Hello!
Greetings everyone. It's been a while since you've heard from me, and you will see why below. The Louisiana Legislature had a crazy legislative session, and now we are about to start the first ever Louisiana legislative veto session this Tuesday, July 20, at noon. You can watch it live here.
You can always keep up with what I've been doing in the news, and I'm very active on both Twitter and Instagram. Scroll through below for more info.
|
|
FIRST EVER LOUISIANA VETO OVERRIDE SESSION
|
|
At noon this Tuesday, July 20, 2021, the Louisiana Legislature will convene for the first ever veto override session. The 1974 Louisiana Constitution provides for an automatic veto session to respond to any gubernatorial vetos, after every regular legislative session. Yes, automatic! However after every single session since this Constitution was adopted, a majority of legislators have returned their veto ballot and said no thanks, we don't need a veto session. This legislature said otherwise, as only 35/104 (one open seat) representatives and 12/39 senators returned their ballots. (Breakdown: all Democrats but one in the House returned ballots saying no to a veto session, along with one Jefferson Parish Republican (Stagni), one Jefferson Parish Independent (Marino), and the one and only Malinda White.)
|
|
|
|
Why are we having a veto session for the first time? Excellent question, with many answers. (Short news clip about the veto session with me here.) The short answer is that Republican legislators have demanded the extraordinary veto session in order to expand gun access and discriminate against transgender children.
The governor vetoed a total of 28 bills from this recent legislative session (a full list can be found here). However, the two bills most people are focused on are: (1) SB 118, which removes the requirement for a permit and class for a person who wants to concealed carry (so, if the veto override is successful, anyone over 21 can carry a gun with no permit or other requirements) (news articles here and here), and (2) SB 156, which forbids transgender children from playing sports on a team that reflects their gender identity (video of me pointing out how this exposes children to sexual abuse here, and news article here). While both bills sailed through the legislature, polling and rational thought show that most people are not supportive of these bills.
|
|
I voted against both bills, and spoke strongly against them. I continue to oppose this legislation, and while both bills received more than a 2/3 majority when they passed the House, I sincerely hope that enough of my colleagues will realize the harm both of these bills can cause. In order for the legislature to override the governor's veto, 70 representatives (a 2/3 majority) must vote to override the governor. Luckily, this session can only last for 5 days. Watch this short video courtesy of @Louisianahbrah.
|
|
|
2021 REGULAR LEGISLATIVE SESSION:
A FEW BRIGHT SPOTS, A LOT MORE HARM.
|
|
We had some bright spots in the 2021 regular session. I was able to pass, and the governor signed, HB 301, which provides a $5000 refundable tax credit for funeral benefits to families in the tragic event of a maternal death during childbirth. Unfortunately, Louisiana's maternal mortality rate is still the highest in the nation.
We came very, very close to passing HB 468, which would have extended Medicaid postpartum for one year. I call this a "win" because support for this legislation was UNANIMOUS, and it was only derailed at the last minute by some crotchety senators. (We turned it into House Resolution 193.) We will get this done soon enough, as expanding health care access for new mothers is a hugely important policy that is popular around the country.
|
|
Unanimous support in the House for HB 468. |
|
We also held a really worthwhile hearing in front of the Health & Welfare Committee on HCR 91, a resolution that I passed last year which examined health care in the state prison system. We will be working on legislation in the interim to address some of the issues highlighted in this extremely insightful report. For example, did you know that incarcerated people must pay a co-pay to visit a doctor?
|
|
If I’m not at my desk in the Capitol I may be out in the hallway on a zoom! |
|
We will also be examining health issues for women who are incarcerated through HCR 85, which I passed this year. This study will examine, for example, issues related to women who are pregnant while incarcerated. If you remember, last year I passed HB 344, which prohibits the use of solitary confinement for anyone who is pregnant or who has recently given birth. We want to make sure that this policy, among others, has been fully implemented.
And finally, related to the above, we passed HR 127, which creates the Safe Alternatives to Segregation Task Force. Ending the torture of solitary confinement is the ultimate goal of the Louisiana Stop Solitary Coalition, and we will continue to work on how we can do that in Louisiana, in particular with regard to the incarcerated who have mental health issues.
|
|
One of the most high profile bills of this session was of course HB 67, which would have decriminalized sex work (prostitution) in Louisiana. We had a very informative, respectful hearing on this bill in the Criminal Justice Committee; I ultimately deferred the bill, as we did not have the votes for it. This was the first time that a bill like this had been presented to the Louisiana Legislature, and was (I think) the first or one of the first times such a bill was presented in a state legislature. The bottom line is that adults should not be arrested for consensual decisions they make about their own bodies, and the law as it currently stands treats consensual sex workers and victims of trafficking the same: everyone is arrested. This legislation garnered a lot of attention, and I will continue to work with Women With a Vision, Sex Workers Against Criminalization, and other advocates to continue this important conversation. I was recently interviewed by NPR on the issue of decrim.
