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Louisiana lawmakers voted Thursday night to hold a session to override several vetoes of bills by Gov. John Bel Edwards that passed both chambers by significant majorities, including one that would ban gender transitions for minors and another that would end the state's corporate franchise tax.

The state constitution requires an override session unless most lawmakers from either chamber vote not to proceed. Republicans didn't overturn any vetoes during the first override session in state history in 2021, but last year, they undid Edwards’ veto of congressional redistricting legislation.

The session will start Tuesday and last five days. The GOP has supermajorities in both chambers required to override the governor's 28 vetoes.

Among the bills lawmakers could take up is Senate Bill 1 that would phase out the state's corporate franchise tax, as Louisiana is one of the 16 states still levying this tax. According to the Tax Foundation, Louisiana's tax is the second highest, assessed at 0.275% and has no limits.

SB 1, introduced by state Sen. Bret Allain, R-Franklin, would phase out the franchise tax at a rate of 25% per year if corporate income tax revenues remain above $600 million.

Another bill that would likely be up for override would be House Bill 648, which bans gender transition surgeries and hormone treatments for minors.

Other vetoes include HB 81, which would prohibit school employees from using students’ preferred pronouns without parental consent and HB 466, which would ban discussion on gender identity and sexual orientation in public schools.

HB 648's sponsor, Rep. Gabe Firment, R-Pollock, says he wants to override Edwards' veto of his legislation.

Among the other vetoed bills that could be taken up by lawmakers include one that would establish a 25-foot safety zone for police; require an annual purge of the state's voter rolls; provide additional pay for teachers and other school employees; allow a court to determine if parole can be denied to "dangerous offenders;" mandate notification requirements for insurance companies; clarify school immunization requirements; ban central bank digital currency; and increase transparency in health care pricing.

Between the threat of additional sessions this summer and re-election campaigns in the fall, there will be no shortage of political action in Capitoland as the Legislature and Edwards administration move through the final year of this term of state government. 

This stretch of time — the months following a regular session — are typically quiet for political observers

But there’s nothing typical about what’s going on in Baton Rouge.

A rare veto session is expected to be triggered this week, which will in turn give lawmakers the opportunity to overturn roughly dozen vetoes issued by Gov. John Bel Edwards. 

In the wake of the recent regular session, Edwards applied red ink to several bills involving the budget, corporate franchise taxes, vaccines, health care pricing, the insurance industry and more.

But what really has conservatives worried is Edwards’ veto of a set of anti-LGBTQ+ bills, including one that would restrict certain gender transition health care. 

Most lawmakers would probably prefer to be back in their districts campaigning, but the gender care issue has many outside groups — like the Louisiana Republican Party — promising revenge if the Legislature doesn’t override the governor on this particular topic.

If the override session isn’t enough to keep lawmakers busy with official business, the House and Senate could end up returning to Baton Rouge yet again this summer or fall for a special session on redistricting. 

The U.S. Supreme Court issued a ruling two weeks ago that allows challenges to Louisiana’s congressional maps to move forward.

Lawmakers tackled the decennial task of redistricting last year, but many groups complained that the one majority Black district didn’t match Louisiana’s population breakdown. 

The courts so far seem to believe a second Black majority district should be added to our congressional map, and lawmakers may (or may not) want to draw the revised lines themselves, rather than leaving it to a judge.

“There’s a lot of speculation, but no one really knows what is going to happen,” said House Speaker Pro Tem Tanner Magee, R-Houma. “This is more of a court and legal issue than a political one at the moment."  

If lawmakers can manage to survive all of this session drama in the coming weeks and months, they will then have to manage re-election bids back home. 
Incumbency matters just as much as it always has, but several seasoned lawmakers are facing substantive challenges on the ballot this fall.

There are no guarantees in Louisiana politics, and every representative and senator will have to work to keep their jobs. 

For those who are met with victory, the war will begin anew with internal races for House speaker and Senate president.

Prior to Edwards being elected eight years ago, sitting governors helped shape these internal elections and more times than not handpicked the top officers. 

When Edwards, a Democrat, first took office, however, he faced a Republican Legislature that yearned for independence — and for the first time in modern history, lawmakers did not select the governor’s choice.
 
Will that happen again if a Republican is elected governor? Maybe, according to Magee, who believes there are bigger problems that deserve attention.  
“Unfortunately the real issues of the next speakership will be obscured,” said Magee.

“We are desperately in need of overhauling the internal nuts and bolts of the office. We’ve had a lot of staff turnover and more are departing. I venture to say that most people do not understand how the office actually works and all of things that happen that are not politics.

