Photo by Brooke Thorington
After two special sessions and the regular one scheduled to end June 3rd, a proposal to hold a constitutional convention before the current session ends doesn’t appear to be very popular. That’s according to Senate President Cameron Henry who said there are too many unknowns about the bill to hold it from May 20th to July 15th.
“I don’t see us trying to end the session early to accomplish it. We have the possibility of doing it simultaneously while we’re in session if members choose to do that, but that’s getting the cart way before the horse,” said Henry.
Henry said Governor Jeff Landry wants to hold one as early as possible so it can go before voters on the November ballot. Henry said ending the current session early will be difficult because there are significant budget problems.
“And you don’t try to squeeze a constitutional convention in, it hasn’t been done since 1974. So, we’re going to be very methodical in whatever approach we take,” said Henry.
Lawmakers have been in Baton Rouge since January, with two back-to-back special sessions and the regular one that began on March 11th and is scheduled to end on June 3rd. Henry said the idea of extending that to mid-July is a bit daunting.
“I think members want to get back to their districts. Obviously, they have full-time jobs that they’ve pretty much neglected for the past three months. It’s time to put the part-time in the legislative process and get members back to their full-time jobs, to their districts,” said Henry.
House Bill 800 to hold a constitutional convention is pending House referral in the legislature.
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