Louisiana Legislature

Louisiana revised a law that previously criminalized publishing elected officials' personal information online, removing penalties after critics called it unconstitutional. The amended law, effective August 1, no longer imposes criminal or financial penalties, addressing transparency advocates' concerns while maintaining privacy protections for officials.

Rolfe McCollister criticizes Gov. Jeff Landry and Louisiana legislators for hypocrisy, accusing them of demanding school districts cut $168 million from budgets while failing to address waste in the state’s $47 billion budget. McCollister also highlights Landry’s veto of Senate Bill 125, which aimed to increase compensation for the wrongly convicted, and questions the city’s approach to revitalizing City-Brooks Park.

Louisiana lawmakers canceled a special session aimed at overriding vetoes issued by Gov. Jeff Landry. Most of the vetoed items were sponsored by Democrats or located in Democratic legislative districts, and the session cancellation was supported by a majority of lawmakers.

Women make up 51% of Louisiana’s population and 55% of registered voters but hold only 22% of House and 14% of Senate seats. Despite historical milestones since 1936, progress in legislative representation has been slow, though Black women’s relative gains in elected office align with state demographics.

The article accuses Gov. Jeff Landry and the Louisiana Legislature of hypocrisy for demanding school districts cut budgets to address a $168 million shortfall while failing to address waste in their own $47 billion state budget. It criticizes their initial push for a constitutional amendment to fund current expenditures without eliminating waste and highlights Landry's veto of a bill to increase compensation for wrongfully convicted individuals.

State Sen. Larry Selders of Baton Rouge died unexpectedly on July 7, 2026. He served in the Louisiana Legislature since 2021, representing House District 67 before winning the 14th Senate District seat in 2025. Colleagues described him as a 'gentle giant' and highlighted his work on mental health and children's issues.

Education advocates withdrew a lawsuit challenging Governor Jeff Landry’s teacher stipend plan, citing legal difficulties after legislative support. The plan redirects $168 million from public schools’ general funding to teacher and staff stipends, with the lawsuit dismissed following a judge’s decision to dissolve a restraining order and remove the plaintiffs’ law firm due to a conflict of interest.

Louisiana Secretary of State Nancy Landry noted lower early voting turnout in June compared to May, attributing it to the shift in election dates and confusion over closed primaries. She emphasized election security and highlighted a shortage of poll workers, urging more people to volunteer.

Louisiana lawmakers approved a $168 million reduction to the Minimum Foundation Program for the 2026-27 school year to fund teacher and school worker stipends. The decision faced opposition from some school superintendents and followed a temporary restraining order related to the funding program.

A court order has paused Louisiana lawmakers' vote on Governor Jeff Landry's plan to reallocate $168 million from K-12 school operations to fund teacher stipends. The order, issued in response to a lawsuit, prevents the governor's administration and Treasurer John Fleming from shifting funds until a hearing, leading some legislators to withhold votes. Plaintiffs argue Landry is overstepping authority by altering state-approved funding formulas.

A new Louisiana law allows incarcerated individuals to earn 90 days of credit toward their parole supervision date by completing an associate’s degree, expanding an existing incentive for bachelor’s degrees. The law excludes violent and sex offenders, focusing on non-violent crimes like theft, fraud, or drug offenses.

Louisiana school leaders are confused about Gov. Jeff Landry’s plan to shift $168 million from school operations to teacher stipends, particularly regarding which districts qualify for exemptions. The governor’s recent clarification that some districts may not need to provide the stipends if they already gave raises has left local officials without clear guidance on eligibility criteria.

Louisiana Representative Cleo Fields discusses his continued advocacy for voting rights after his district was redrawn following a Supreme Court decision impacting the Voting Rights Act. The article highlights redistricting efforts in Louisiana and South Carolina and features insights from journalists covering related developments.

The committee selecting the next Southern University System president is nearing completion of its search, with finalists expected within a month. Speculation exists about U.S. Rep. Cleo Fields, a Southern alumnus, being a candidate, though the committee has not identified specific individuals. The timeline was extended due to delays in hiring a search firm, and recent political changes in Louisiana have influenced the process.

The University of New Orleans (UNO) may lose its R2 research status after rejoining the LSU System, as financial stability is prioritized over maintaining research activity. LSU System President Wade Rousse emphasized revenue growth and expense management, while UNO's transition back to LSU follows years of declining enrollment post-Hurricane Katrina. The Louisiana Legislature allocated $20 million to aid UNO's transition, but long-term research status remains uncertain.

Governor Jeff Landry's proposal to shift $168 million from K-12 school operations to teacher pay stipends faces opposition from education leaders and advocates, who warn it could lead to layoffs and reduced classroom instruction, particularly in rural areas. Critics argue the funding cut targets essential operational costs like maintenance and insurance, not administrative waste.

The Louisiana Legislature is reversing Black political power through new laws, reducing Black officeholders despite historical gains post-Civil War and the Voting Rights Act of 1965. Recent redistricting and legislative changes, including the Supreme Court's ruling in Louisiana v. Callais, have shifted majority-Black districts to majority-white Republican representation.

Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill to expand wood pellet manufacturing despite acknowledging limited knowledge of the industry. The legislation, sponsored by Representative Chuck Owen, aims to incentivize pellet mills, which are owned by a British company and linked to environmental concerns.

