UPDATE – After a hearing held Friday Judge Beau Higginbotham denied the restraining order.
“It is clear that a hearing was taken. There was a hearing. It’s clear from testimony that each side was afforded an opportunity. The court does not read in there that it guarantees each individual person the right to speak.” – Judge Beau Higginbotham
The Promise Justice Initiative has filed for a temporary restraining order against the legislature because public input on bills has been limited to an hour in committee meetings. A hearing will be held today, and Erica Navalance with PJI said lawmakers are trying to rush through sweeping monumental changes to our laws…
“That will affect every single person in this state, and I think what’s become really clear is that they want to do that without having to hear the concerns of the people that they represent,” said Navalance.
On Tuesday and Wednesday Navalance said during the House Criminal Justice Committee meetings the public was allowed only one hour to speak, and individuals were limited to three minutes for comment.
“I saw many people urge and try to insist on their right to speak and the legislature is simply not willing to spend the time to hear people’s very grave concerns about the things they’re discussing and the way that that will impact all of us,” said Navalance.
Navalance said the state constitution demands a process that allows for full and meaningful participation by the public, whether they are for, against, or neutral on the topic.
“And what I am hoping for is that a judge will insist that the legislature is required to hear from its people before it can make laws,” said Navalance.
The hearing is scheduled for 9 am in the 19th Judicial District Court in Baton Rouge today. PJI and Voice of The Experienced (VOTE) filed the restraining order against the legislature.
Comments