In a significant development, Representative Beaullieu secured a 75 to 27 vote in favor of HB 800, propelling the United States one step closer to a constitutional convention. Joining the discussion in the studio is State Representative Dixon McMakin from District 68. The conversation centers around a proposed “constitutional refresh” rather than a complete rewrite of the existing constitution, which is now 50 years old.
The primary objective of this initiative is to retain the current wording of the constitution while removing unnecessary provisions. Over the years, the constitution has undergone more than 200 amendments, with over 300 additional proposals that did not fully materialize. By extracting these superfluous elements, the plan is to place them in a statute. This approach ensures that any future changes or modifications will require a two-thirds majority vote by the legislature.
The motivation behind this constitutional refresh is to equip Louisiana with the necessary tools to compete effectively with neighboring states. Currently, Louisiana lags behind in various aspects, and this effort aims to rectify that situation. While some technical adjustments may be necessary, the overall goal remains unchanged: preserve the existing constitution while streamlining it for better governance.
As the conversation continues, Speaker Devillier’s audio underscores the importance of this endeavor. While skepticism may arise, the focus remains on enhancing Louisiana’s position and addressing the challenges posed by other states. The finish line is in sight, and the state is poised for progress.