After many years of blight and its associated difficulties, it appears that Louisiana has been given a rare lifeline to turn things around. With New Orleans one of the most dangerous cities in the nation, this initiative is an excellent opportunity for much-needed transformation and revitalization. If all goes well, the outlook for locals will be greatly improved and their safety concerns could become a thing of the past, if the state GOP seizes this gifted opportunity.
This could be a chance for Louisiana to finally get the state in order. But will they do anything with this new state house supermajority gifted to them by now former democrat Francis Thompson?
Daily Wire reports, republican lawmakers in Louisiana gained a significant advantage after a longtime Democrat switched parties.
According to CBS affiliate WAFB, state representative Francis Thompson, who has been a Democrat for decades, changed his party registration on Friday.
Now that Republicans have gained a majority in both chambers, they can override vetoes by Democratic Governor John Bel Edwards with a two-thirds supermajority.
Newsweek reports that this is the first time Republican lawmakers have had such an advantage in Louisiana’s roughly 210-year history.
Though 81-year-old Thompson acknowledged having a conservative voting record, he insisted that his values have not changed.
Here Rep. Thompson speaks about the move himself.
The Associated Press reports that Thompson has joined Republicans in calling for veto override sessions in recent years.
It includes a failed attempt to override the veto of legislation in 2021 that would have prohibited biological male athletes from competing in girls’ and women’s sports. Despite this, the governor did not veto a transgender sports ban last year.
Louisiana Democrats, who have been trending more red in recent decades, shrugged at Thompson’s party change.
In a statement, Rep. Sam Jenkins, chairman of the Democratic Caucus in the House of Representatives, said, “While Rep. Thompson’s decision is disappointing, it is not surprising. He already caucused with Republicans.”
Like I said, all though republicans have the supermajority for a short time period before elections come up at the end of the year, this is an opportunity for them to finally move some legislation to strengthen the state, economically and crime wise. Hopefully they don’t fumble the ball with such an opportunity upon them.
Let’s continue this conversation, in the comments below.