I also worked with the Louisiana Budget Project to introduce a millionaire's tax. Taxing the rich in our state (PS you are not rich if you're reading this!) would have resulted in an extra $100 million per year in revenue for the state. Needless to say, our extremely conservative, business friendly legislature said no. This type of policy - along with the estate tax that I also proposed this year with LBP - is popular with most people, and it's only a matter of time before truly progressive tax reform like this occurs nationwide.
|
|
This was not a great legislative session for women, the poor, and workers. The people of Louisiana continue to feel the harmful effects of the good ol' boys club that has wreaked havoc on our state for generations.
The governor signed three awful bills related to abortion/reproductive rights, which of course I opposed. One requires a doctor to tell a patient that the abortion pill is reversible - this is NOT true! This also interferes with the doctor/patient relationship. Another bill that he signed devastates abortion access for minors, which they have the constitutional right to access. Please support Lift Louisiana, which provides pro bono legal assistance, and New Orleans Abortion Fund, which provides financial assistance to those in need. Reminder that only 3 abortion clinics remain in Louisiana.
|
|
The governor also signed legislation that cuts federal pandemic unemployment benefits early, in exchange for a measly $28 increase in benefits, starting next year (which still leaves Louisiana tied for lowest unemployment benefits in the country, going from $247 to $275 a week). This was thrown at the legislature two hours before session officially ended; we had no time to question this proposal "based on junk science and no data." I was extremely disappointed in this awful "deal" that men in charge concocted, without speaking to economic experts or to anyone who is actually unemployed.
|
|
Thanks to Step-Up for inviting me to speak at their protest against the cut to unemployment benefits. |
|
The Orleans delegation had some amazing wins this year. Rep. Aimee Freeman successfully repealed the Pink Tax on diapers and feminine products, among other wins. Rep. Matthew Willard passed legislation to expand coverage for midwives and doulas, as well as the Fair Chance Hiring Act. Rep. Jason Hughes passed important legislation that completely removes the statute of limitations for victims of childhood sexual abuse to sue their abusers. Rep. Royce Duplessis passed several bills, including extending the earned income tax deduction and eliminating fees in the juvenile justice system. Rep Candace Newell came very close to passing the Crown Act, which prohibits discrimination on the basis of hair style and texture. Many thanks to those advocates who worked on this issue and will no doubt pass this legislation next year.
The House Democratic Caucus had other wins as well , including for example extending the amount of early voting an additional 3 days; designating Juneteenth as a state holiday (right before the federal government did as well); and importantly, decriminalizing possession of small amounts of marijuana - a long overdue change to state criminal laws.
This fall you will see several proposed changes to the state constitution on your ballot regarding changes to state tax law. I will send out more information on these proposed amendments closer to October.
|
|
The mayor, city council, sheriff, clerks, and a few other offices in New Orleans will be up for election on Saturday, October 9. You can find a full list of candidates here.
I am strongly supporting my current District B City Councilmember Jay Banks for re-election. A former Zulu king, Jay grew up in this part of the city and knows just about everyone. I have worked well with him and his office, and I very much like and admire his spirit. Jay isn't afraid to go against the grain either: Jay was the only elected official who supported me back in 2019. He believed in me, and he said so! Jay is someone who has helped to create the community that we all love. If you vote in District B, I encourage you to vote for Councilman Banks this fall.
|
|
I was invited to the local French Consulate on Prytania for a Bastille Day celebration by Dr. Robert Lyall. I met Dr. Lyall while canvassing! True story. He has become a strong supporter and friend, even making calls for the campaign on election day. He is also the director of the New Orleans Opera.
Congratulations also to outreach staff Alegra Lumpkin-Cutno Roy! "Leggie" and her new husband Russell were married last week. I am so happy for them.
|
|
My office continues to assist constituents with unemployment benefits, SNAP benefits, the Office of Motor Vehicles, and other state-related issues. My district director, Nicole Hershey, has helped hundreds of constituents. If you need assistance, please email or call.
I am always happy to speak to neighborhood meetings, classes, political groups, or anything of that nature. Please email [email protected] if you'd like to set something up.
If you have ideas for legislation for next year, please send them to [email protected].
Wishing you well,
Mandie
|
|
Representative Mandie Landry
Louisiana House of Representatives
District 91
|
|
|
Paid for by Mandie Landry Campaign Committee |
|
|
|
|
|
|
