The Bible is no longer in contention to become Louisiana’s official state book, after Rep. Thomas Carmody Jr., R-Shreveport, withdrew his provocative bill from the legislature’s docket Monday.
Carmody’s original draft of the bill only sought to designate a single, historic copy of the Bible found in the Louisiana State Museum as the official book. However, when the bill reached the House Committee on Municipal, Parochial and Cultural affairs, the language of the legislation had been changed to designate the standard King James version of the Bible as the state book.
Though the amended bill cleared the committee and was headed to a full vote on the House floor, Carmody pulled his legislation because he said it had become a distraction, according to NOLA.com | The Times- Picayune.
Drug penalties increased
This past week in the legislature reflected Louisiana lawmakers’ evident desire to maintain strict drug penalties in the state, as the Senate voted Monday to increase the maximum sentence for heroin distribution or possession to 99 years.
The bill, by Sen. Dan Claitor of Baton Rouge, was passed by a 32-vote margin and increases the penalty from the current maximum of 50 years. Claitor’s bill now heads to the House.
In more bad news for drug rights activists, a Senate judiciary committee killed a bill Tuesday that would have decreased penalties for marijuana possession.
SB 323, sponsored by Sen. J.P. Morrell, would have lessened the maximum penalty for any marijuana offense to either six months of jail time or a $100 fine.
LGBT anti-discrimination bill pulled
The legislature will no longer consider a bill that would outlaw workplace discrimination against members of Louisiana’s LGBT community.
Rep. Karen St. Germain, D-Plaquemine, withdrew her bill Tuesday because she knew she did not have enough votes to ensure a successful passage out of the House Civil Law and Procedure Committee, according to NOLA.com | The Times- Picayune.
The failure of Germain’s bill comes exactly a week after the legislature voted to uphold the state’s unconstitutional anti-sodomy statutes.
Proponents of equal rights did receive a small victory in the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee Wednesday when lawmakers passed a bill aimed toward guaranteeing equal pay for women.
Sen. Karen Carter Peterson of New Orleans’ bill would make it illegal for private sector employers to unintentionally pay female workers less than their male colleagues. State law already prohibits employers from intentionally paying women less.
Peterson’s bill will head to the Senate floor for a full vote.