House Speaker Clay Schexnayder names Crowley Representative and Republican John Stefanski the chair of the House Governmental Affairs Committee, the panel tasked with overseeing redistricting next year.
We don’t have census data just yet but Stefanski said they’re confident that the state will not lose, or gain a congressional seat. Ten years ago the state lost a U.S. House seat after the population fell post-Hurricane Katrina.
Redistricting defines the boundaries of each Legislative and Congressional district and can result in maps that are a major boon for the party in control of the Legislature, but Stefanski said he aims to be fair.
“You try to at least understand everyone’s concerns going into it but ultimately you do what is fair, you do what is fair and you do what is right,” said Stefanski.
The map will be crafted in House Governmental Affairs and must win full Legislative approval in the Republican-dominated Capitol, but could be vetoed by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards. The re-drawn districts also need federal approval.
Stefanski said redistricting is a major endeavor but the Legislature’s first priority upon returning to session in April will be addressing a likely COVID-induced budget deficit.
“I think as we navigate ourselves out of that I think then we are probably looking at a special session to do the redistricting,” said Stefanski.
The Legislature is scheduled to convene the regular session on April 12th and can run until June 10th. A redistricting focused special session could take place a day after the regular session ends.
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