to do that, two-thirds of the lawmakers would have to agree to suspend the rules. On the other hand, 70 representatives and 26 senators – two thirds of the membership in each chamber – would have to vote to overturn the veto to turn the bill into law over the objections of Gov. John Bel Edwards. The Legislature has until Saturday to do whatever they’re going to do. But House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and other leaders predict they’ll done by Thursday or Friday. Meanwhile hospitals across Louisiana are experiencing a dramatic uptick in hospitalizations as the delta variant of the coronavirus infects more and more among unvaccinated residents. The surge is comparable to some of the worst times during the past year and half. As always, check throughout the day for the latest Louisiana political news at theadvocate.com/politics or NOLA.com/politics and on Twitter at @MarkBallardCNB, @tegbridges, @samkarlin, @blakepater, @WillSentell. Here are a dozen articles, commentaries and editorials that will catch you up for the week to come. One last item: Thank you to our subscribers. Your support means a great deal to us. If you're not yet a subscriber, we’ve got a special offer you can check out here. – Mark Ballard |