Governor Edwards was open about the full-court press his administration put on to preserve his veto of the transgender athlete ban bill during a brief post veto session press conference at the Capitol.
Some Republicans and conservative activists have complained that Governor Edwards pressured lawmakers into voting against overriding his veto. Edwards said yes, of course, he pressured lawmakers into supporting the veto.
“I suspect I used all those that were in my disposal that previous Governors have used and that they were using downstairs themselves, you want to take politics out of politics?” said Edwards. “I’m not here because I wanted to be here, this session did not happen because I asked for it. Ask those Republicans that gave you that what was happening on their side today.”
Edwards said he used every tool in his belt because he the transgender ban was discriminatory and bad for business in Louisiana.
“Now, I will tell you… very, very light on threats… not so light on promises,” said Edwards speaking about what he offered lawmakers to back away from their previous support.
The transgender athlete ban cleared the House with 78 votes in the regular session but only managed to find ten votes in the veto override session.
Here’s Edwards responding to a question by AP reporter Melinda Deslatte about his lobbying efforts and complaints by some that he preassured lawmakers.
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