Mostly trivial amendments except one merit approval

10/23/08
Yes, the Louisiana Constitution may be too detailed requiring a lot of amendments, but until that changes voters need to reconcile themselves to making informed decisions on alterations, even if they appear trivial.

The current crop of amendments while picayunish for the most part deserve passage, as they will almost imperceptibly change the document. Only a pair of them seem significant, imposing consecutive three-term limits with a two year grace period on appointment to state boards listed in the Constitution, and allowing a substitute legislator to take the place temporarily of one called to active military duty for at least 180 days.

What’s sauce for the goose is sauce for the gander concerning the former. The same logic why limits are good for legislators applies to board members – fresh perspectives from people that are just as capable, if not moreso, as current seatholders are most desirable.

The one exception that needs voting down is the replacement legislator measure. This would be an appointive position that by its nature subverts the elective, representative nature of the Legislature. There is nothing to prevent a House Speaker or Senate President (the appointers) from putting into the temporary slot somebody who owes their loyalty to that leader and will thereby give short shrift to contrary constituent desires. The honorable thing for a legislator to do who wishes his district not to be without representation in this predicament is to resign immediately to allow a successor’s election as quickly as possible.

Interestingly, the state’s prominent so-called “good government” groups have split on these – one for all, one against, one abstaining. Let this not be confusing: vote for all but amendment #3.