Our Legislators need to “man up”

Don’t let our state legislators weasel out of their state budget responsibilities.  Since the beginning of time, the legislators in Louisiana have basically approved budgets as originally submitted by the governor in power.

This year many of our state representatives are complaining loudly about how they’ve had enough of Jindal’s voodoo budgetary scheming.  They’ve even ventured to offer some possible alternatives to his budget plans, after which they always end with the self-defeating statement that Jindal probably wouldn’t go along with it and would most likely veto it, as if bullied into this conclusion by Jindal’s repeated veto history.

News flash!  Legislators can override the governor’s vetoes anytime they desire by simply deciding to call a special veto session.  However,  either legislative house can override that decision by a majority of the elected members of either house declaring in writing that a veto session is unnecessary. The declaration must be received by the presiding officer of the respective houses at least five days prior to the day on which the veto session is to convene.  Veto sessions cannot exceed five days, and any veto session may be finally adjourned prior to the end of the fifth day upon a vote of two-thirds of the elected members of each house. 

I could not find the last time such a veto session was held by our esteemed representatives.

So while your legislators may talk big and bad about how they’re going to deal with Bobby this year, don’t expect it to happen.  Talk is cheap.  Until they decide to use the responsibility given to them by their constituents, namely, to do what’s best for our state, and lose the phrase, “but Jindal will most likely veto it,” nothing productive will be accomplished.  They will just go through the motions and basically approve Jindal’s proposed draconian budget, almost completely intact, as they have done in the past.

If you want your legislators to stand up to Bobby Jindal, you will have to convince them to postpone their eagerness to start their summer vacations and work another 5 days, something thus far they have refused to do. 

However maybe they’re not lazy after all, but simply legislative cowards.