State will
lose seat in U.S. Congress When the Louisiana legislature convenes in March to consider re-drawing the state's political district lines, Congressmen John Fleming of Minden and Rodney Alexander of Quitman will be more than interested observers. It will be the first time in state history that legislators will have called themselves into special session and when the dust finally settles, Louisiana will have one less congressional district. Fleming and Alexander could find themselves pitted against each other-and any Democratic candidate who might be interested, as well-for what potentially could be the only remaining seat in north Louisiana. In November, Fleming was elected to his second term of office while Alexander won his fifth consecutive term. State Rep. Rick Gallot (D-Ruston), chairman of the House and Governmental Affairs Committee that will deal with redistricting, announced earlier this week that lawmakers have already gathered sufficient petition signatures to call their own special session instead of leaving it for the governor to do so. Gallot said the decision was not a reflection on Gov. Bobby Jindal or anyone else. Instead, he said it is a function of the legislature. He said the session will begin on March 20 and could last until April 13. The special session is mandated by law to redraw congressional, legislative, Public Service Commission, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Louisiana Supreme Court, and certain other judicial district. Reapportionment is necessitated by the release of the 2010 census data and all re-drawn districts must be approved by the U.S. Justice Department before they can be used in the 2011 elections. Election for all state offices, from governor to legislature, will be held in the fall of 2011. Currently, there are two plans being floated for congressional districts. One would combine Districts Three and Seven, which comprise all the state's coastal parishes. Gallot said some coastal legislators are suggesting that scenario because the parishes share many issues, such as hurricane protection and coastal erosion. The second plan, one that would impact Alexander and Fleming, would merge Districts Four and Five into a single district. That would throw Monroe and Shreveport into the same congressional district. Sen. Bob Kostelka (R-Monroe), chairman of the Senate redistricting committee, has already made known his opposition to that plan. Even as they work to re-work congressional district lines, lawmakers also must contend with re-shaping the state's legislative districts, an undertaking that is sure to spark controversy as well as provide good entertainment for political junkies. For a few weeks, at least, the special reapportioning session will have one positive effect. The contentiousness that is certain to boil over onto the floor of the House and Senate will almost certainly distract lawmakers from the looming $1.6 billion budget deficit facing the state. That respite, however, will be short-lived. The regular session opens on April 23 and legislators will get a harsh dose of fiscal reality as they wrestle with trying to find a way to raise revenue in an election year. It has all the makings of the perfect political storm. |