The Louisiana legislature has been given until January 15th, 2024, to draw a new congressional map that includes a second majority black district. If the legislature fails to meet the deadline, the lower courts may proceed to trial, although the court has the option to grant additional time. The map should be ready by May 2024 to be in effect for the upcoming congressional elections. Governor John Bel Edwards supports the creation of two majority black districts and is confident that a fair map will be established before the elections.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards, the lone Democratic governor in the Deep South, has successfully used vetoes to stall conservative legislation pushed by the Republican supermajority in the state legislature. Despite attempts by lawmakers to override his vetoes, the majority of his vetoed bills, including those banning gender-transition care for minors and Covid vaccine requirements in schools, still stand. With Edwards leaving office next year, there is a strong possibility of a Republican succeeding him, potentially leading to a significant shift in the state's political dynamic.
Louisiana lawmakers are set to return for a veto override session driven by LGBTQ+ issues, particularly the desire to resurrect a bill that would ban gender-affirming health care for transgender children and teenagers. The Republican-majority Legislature, under pressure from conservative activists, aims to override Governor John Bel Edwards' veto on this bill and other measures that restrict LGBTQ+ rights. Lawmakers will also consider override votes on public safety measures and budget items. Veto overrides are historically rare in Louisiana, with only three successful overrides since 1973.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed a ban on gender-transition care for transgender minors, as well as two other bills related to gender expression and sexual orientation in schools. The ban would have prohibited hormone treatments, puberty blockers, and gender-transition surgery for individuals under 18. Proponents argue that such measures protect children from risky and unproven treatments, while opponents view them as discriminatory. The bills had passed the Republican-dominated Legislature, but the governor's veto can be overridden in a special session.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed three anti-LGBTQ+ bills passed by the state's Republican-majority legislature. The bills targeted LGBTQ+ youth and included measures such as forbidding school employees from using transgender students' preferred names or pronouns without parental approval, prohibiting discussion of gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools, and banning gender-affirming healthcare for trans youth. Edwards called the bills discriminatory, harmful, and extremist, and expressed concerns about the impact on vulnerable children. The governor's vetoes put him at odds with the Republican-dominated legislature, which has the power to override the vetoes.
Louisiana Governor John Bel Edwards has vetoed parts of the state's budget, redirecting funds to increase funding for early childhood education and restore a proposed $100 million increase to the Louisiana Department of Health. Edwards cited the need to protect against programmatic cuts and avoid losing federal funding. The budget, crafted by the Republican-dominated Legislature, had allocated money to pay down state retirement debt. The governor's vetoes may be overridden by lawmakers, who could also discuss the budget vetoes during a potential veto session.
