Explaining the Constitutional Amendments
On the November 18 Runoff Ballot you can anticipate voting on four constitutional amendments. In addition to knowing about the candidates you support and why, we want to help ensure you feel confident to vote all down the ballot. Make your voice heard as we head to the polls to decide on what should be changed in our state constitution.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1
“Do you support an amendment to clarify that the timing of gubernatorial action on a bill and his return of a vetoed bill to the legislature is based upon the legislative session in which the bill passed and to authorize the legislature, if it is in session, to reconsider vetoed bills without convening a separate veto session?”
To become a law, a bill has to be approved by the legislature, sent to the Governor, and the Governor has to sign the bill. If the Governor does not sign the bill, they can veto the bill and send it back to the legislature. When this happens, if more than 2/3 of the legislature votes in support of the bill, they can override the Governor’s veto. To override the Governor’s veto, the legislature has to call a special veto session to take the new vote.
A “yes” vote would allow the legislature to take a vote to override a veto during a regular or special session.
A “no” vote would keep the current rules and require the legislature to call a special veto session to take a vote for a veto override.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2
“Do you support an amendment to remove provisions of the Constitution of Louisiana which created the following inactive special funds within the state treasury: Atchafalaya Basin Conservation Fund, Higher Education Louisiana Partnership Fund, Millennium Leverage Fund, Agricultural and Seafood Products Support Fund, First Use Tax Trust Fund, Louisiana Investment Fund for Enhancement and to provide for the transfer of any remaining monies in such funds to the state general fund?”
The listed funds were created in the Louisiana constitution. They are no longer active funds though there is remaining money in some accounts.
A “yes” vote would remove these inactive funds from the Constitution and transfer any remaining money back to the state general fund for use on ongoing projects.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3
“Do you support an amendment to authorize the local governing authority of a parish to provide an ad valorem tax exemption for qualified first responders?”
A “yes” vote would allow local governments to allow an additional property tax exemption for first responders. This would not require local governments to allow this property tax exemption.
A “no” vote would not give authority for local governments to create an additional property tax exemption for first responders.
Proposed Constitutional Amendment 4
“Do you support an amendment authorizing the legislature, after securing a two-thirds vote of each house, to use up to two hundred fifty million dollars from the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to alleviate a budget deficit subject to conditions set forth by law and allowing the legislature to modify such conditions for accessing the monies in the fund, subject to two-thirds vote?”
Since 2016, Louisiana has deposited higher than expected revenues from corporations into a separate Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. A ⅔ vote of the legislature allows money to be withdrawn from this account up to the full amount.
A “yes” vote on this amendment would add an additional restriction to only allows the state legislature, through a two-thirds supermajority vote, to use up to $250 million of funds in the Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund to alleviate a budget deficit.
A “no” vote would maintain the current regulations.