Lafayette, LA – As Louisiana residents prepare to head to the polls on March 29, several organizations are raising concerns about the potential impact of the proposed amendments to the state constitution. The upcoming election will feature four amendments, including three related to judicial matters. Among them, Amendment 2, which revises Louisiana’s tax code, has drawn significant attention and criticism.
Jan Moller, the executive director of Invest in Louisiana, voiced concerns that voters may not have enough time to fully understand the sweeping changes that Amendment 2 proposes. This amendment seeks to overhaul the state’s tax code, which could have far-reaching effects on Louisiana’s taxation, budget, and revenue policies. Moller described the proposal as “massive” and warned that its implications are too significant to be addressed in such a short timeframe.
Moller also criticized the language used on the ballot, claiming it presents only the positive aspects of Amendment 2 while leaving out key details. “There are a lot of things in this amendment that the amendment would do that are not mentioned in the ballot language,” Moller said. “The ballot language itself is misleading.” He further argued that if the legislature intends to rewrite such an important part of the constitution, it should be done in a more deliberative manner, allowing for greater public input and debate.
The four proposed amendments on the March 29 ballot are as follows:
- Amendment 1: Would authorize lawmakers to create special courts and establish attorney disciplinary procedures.
- Amendment 2: Proposes revisions to Louisiana’s taxation, budget, and revenue policies, effectively overhauling the state’s tax code.
- Amendment 3: Expands the legislature’s power to send minors to adult prisons for certain felony crimes.
- Amendment 4: Seeks to change the dates for judicial elections in Louisiana.
Amendment 2 has drawn the most controversy, with a lawsuit recently filed against the state claiming that the amendment constitutes an unlawful attempt to rewrite the Louisiana Constitution. Critics argue that such a significant change should not be pushed through without adequate public understanding and deliberation.
In response to the public’s need for clarity, the Louisiana Public Affairs Research Council (PAR) has been hosting informational meetings across the state. Steven Procopio, a representative from PAR, emphasized the importance of educating voters about the amendments. “It’s really just to try to meet people and help them understand what’s in the constitutional amendments,” Procopio said. PAR has also published a guide to help voters navigate the proposed changes.
Despite these efforts to inform the public, the offices of Governor Jeff Landry and Attorney General Liz Murrill did not respond to requests for comment on the ongoing concerns regarding Amendment 2.
As the election day approaches, early voting will run from March 15 to March 22, giving Louisiana residents the opportunity to cast their ballots ahead of the March 29 vote.
For many voters, the question remains whether they will have enough time to fully grasp the implications of these sweeping constitutional changes.