BILL PASSED TO SENATE FOR DEBATE - Louisiana senators have started advancing a proposal to give themselves some sway over Gov. John Bel Edwards’ executive powers in responding to the coronavirus pandemic. This stems from criticism from Republican house and senate leadership that the Democratic governor has failed to communicate with them. During the Senate Judiciary B committee meeting yesterday Senate President Page Cortez presented a bill that would create a regulatory framework for legislative oversight when a Louisiana governor extends an emergency order for more than 30 days.
"Executive branch powers get expanded during a declared emergency. Legislative powers of oversight are very limited." Page Cortez, President - Louisiana Senate
"Executive branch powers get expanded during a declared emergency. Legislative powers of oversight are very limited," Cortez explained. "So what as a legislator can you do to respond to your constituents when they have questions about the particular disaster or emergency?"
The one option Cortez explained is to call a special session and pass new legislation. Cortez’s Senate Bill 29 falls short of what some conservative Republicans want in that it wouldn’t give lawmakers new avenues to stall those emergency decisions from taking effect. Yesterday - The Senate Judiciary B committee advanced Cortez's bill to the full Senate. A House committee today is scheduled to debate a more aggressive approach.
