Some lawmakers are pushing back on Governor Jeff Landry's calls for a constitutional convention, especially Landry's calls to convent that convention immediately after the ongoing legislative session ends.
Does this mean the honeymoon phase between Governor Landry and the legislature is over? One analyst says: not quite.
"I don't think it's a question of the honeymoon period starting to fade," University of Louisiana at Monroe political science professor Pearson Cross said. "I think it's really just a question of the workload."
Cross says lawmakers are burnt out after working through three sessions already this year.
"They're tired," Cross said. "They've been in session a lot. Then looking ahead, Governor Landry is saying, 'Let's do a constitutional convention,' which many of those legislators would be there for. I think they're thinking: geez, we need a break!"
According to Cross, lawmakers are open to a constitutional convention--just not now.
"I don't think they want to get into a position where they're saying 'no' to Jeff Landry this early. They might try to negotiate with him. I think, realistically, with the presidential election in the fall and a lot of attention in that direction, they could do it then, or they could wait until 2025, which might be more prudent."
Cross believes Republican legislators are primed to take advantage of having a fellow GOP member in the governor's mansion.
"There's a great deal of pent up energy now that John Bel Edwards has left," Cross said. "The majorities of Republicans in the House and Senate have all this energy for passing legislation for changing things about the state, including the constitution. I think if he picked a better date for most people, they'd be ready to go along."
