On December 7th, voters will encounter four constitutional amendments on their ballots. Melinda Delatte from the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana (PAR) provides an analysis of these amendments.
Amendment 1: This amendment proposes allowing the Supreme Court to sanction judges based on Judiciary Commission investigations and adding five political appointees to the Commission. Currently, the Commission operates independently from the Supreme Court. The amendment aims to increase transparency and efficiency but faces criticism for potentially politicizing the process.
Amendment 2: This amendment mandates a 48-hour waiting period for legislators to review amendments to budget bills before final passage. This stems from the chaotic end of the 2023 legislative session, where legislators felt rushed to pass budget bills. Supporters argue it ensures thorough review of taxpayer money spending, while opponents believe it imposes unnecessary deadlines and should be managed through procedural rules rather than constitutional amendments.
Amendment 3: This amendment allows the legislature, with a two-thirds vote, to extend the legislative session by up to six days in two-day increments to pass budget bills. Currently, if the budget is not passed by the session’s end, a special session must be called. Supporters say this provides necessary flexibility, while opponents argue that the legislature should prioritize budget bills within the existing timeframe.
Amendment 4: This complex amendment changes the process for handling unpaid property taxes from a tax sale to a tax lien auction. Instead of buying the property, investors would buy the debt and could force a foreclosure to pay off the lien. This amendment aims to address potential constitutional issues with the current system and provide a cleaner process. However, opponents argue it could delay debt satisfaction and complicate local government funding.
These amendments reflect ongoing debates about judicial oversight, legislative processes, and property tax management, highlighting the balance between transparency, efficiency, and political influence.