Through the muck and rain, Louisiana citizens went to the polls Tuesday to choose a U.S. Senator and voice their opinion on 11 constitutional amendments.
Sen. Mary Landrieu received 46 percent of Louisiana’s votes followed by Suzanne Haik Terrell with 27 percent, John Cooksey with 14 percent and Tony Perkins with 10 percent.
Because no candidate received 51 percent of the vote, Landrieu and Terrell will compete in a run-off election Dec. 7.
In addition to the highly contested senatorial races, the 11 constitutional amendment results were a close call.
Voters approved Amendment 2, or the Stelly Bill, by a slim margin of 51 percent. This bill will permanently eliminate 4 percent of the state sales tax and swap it with higher income taxes. The Stelly Plan affects those who make $75,000 or less. Citizens who fall into this bracket will retain 4 percent of their taxes beginning Jan. 1.
Before Tuesday, the amendment gained a unanimous backing from the Student Senate, and Chancellor Emmert expressed the need for students to vote in a broadcast email.
Amendments 3 and 8 also directly affect higher education.
Amendment 3 will allow the state to cut other portions of the state budget besides higher education. The amendment passed by 58 percent.
However voters did not approve Amendment 8. The amendment would have given public colleges and universities the ability to invest 50 percent of endowment money into stocks. Only 49 percent of citizens voted for the plan.
Other constitutional amendments passed or failed as follows:
*Amendment 1 — passed with 55 percent to increase the days in the fiscal session, increase the number of non-fiscal bills legislators can introduce and move fiscal sessions from even to odd numbered years.
*Amendment 4 — passed with 70 percent to require state or local public employees convicted of a felony to be terminated after all appeals are exhausted.
*Amendment 5 — failed by 61 percent. The state can continue to limit the length of tax exemptions for retirement communities.
*Amendment 6 — passed with 63 percent to mandate a minimum $300 per month state pay supplement to full-time local law enforcement officers and fire fighters.
*Amendment 7 — passed with 68 percent. The amendment allows senior citizens to apply only once for a property tax assessment.
*Amendment 9 — failed by 51 percent. The state still cannot invest medicaid funds in the stock market.
*Amendment 10 — failed by 54 percent. The state still cannot give loans, pledges or donations from public funds to any private person.
*Amendment 11 — failed by 53 percent. Local governments still have the power to tax drilling rigs within their territory.