Legislation to hold a constitutional convention beginning May 20th advances from House Appropriations. Bill author New Iberia Representative Beau Beaullieu told committee members were told the convention would cost 63-thousand-dollars if it wraps by June 3rd, but the cost could grow to 1.5 million if it concludes in mid-July.
“If those dates were to change throughout the process, let’s say we would meet at the end of July, the beginning of August, or somewhere outside of session, that number could change and we would need to include dollars for our per diem,” said Beaullieu.
Beaullieu was asked if overtime for legislative staff was also considered along with rental space if it can’t be held the House chamber. He said they were not included.
Beaullieu told Stonewall Representative Larry Bagley the bill was crafted from previous convention bills and donations could help cover the costs.
“Do you not think it’s unusual that we would allow outside interests, private interests?” Bagley questioned.
“They’ve allowed for it in the past, I would prefer not to, and I don’t think we need to,” said Beaullieu.
Because little details of what will be discussed in the constitutional convention, Bagley believes outside funding is a concern.
“Some outside people to donate money to something that we have no idea what’s in the constitutional convention coming up, to me seems like we may be throwing gas on a fire,” said Bagley.
The bill passed on a 14 to 6 vote, along party lines and advances to House.
Comments