Louisiana lawmakers passed a bill to retroactively change financial disclosure law effective dates, which could help Rep. Steven Jackson avoid a $1,000 ethics fine. The bill, House Bill 250, was amended by the Senate to apply retroactively, potentially affecting Jackson's late filing penalties. The Louisiana Ethics Administrator noted this could impact Jackson's outstanding fees.

Gov. Jeff Landry issued an executive order requesting lawmakers to allocate $168 million from K-12 public schools to fund teacher and support staff stipends for the 2026-2027 school year. The plan requires two-thirds legislative approval and aims to prevent pay cuts after a budget shortfall and rejection of a constitutional amendment for salary increases.

Louisiana lawmakers approved double-digit raises for seven of Gov. Jeff Landry’s cabinet secretaries, effective July 1, while excluding stipends for public school teachers and support staff. Landry pledged to reallocate funds to avoid teacher pay reductions but has not detailed how.

Louisiana legislators approved a congressional redistricting bill that reduces the state’s majority-Black districts to one, likely triggering lawsuits from both conservative white voters and the Louisiana Legislative Black Caucus. The Senate passed Senate Bill 121 along party lines, retaining a single majority-Black district held by Rep. Troy Carter while eliminating another held by Rep. Cleo Fields. Gov. Jeff Landry signed the bill into law, and sponsors claimed the map prioritized party over race.

Louisiana wildlife regulators approved a new plan to manage chronic wasting disease (CWD) in deer, easing restrictions on baiting for hunters within designated disease management zones. The policy change follows legislation by state lawmakers requiring adjustments to CWD prevention measures, with updated zones now covering parts of Catahoula, Concordia, Ouachita, and Tensas parishes.

The Louisiana Legislature approved double-digit pay increases for seven of Gov. Jeff Landry’s cabinet secretaries, effective July 1, while the new budget does not include stipends for public school teachers and support staff. Landry’s office claims the raises aim to attract top talent, but the teacher pay issue remains unresolved.

Louisiana teachers and school advocates are seeking more details on Gov. Jeff Landry's plan to avoid teacher pay cuts for the 2026-27 school year after a constitutional amendment to fund stipends failed. The legislature approved a budget that removes annual pay stipends for teachers and staff, prompting concerns about funding sources and potential cuts to other school services.

Louisiana Legislature approved a congressional redistricting bill that reduces the number of majority-Black districts from two to one, likely sparking litigation from both conservative white voters and the Legislative Black Caucus. The bill, passed on a party-line vote, aims to increase Republican representation in Congress but faces criticism for racial bias.

The Louisiana Legislature passed a new congressional map that would reduce the number of majority-Black districts in the state from two to one. The map is designed to help the Republican Party gain an additional congressional seat.

Louisiana lawmakers passed a new congressional map to secure an additional Republican seat, reducing the state's majority-Black districts from two to one. The map was drawn after the U.S. Supreme Court struck down the previous plan as an illegal racial gerrymander, intensifying a national redistricting battle. Republican Governor Jeff Landry is expected to sign the new map, which redraws districts to cluster Democratic representatives Cleo Fields and Troy Carter.

The Louisiana legislature passed a new GOP-favored House map that eliminates one of the state’s Black-majority congressional districts following a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that declared the previous map unconstitutional. The Senate had previously approved new congressional lines, but the House had initially delayed action.

Louisiana lawmakers passed House Bill 670 to provide incentives for the wood pellet industry, easing regulations and offering workforce and infrastructure support. The industry faces criticism for pollution violations and greenhouse gas emissions linked to exports to the UK, with opponents arguing it undermines environmental goals.

Louisiana voters will decide on a constitutional amendment to change gubernatorial term limits from two consecutive terms to a total of two terms. The proposed amendment, sponsored by Rep. Mike Bayham, will be on the November 3 ballot and aims to restrict governors from serving more than two terms regardless of consecutiveness. The current law allows governors to run again after a break from office.

Governor Jeff Landry pledged to avoid a pay cut for Louisiana public school teachers but has not disclosed how to fund the $198 million needed for stipends. Legislators and advocates are seeking clarity on potential funding sources, including a proposed $150 million reallocation from the Minimum Foundation Program, which could risk school district operations.

Gov. Jeff Landry proposes reallocating $150 million from the Minimum Foundation Program, a public school funding formula, to prevent a $2,000 teacher stipend cut. The plan requires an executive order and legislative approval, but the funds would come from non-instructional programs, potentially affecting some non-classroom staff. The Louisiana Federation of Teachers expressed cautious optimism.

Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry traveled to Greenland after voters rejected his supported constitutional amendments, including a plan to provide K-12 teachers with a permanent pay increase. Landry declared no state employees would receive raises unless teachers got one first, but the legislature is proceeding with raises for some state workers despite his stance.

Louisiana Republican senators advanced a plan to eliminate one of two majority-Black US House districts after a US Supreme Court ruling struck down the state's map as an illegal racial gerrymander. The move follows similar efforts in Southern states to target Democratic-held seats with large minority populations. Republicans aim to gain more seats through redistricting.

Louisiana will adjust its congressional maps before the 2026 midterm elections following a Supreme Court decision impacting the Voting Rights Act. The state is collaborating with the Legislature and Secretary of State to implement the changes.