Both chambers of the legislature will gavel into the special veto override session today at noon. It will be a superb opportunity for our Republican legislators to make a show of unity as well as assert their independence from a failed Democrat governor and his eight years of disastrous maladministration. 

And make no mistake, all Republican legislators who are not soon retiring should want to put as much distance between themselves and this administration as possible, because the floodgates of our treasury which John Bel has opened have poured forth a torrent of financial surpluses which will sorely be needed in the next few years. Louisiana is heading for a fiscal comeuppance which will make the supposed billion-dollar fiscal cliff of John Bel’s first year look like the merest anthill on an overgrown lawn.

This is no time for anyone to allow personal agendas or past feuds to interfere with the work of our legislators, who must take this opportunity to stand up for the citizens of Louisiana. All responsible senators and representatives must fight to undo the harms wrought by the vetos and line-item vetos of this governor.

We are not just talking about the ghoulish effects of the veto of Rep. Firment’s HB648, which allows the use of hormone blockers and the surgical removal of the sex organs of children. This is the John Bel veto which has generated the most attention, as well it should have, but there are other worthy bills and projects which were vetoed for no other reason than to punish conservative legislators.

By way of example, Sen. Allain’s SB1 phased out the corporate franchise tax and thereby attempted to reduce the tax burden on Louisiana businesses. Rep. Farnum’s HB646 provided for the annual canvassing of registered voters and would have further secured the integrity of our elections. It had the strong support of Secretary of State Ardoin, but was vetoed for partisan political purposes. Rep. Chuck Owens was successful in incorporating a project to fix a small town’s water supply into an appropriations bill, only to have it vetoed by a ruthless governor. There are many more other vetoes which need to be reversed that you can see HERE.

The LAGOP implores all Republican and fair-minded Democrat legislators to reject all of the Governor’s vetoes. By all means stay as long as it takes, but do the right thing. Only you have the authority to undo the damage done to our state and its citizens by a vengeful and vindictive John Bel Edwards. This is an opportunity to usher in a new era of government. Please do not waste it!