State lawmakers begin a two-and-a-half-week session Monday that will address crime. Emotional debate is expected on legislation that will give the state more options to carry out a death sentence, such as the electric chair and nitrogen gas. Lapolitics.com publisher Jeremy Alford says different groups have differing opinions.
“Faith-based players, criminal justice reform players, you often see high-profile surrogates come in on this as well, it’s probably going to deliver some national attention,” said Alford.
Changes in sentencing laws are also expected during this session.
During former Governor John Bel Edwards’ eight years, there was a smart-on-crime approach. Alford says lawmakers and lobbyist groups supported Edwards’s effort to lower the prison population, but the Landry administration brings a different approach.
“Everyone from the conserving leaning the Pelican Institute to the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, it’s going to be interesting to see some of these same groups what approach they are going to have on these tough on crime proposals,” said Alford.
Alford says Landry got most of what he wanted in the redistricting special session, he could have more success in this session.
“His ideology on crime lines up with a majority at least of the conservative members of the legislature,” said Alford.
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