The fight over redistricting has moved to the courtroom, so the next big legislative battle will be over a Senate bill that prohibits transgender athletes from competing in girls’ sports in Louisiana. Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell says she’s more determined to pass her bill after Penn swimmer Lia Thomas became the first trans woman to win an NCAA swimming title.
“When Lia Thomas was at that podium I must have gotten 30 texts with that picture because it gave a visual of exactly what the bill is trying to protect Louisiana female athletes from,” said Mizell.
Governor John Bel Edwards vetoed Mizell’s anti-transgender bill last year calling it mean-spirited and in search of a problem that doesn’t exist. But Mizell says she’s trying to keep women’s sports fair by not allowing biological males to participate.
“There was honestly no meanness attached to it if we don’t stop and say women have a right to their own lane,” said Mizell.
The Senate Education Committee is expected to hold a hearing soon on the bill. Political analyst Bernie Pinsonat says the measure received overwhelming support last year and he expects it will again this year.
“We know it’s going to pass, the only question left now is will the governor stand in front of that emotional train and veto it again and face another potential override by the Legislature,’ said Pinsonat.
After the Republican-led Legislature overrode his veto of the Congressional District map, Pinsonat says there’s a chance the governor will not veto the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act if it passes this year.
“The last thing the governor needs is to be overridden a second time in the same year by the Legislature, it erodes his power, it diminishes his ability to control his agenda,’ said Pinsonat.
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