By one vote the Senate approves the veto override of legislation banning transgender athletes from playing on girls’ and women’s K-12 and higher ed school sports teams. It was the first vote of the historic veto session that began Tuesday at noon, and the only one of the 28 vetoes issued this year that appears to be on track to be overridden.
The final vote was along party lines with 26 in favor and 12 against. One Senator, Ronnie Johns of Lake Charles, was absent after going on injured reserve following a knee replacement.
Franklinton Senator Beth Mizell, the bill author, opened with a plea that lawmakers vote the way they did in early May when the Senate approved the bill.
“On May 6th we voted for SB 156 because we believed overwhelmingly that competition in women’s sports deserves protection,” said Mizell. “If you have not heard the voices of the large majority of people in this state by emails, by phone calls, by personal visits, then there are no words I can give you (to convince you).”
The vote was strictly party line with all Democrats voting against.
Alexandria Senator Jay Luneau opposed the bill. He said strict Louisiana High School Athletic Association policy already makes it very difficult for transgender athletes to play on girls’ teams.
“Quite frankly members I’m convinced that this bill is a solution looking for a problem,” said Luneau who explained that LHSAA policy requires that transgender athletes receive a hardship waiver to play on teams different from the gender on their birth certificate. After receiving a waiver the athlete’s eligibility does not begin until two years after they have had their reassignment surgery and hormonal therapy.
New Orleans Senator Karen Carter Peterson also spoke out against the override. She said 400 major businesses put out a statement calling bills like this discriminatory.
“Do you think that these businesses will feel comfortable investing in Louisiana, much less hosting their conventions in Louisiana if we allow this bill to become law?” said Peterson. “You can’t have it both ways, you either want business to come to Louisiana, or you want to discriminate.”
Houma Senator “Big Mike” Fesi took issue with that argument.
“It’s always hearing about what money we are going to lose, it’s always about money to change minds, it’s always about money to do this, but what about morals? What about our good, decent morals?” said Fesi to applause from the chamber. “If we don’t fix this problem then women will never win in sports in the future.”
The override attempt now heads to the House where it will need a final two-thirds vote to be overriden.
The session’s second most prominent override target, legislation that would remove the need to have a concealed carry permit to carry a concealed firearm, failed by three votes in the Senate.
Comments