Talks of a state constitutional convention continue at the state capitol, and one analyst says Governor Jeff Landry and lawmakers want to put a new charter on a ballot as early as November. Questions remain, though, as to if that convention will take place.
"These folks, they do have jobs," LAPolitics.com Jeremy Alford said, noting that lawmakers are hesitant to convene for a fifth session this year.
Alford told WWL's Tommy Tucker that if lawmakers do meet in a constitutional convention, they might work rapidly so they can end the convention as soon as possible.
"Folks want to move fast," Alford said. "The architects of the current push see an opportunity for compromise, and that compromise is this format where you remove things from the constitution and put it into statue and don't necessarily add new parts."
Alford says lawmakers could get their wish and complete the session within a few weeks. That's because, Alford says, legislators may not draft the proposed constitution themselves. Rather, he says, legislative staffers and staffers from the governor's office may write the draft of the constitution.
Other unknowns also remain.
"The devil's in the details, and the clock is ticking," Alford said. "We also don't know yet if it's going to be unicameral--meaning one convention floor for the House, Senate, and the appointees--or bicameral or tricameral, even."
Alford says the constitutional convention could convene as early as May 20.
