Louisiana Amendment 27, Creation of Mosquito Abatement Districts Amendment (1958)

Louisiana Amendment 27
Election date November 4, 1958
Topic County and municipal governance and Environment
Status Approved
Type Legislatively referred constitutional amendment	Origin State legislature

Louisiana Amendment 27 was on the ballot as a legislatively referred constitutional amendment in Louisiana on November 4, 1958. It was approved.

A "yes" vote supported establishing a process for parishes to create Mosquito Abatement Districts (MADs) as political subdivisions of the state with taxing powers.

A "no" vote opposed establishing a process for parishes to create Mosquito Abatement Districts (MADs) as political subdivisions of the state with taxing powers.

Election results

Louisiana Amendment 27
Result		Votes	Percentage
Yes		87,062	53.20%
No		76,588	46.80%

Results are officially certified.

Source

Text of measure

Ballot title

The ballot title for Amendment 27 was as follows:

“

The proposed amendment to Article VI of the Constitution, to add Section 11.1, to provide for the creation of Mosquito Abatement Districts, governing boards, and the financing, powers and functions thereof.

”

Background

In 1958, voters passed Amendment 27, which authorized parishes to create mosquito abatement districts (MADs). State Rep. Alvin Dyson (D) introduced the amendment into the Louisiana State Legislature as House Bill 497 in 1958. In the state Senate, the amendment was approved 32-1, with six members absent. In the state House, the amendment was approved 78-1, with 21 members absent and one vacant seat. The Daily Advertiser reported, “Proponents contend this measure will provide the legal framework necessary to place a full scale mosquito abatement program into effect." John R. Thistlethwaite, editor of the Daily World, said, "This would create another government setup, to be financed by taxes – with taxpayer approval – and we aren't convinced of the necessity." On Nov. 4, 53.2% of electors voted to approve the amendment.

Voters were asked to repeal the constitutional amendment on February 1, 1972. Based on a recommendation from a Constitutional Revision Commission, the legislature referred Amendment 5 to the ballot, which sought to repeal the constitutional provision authorizing MADs, contingent on the approval of Amendment 2. Amendment 2 was designed to authorize the state legislature to provide for special districts through statutes rather than constitutional amendments. However, voters rejected both Amendment 2 and Amendment 5.

MADs were removed from the constitution two years later, in 1974, when voters approved a new state constitution. The revised constitution incorporated changes similar to those proposed in 1972's Amendments 2 and 5. With the Louisiana Constitution of 1974, Article VI, Section 19 empowered the legislature to provide for special districts in statute. MADs were codified in the Louisiana Revised Statutes.

Path to the ballot

See also: Amending the Louisiana Constitution

A two-thirds (66.67%) vote is required during one session of the Louisiana State Legislature to place a constitutional amendment on the ballot. In 1958, that amounted to a minimum of 68 votes in the Louisiana House of Representatives and 26 votes in the Louisiana State Senate, assuming no vacancies. Amendments did not require the governor's signature to be referred to the ballot.

State Rep. Alvin Dyson (D) introduced the constitutional amendment into the Louisiana State Legislature as House Bill 497 in 1958. In the state Senate, the amendment was approved 32-1, with six members absent. In the state House, the amendment was approved 78-1, with 21 members absent and one vacant seat.

See also

1958 Measures

• 1958 Measures
• Environment on the ballot
• County and municipal governance on the ballot
• 1958 legislative sessions

Louisiana

• Louisiana ballot measures
• Louisiana ballot measure laws

News and analysis

• Ballot measure lawsuits
• Ballot measure readability
• Ballot measure polls