During their three-month-long session, Louisiana’s state legislators found themselves looking past the devastation of hurricanes to the immediate concerns of day-to-day life. Those issues included sex offenders, legislative ethics, abortion, minimum wage increases and public smoking bans, all controversial topics that made for some heated moments. “We had two intense special sessions to deal with hurricane issues,” said Rep. Chuck Kleckley, R- Calcasieu. “There were still other issues to face, and I believe we did that, but in a very contentious way.” This new take-charge attitude was present in the tougher stance many legislators adopted against sex offenders, a position that took form in House Bill 80, which requires the annual registration of a sex offender for up to ten years after their release. The bill became law after Governor Kathleen Blanco signed it on May 12. “There were loopholes in the law,” Kleckley said. “Sex offenders are sick people; we have to keep those loopholes closed and keep them locked up.” The most hotly contested pieces of legislation were proposed by Rep. Gary Beard, R-Baton Rouge, including the so-called “ethical milestone,” a bill that prevents elected officials and their relatives from profiting from government contracts for hurricane reconstruction work. Though many of his colleagues questioned the bill’s merits, the fifth-year legislator saw the need to reaffirm the public’s trust. “We need to set a new precedent for the rest of the nation to see, for the citizens to see,” Beard said. “We need appropriate safeguards.” Beard’s second and more controversial measure outlaws nearly all abortions in the state of Louisiana, with the exception of cases where the mother’s life is endangered. The legislation, which passed almost uncontested through both houses, will only take effect if the Roe v. Wade ruling is overturned in the U.S. Supreme Court. Regardless of that outcome, Beard said he feels he’s adequately represented the citizens of his district and state. “The people of Louisiana have always been adamantly pro-life,” he said. Controversy also surrounded Senate Bill 700, which proposed an increase in the 2007 minimum wage for state workers by $1 from the current federal rate of $5.15. The bill voting was divided along party lines, with Democrats in favor, Republicans opposed and both sides unwilling to back down. The bill’s sponsor, Sen. C.D. Jones, D-Monroe, notes the $10,000 pay increases state judges are about to receive. “We’re going to give judges a $10,000 raise. But the person who makes $10,000 a year, are we going to give them $1?” Still, opponents cite the example of Michigan, another state who raised the minimum wage rate only to see its unemployment rate rise to 6.2 percent. “Some people will lose their jobs. Some people will work shorter hours,” said Charlie Hodson, state director of the independent business group. “The small-business community strongly urged that this not be passed.” Senate Bill 742 was another piece of legislation that drew the criticism of many businesses. It proposes the creation of a “smoke free” zone in offices, malls and restaurants across the state. While opponents say the ban is unfair to their smoking patrons, the bill’s sponsor, Sen. Rob Marionneaux, D-Gross Tete, sees it as a major step toward a healthier Louisiana. “I know this is a difficult task at hand with restaurants,” Marionneaux said to the Associated Press. “But I prefer to protect the health of people now exposed to second-hand smoke.” The bill, which passed with little debate, now sits on the desk of Gov. Kathleen Blanco awaiting either her approval or veto. If signed into law, it would go into effect Jan. 1, 2007. While the 2006 Regular Legislative Session introduced several important measures, less than one tenth of the bills passed dealt with readiness, response or recovery for future natural disasters in Louisiana. The most notable is House Bill 1007, which provides for stronger penalties against hurricane looters under the new $2.8 billion budget allocated to various state emergency relief departments. But some, such as Rep. Peppi Bruneau, R-New Orleans, see the measure as too little too late for a legislature that largely ignored the needs of thousands of hurricane-displaced citizens. “Katrina was the largest physical disaster in this country’s history, and that’s what we ought to be about,” Bruneau said to the A.P. Bruneau’s allegations ring true for some of his fellow legislators, who admit that fatigue played a large factor in the state government’s unwillingness to tackle the hurricane issue with full force. “Most of us were so worn out from the special session that new legislation was kind of put on the back burner,” said Rep. Tom McVea, R-St. Francisville. Despite the controversy, many of the state’s top officials feel confident that the legislation passed in this session will help Louisiana continue to rebuild while preparing it for another active hurricane season. “A year ago, we weren’t prepared,” Kleckley said. “Since September, we’ve passed sweeping legislation that will ensure if it happens again, we’ll be completely prepared.”
Contact Joe Ehrich at [email protected]