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Louisiana legislators should have a “seat at the table” when a governor considers extending an emergency declaration, legislative leaders said Monday just before convening a 30-day special session.
State Senate President Page Cortez and House of Representatives Speaker Clay Schexnayder said they would file bills calling for a governor who wants to extend an emergency declaration beyond 30 days to consult with a legislative committee. However, the governor would not need their approval to extend the declaration. Cortez said his proposal doesn’t go that far because it might raise “constitutional issues.”
Cortez said his bill also will include a representative of the chief justice of the state Supreme Court.
“There would be conversation back and forth,” Cortez said. “There would be more input by the legislature.”
Under current law, either body can end an emergency declaration with a majority vote. Cortez said his bill would require a majority of both houses to end the declaration.
Many legislators, particularly Republicans, have called for eliminating the business restrictions meant to control the spread of COVID-19, citing the economic damage. Efforts to overturn Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ emergency order so far have fallen short.
“This is not about this governor,” Cortez said. “It’s about the policy of this state.”
Hurricane Laura disaster relief and recovery will be a top priority for the session, legislators say, along with the state’s unemployment insurance trust fund. The fund, which held more than $1 billion before the COVID-19 pandemic, is on the verge of running out of money, which would trigger higher taxes on employers and lower benefits for workers.
Legislators earlier this year set aside $105 million in state surplus dollars that could be used to shore up the fund, Cortez noted, adding that another surplus may be recognized. Lawmakers also may consider issuing a bond to raise money.
Legislators, not Edwards, called the special session, and Edwards did not deliver a session-opening speech.
“At a time when our state is dealing with the COVID-19 health emergency, hurricanes, and one severe weather event after another, I am concerned that the Legislature has again called themselves into a month-long session with an agenda of 70 items,” Edwards said last week in response to the call. “This session will occur at a time when the public will again be restricted in their access to the State Capitol and their ability to give needed public input.” 

Staff Report
The Morgan City Lady Tigers split their volleyball matches Saturday, defeating Franklin on the road and falling at home to Terrebonne.
The Lady Tigers (6-4) topped Franklin 3-0 (25-5, 25-9, 25-12) while falling to Terrebonne 3-0 (25-13, 25-13, 25-12).
The Lady Tigers recorded 18 aces.
Haylie Crappell and Olivia Baio led Morgan City. Crappell had five aces, 10 kills and two digs, while Baio recorded three aces, 14 assists and four digs.
Other top Morgan City contributors were Faith Bailey, two aces, two kills and four digs; and Hailey Denning, four aces and one assist.
In junior varsity action, Morgan City defeated Franklin 2-0 (25-7, 25-6).
Against Terrebonne, Crappell, Brynn Stephens and Mary Vincent led Morgan City. Crappell had seven kills, two assists and 11 digs, while Stephens recorded one ace and 12 digs. Vincent had one ace, eight assists and eight digs.
Bailey added five kills and four digs.
On Thursday, Morgan City fell to Assumption, 3-0 (25-14, 25-15, 25-11).
Crappell, Stephens and Vincent led Morgan City. Crappell had seven kills, while Stephens had 21 digs. Vincent recorded three kills, 14 digs and five assists.
Other top Morgan City contributors were as follows: Baio, eight assists and three digs; Mariah Pleasant, two kills, one block and two block assists; and Bailey, one ace, one kill and two block assists.
On Sept. 22, Morgan City defeated Patterson 3-0 (25-12, 25-11, 25-21).
Pleasant, Baio and Vincent led Morgan City. Pleasant had one ace, seven kills, one block and four digs, while Baio recorded three aces, 10 assists and three digs. Vincent added one ace, four kills, 10 assists and eight digs.
Other top Morgan City contributors were as follows: Crappell, two aces, six kills and three digs; Bailey, one ace, six kills and two digs; and Stephens, two aces and nine digs.
CCHS falls to HLB
The Central Catholic Lady Eagles fell to H.L. Bourgeois 3-0 (25-17, 25-17, 25-19) in Gray Saturday.
Haley Fontenot, Katie Luc and Emily Lipari led Central Catholic (2-6). Fontenot finished with 12 kills and eight digs, while Luc had 22 assists, two aces and three digs. Lipari recorded one ace, one assist and 11 digs.
Other top Central Catholic contributors were Gweneth Dohmann, eight kills, one ace and seven digs; and Kennedy Grizzaffi, three kills, one dig and two solo blocks.
Berwick falls
to Terrebonne
The Berwick Lady Panthers fell to Terrebonne 3-0 (25-17, 25-15, 25-18) in Berwick Saturday.
No individual stats were available.
Berwick (1-5) will return to action Oct. 3 when it hosts West-minster Christian.

November 12, 1938 — September 25, 2020
Mable Marie Brown, a resident of Berwick, was called to her heavenly home on Friday, September 25, 2020, at the age of 81.
Mable is survived by her sister, Mary Brown; two daughters, Lisa Verrett and her husband, Mark, and Debra Brown; three grandsons, Damian Brown, Caleb Verrett and Ian Verret; and two great-grandchildren, Alyssa Brown and Damian Brown II.
She joined in heaven, her husband, Verbis Brown; her two sons, David “Wayne” Brown and Tony Brown; one grandson, David Wayne Brown II; and her parents.
The family requests that a Graveside service be observed on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, at 10 a.m. in the St. Joseph Catholic Church Cemetery.

Barbara Ann Johnson, 79, a native and resident of Berwick, died Wednesday, Sept. 23, 2020, at AMG Specialty Hospital in Houma.
Graveside services will be Wednesday at 1 p.m. in the Berwick Cemetery. Masks and social distancing required.
She is survived by three children, Aristed Sanders Jr. of Patterson, Darrell Sanders of Schertz, Texas and Travis Johnson; one brother, Richard Turner; one sister, LaVern Scott, all of Berwick; 15 grandchildren; 12 great-grandchildren; and a host of other relatives.
She was preceded in death by her parents.
Jones Funeral Home is in charge of arrangements.