Jeremy Alford: Distractions surround special session

The Louisiana Legislature kicked off its decennial redistricting session Tuesday and will have roughly three weeks to draw new election maps. But make no mistake — mapmaking isn’t the only task at hand for lawmakers.
In addition to the Census-related drama of the ongoing special session, lawmakers will spend the coming weeks wading through a developing controversy involving the governor, planning for the upcoming regular session and, of course, raising money for their re-election campaigns.
The first day of the redistricting session was marked by complaints about the lack of proposed maps available for review and mixed reports on pacing — while some lawmakers expected a fast-tracked process, others admitted that was probably wishful thinking.
Opening day was also overshadowed by news that the governor would meet with members of the Black Caucus and address the Capitol press corps. The Associated Press published a report last week involving Gov. John Bel Edwards, State Police and the possible coverup of the death of Ronald Greene, a Black man who died following a violent struggle with troopers.
While Edwards contends there was no coverup, House Speaker Clay Schexnayder and other legislative leaders intend to “seek the truth” in the coming weeks. It’s unclear exactly what that means, but Schexnayder has used the term “gross misconduct” in his statements, matching language from the impeachment provisions of Article 10 of the Louisiana Constitution.
Members of the Black Caucus want answers, too. They also want a redrawn congressional map that offers two districts led by minority voters, as opposed to the one that currently exists. If there’s a deal to be made with Edwards on this front, it will happen behind closed doors.
The governor’s controversy certainly adds an unexpected wrinkle to redistricting. If lawmakers launch any kind of probe or investigation, the hearings might overlap with the special session or even the regular session.
Speaking of the regular session, lawmakers are endeavoring to focus on that policymaking gathering as well. Members of the Legislature’s delegations and caucuses will use the special session as an opportunity to meet and plan for the regular session, which convenes March 14. “We’re starting to set the table now,” said Rep. Blake Miguez, chairman of the Republican Legislative Delegation.
Already there are 42 legislative instruments filed for the regular session, and hundreds more bills will be dropped into the hopper in the coming weeks. There’s an intense budget debate on tap, with a massive amount of one-time money ready to spend. Plus, conservative lawmakers will tackle several topics that failed to gain traction last year, like critical race theory and transgender athletes.
Finally, fundraising will be a major feature of the redistricting session. Lawmakers are prohibited from raising money during regular sessions, but the prohibition doesn’t apply to extraordinary (or special) sessions. This week alone there are 18 different lawmakers holding fundraisers in Baton Rouge. Over the next three weeks, that tally will reach nearly 60 — out of 143 sitting legislators.
For a task like redistricting, which is always intimate, emotionally-charged and, above all else, political, distractions — even those with campaign contributions attached — aren’t always welcome. Maybe that’s why some lawmakers are hoping to fast-track the redistricting session.
In an interview last week, House and Governmental Affairs Chairman John Stefanski said he and others were looking into various ways to work as quickly as possible. If all goes as planned, that would result in map-bearing bills being sent to the governor with time to spare prior to adjournment.
“That’s definitely something we’re discussing,” said Stefanski. “The biggest determining factor will be how many competing bills are ultimately filed and how quickly we can move through them.”
The chairman said he was spending about 90 percent of his time last week on the proposed map for the state House of Representatives. That effort, in concert with the state Senate’s work on its own map, could prove to be among the most controversial of the special session.
Lawmakers say they’re striving to keep those disagreements “inside the rails.” But as of this week, there were still many points of contention.
Across north Louisiana, lawmakers have worked to make sure voters are aware that serious changes may be in store. In another interview with The Bossier Press last week, Sen. Robert Mills said, “The most likely case is that the Shreveport–Bossier area is going to lose a state senator. Politically, that’s not good. But, you can’t generate people where you don’t have them.”
Then there are the proposed maps for Congress, the Public Service Commission, Supreme Court and Board of Elementary and Secondary Education. Each will present their own unique challenges that will need to be addressed during the three-week special session. Let’s hope all of the various distractions in Baton Rouge won’t keep lawmakers from accomplishing these tasks in a timely fashion.
For more Louisiana political news, visit www.LaPolitics.com or follow Alford on Twitter @LaPoliticsNow.