"I wish the next speaker candidates would present plans on how they will revamp the inner workings of the office. Instead, we will probably have some goofy division of who wants to be the governor’s lackey versus those of us who want to remain independent from the Governor’s Office.”

The next leadership elections are scheduled for January.

For more Louisiana political news, visit www. LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @ LaPoliticsNow.

Charcuterie boards have become more popular in recent years.
People often make entire meals out of the finger foods and snack-like items that are included in these offerings — which may include anything from sliced cheeses to olives, crackers, vegetables and cured meats.
Fresh dips also may be included, and hummus is a favorite for its flavor and versatility.
Traditional hummus is made from chickpeas, also called garbanzo beans. However, many different beans and legumes can be used to make hummus, depending on the desired texture and flavor profile.
This recipe for “Lima Bean Hummus” from “Southern Appetizers” (Chronicle Books) by Denise Gee is one such variation on the traditional hummus recipe.
It’s fresh and light and can be served with toasted pita bread or naan.
LIMA BEAN HUMMUS
1 16-ounce package frozen lima beans
1 cup extra-virgin olive oil
¼ cup tahini paste
2 to 3 garlic cloves
2 tsp. lemon zest, plus more for garnish, plus 2 Tbsp. freshly squeezed lemon juice
1 tsp. sea salt
¼ tsp. cayenne pepper
Paprika for garnish (optional)
In a medium saucepan, bring 1 cup water to a boil. Add lima beans and when the water returns to a boil, cover the pan, turn the heat to low, and cook beans until they are just tender; 10 to 12 minutes.
Drain the beans and let cool. Set aside 5 or 6 whole lima beans for garnish.
In a food processor bowl, combine ½ cup of olive oil, tahini paste, garlic, lemon zest, lemon juice, salt and cayenne. Mix until blended.
Add cooked lima beans in small batches, slowly adding the remaining ½ cup oil (or more) and scraping down the sides of the bowl to ensure even blending, until the mixture is smooth and creamy.
Garnish with the reserved beans, lemon zest and paprika, if desired, before serving.
Serves 8 to 10

The Nicholls State Colonel Coaches Caravan kicked off its four-city tour of southeast Louisiana on Thursday, reinforcing ties between the Thibodaux university and east St. Mary.

The ties seemed a little tighter this year, when Nicholls officials, including President Dr. Jay Clune, and coaches met with 70 alumni at the Petroleum Club of Morgan City.

Not long after Clune became president in 2018, Morgan City Councilman and Nicholls alumnus Lou Tamporello said, local Nicholls grads lobbied for a Colonel Caravan stop here.

"From that point on," Tamporello said, "it's been a hit."

"This is always the best event," Clune said from the lectern at the Petroleum Club. "It always has the biggest crowd."

"We always try to go out and meet people where they are ...," said Nicholls Athletic Director Jonathan Terrell. "It's a great place to mingle."

This year's Morgan City event came a few days after Berwick High pitcher Hayden Robinson, who had signed a letter of intent last fall to play baseball for Nicholls, became the only Louisiana high school player to be selected in this year's Major League Baseball draft.

Robinson was drafted by Milwaukee Brewers in the 14th round, one of 15 pitchers selected by the Brewers.

"We're hoping we can keep him and he doesn't go to the Brewers," Terrell said. "But we'll see."

Nicholls head baseball coach Mike Silva described Robinson as having good speed, a competitive nature and a solid family background.

"He's from here, right?" Silva said. "We've got to keep the kids at home. That's how you build any program, starting inside and working out."

Head football coach Tim Rebowe is working to rebound from a 3-8 2022 season with the help of some St. Mary players.

The 2023 roster includes Kyler Paul of Patterson, Hayden Seneca of Berwick, and Hugh Hamer and Nathan Hebb of Central Catholic.

Two local 2023 grads have signed Nicholls letters: linebacker Andrew Cavalier of Central Catholic and Berwick running back Jayden Milton.

The Colonels can't be accused of scheduling chumps as pre-conference warm-up opponents.

After opening at home Aug. 31 against Sacramento State, Nicholls goes on the road Sept. 9 to play Texas Christian, which went 12-0 in the 2022 regular season, was the national FBS runner-up. On Sept. 23, Nicholls goes to Tulane, which went 12-2 last season before knocking off 10th-ranked USC in the Cotton Bowl.

Nicholls has some numbers, with more than 90 players on the team..

"It's been a great summer ...," Rebowe said. "I like the direction that the players have things going."