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State Legislative Tracker: Louisiana Legislature Convenes

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April 8, 2013

Edited by Joel Williams
This week's tracker takes a look at the Louisiana State Legislature's agenda as it convenes this week.

Weekly highlight

As of today, all 50 states have kicked off their 2013 sessions. Here is a rundown of the issues the Louisiana State Legislature hopes to address this session:[1]

  • Taxes: Gov. Bobby Jindal's tax plan has received much speculation and criticism recently, and will finally be up for consideration. The proposal would completely eliminate income and corporate taxes, but compensate with a higher sales tax and expanding that tax to include goods and services that are not currently taxed. The plan is a package of eleven bills that are all tied together and unable to be passed separately.
  • Education: The legislature will reconsider a package of bills passed in last year's session but currently being challenged in the Louisiana Supreme Court. The ultimate aim of the legislation is to expand the voucher system used in New Orleans to the rest of the state. Passed last session as two bills, the legislation will be broken up into eight smaller parts this year.
  • Budget: Jindal's $24.7 billion budget is expected to be a hot topic of debate in the legislature. Roughly $1 billion smaller than last year's budget, the plan will privatize public hospitals currently run by Louisiana State University in order to make up the difference. The budget also includes nearly half a billion dollars in non-recurring income from events, such as the future sale of state properties, for the state's colleges and universities.
  • Medicaid: Medicaid is expected to be another divisive issue in the legislature. Jindal has rejected the expansion of federal Medicaid, but five lawmakers have filed bills requiring Louisiana to comply with the Affordable Care Act by January 1, 2014. Rep. Paul Hollis (R) has filed a constitutional amendment to prevent any law from requiring participation in the health care system by providers, individuals, or employers.




Sessions

Regular sessions

Current sessions capture for the week of April 8, 2013
See also: Dates of 2013 state legislative sessions
Click here to see a chart of each state's 2013 session information.

Currently 38 out of 50 state legislatures are meeting in regular session. One state, California, is meeting in special session concurrent with their regular session.

As of April 8, all states states have convened their 2013 legislative sessions.[2]

The following states have ended their regular session:[3]

Special sessions

Snapshot of State Legislatures:
April 8, 2013
There are 7,384 Total State Legislators
Total Democratic state legislators 3,462 (46.9%)
Total Republican state legislators 3,821 (51.7%)
There are 99 Total State Legislative Chambers
Total Democratic Party-controlled chambers 40
Total Republican Party-controlled chambers 57
Total tied or nonpartisan chambers 2
2013 Session Information
Total Special Elections 30
Total Special Sessions 1

There is one special session ongoing this week in California.

California

During his State of the State address on January 24, Gov. Jerry Brown (D) called for the Legislature to hold a special session concurrent with the regular session in order to bring the state in compliance with the federal Affordable Care Act. The special session began January 28 and is expected to last for several months.[4][5]

In recess

As of today, April 8, 2 states' sessions are currently in recess:

Redistricting

Redistricting Roundup.jpg

State news

Redistricting Facts
Maps submitted for vote: 138 out of 142 (97.2%)** No votes on initial maps in the following: ME (2), MT (2)
States that have completed Congressional Maps 42/43 (Maps ordered redrawn: TX)
States that have completed State Legislative Maps 45/50 (Maps unfinished: ME, MT; Maps ordered redrawn: AK, KY, TX)
**With 50 states, there are 142 possible maps. 50 State Senate, 49 State House (No House in Nebraska), and 43 Congressional (7 states have 1 seat)
See also: Status of redistricting maps after the 2010 census

While the great majority of states have completed their redistricting following the 2010 census, the issue still remains for a handful of states. Maine and Montana are not required to have their maps completed until 2014. Alaska, Kentucky and Texas, however, saw their maps rejected for legal reasons and will have to take up the drawing of maps once again.

Redistricting in Texas

See also: Redistricting in Texas

Redistricting in Texas is still stalled as legislators await a ruling from the U.S. Supreme Court in the Shelby County case. U.S. Rep. Marc Veasey (D) stated publicly that he expects little redistricting discussion until this summer.[7]

2013 Legislative Elections

See also: State legislative elections, 2013

A total of 3 of the 99 chambers will hold state legislative elections on November 5, 2013.

The 3 chambers with elections in 2013 are in 2 states. They are:

Louisiana and Mississippi also typically hold elections in odd years. However, legislators are elected to 4-year terms in those states and those will not be up for election again until 2015.

40 of the country's 1,972 state senate seats are up for re-election in November 2013, and 180 of the country's 5,411 state house seats are up for re-election. Altogether, 220 of the country's 7,383 state legislative seats are up for re-election on November 5, 2013.

Signature filing deadlines

See also: Signature requirements and deadlines for 2013 state legislative elections

The state legislative filing deadlines are as follows:

  • New Jersey:
  • April 1, 2013 (Major party)
  • June 4, 2013 (Independent)

Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 100 voters in the legislative district. Candidates are required to disclose any criminal convictions.[8]

  • Virginia:
  • March 28, 2013 (Major party)
  • June 11, 2013 (Independent)

Nomination petitions must contain the signatures of at least 125 qualified voters in the legislative district. Major party candidates are required to submit a primary filing fee equal to 2% of the annual salary for the office sought in effect in the year in which the candidate files. In 2013, the primary filing fee is $352.80.[9]

Primaries

The state primaries are as follows:

  • New Jersey:
  • June 4, 2013
  • Virginia:
  • June 11, 2013

Special Elections

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See also: State legislative special elections, 2013

There is one special election place this week in Alabama.

Alabama House of Representatives District 97

Yvonne Kennedy (D) died on December 8, 2012. Gov. Robert Bentley (R) scheduled a special election to fill the vacancy, with a primary on February 26, 2013. However, since no Republican candidates filed, the primary becomes the general election. As no candidate took over 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters - Karlos Finley and Adline C. Clarke - will meet in a runoff on April 9.[10][11][12]

Republican Party Republican candidates:
  • None filed
Democratic Party Democratic candidates:
April 9 Runoff Election Candidates
Democratic Party Karlos Finley
Democratic Party Adline C. Clarke

Recent results

April 2, 2013

☑Massachusetts House of Representatives 12th Essex
Just weeks after her re-election, state Rep. Joyce Spiliotis (D) died on November 29, 2012. A special election to fill the seat was held on April 2, with a primary on March 5. Leah Cole defeated Gregory S. Bunn in the Republican primary and will advance to the general election.[13][14][15]

General election candidates:

Democratic Party Beverly A. Griffin Dunne
Republican Party Leah Cole Green check mark transparent.png
Grey.png Dave Gravel

☑Massachusetts House of Representatives 28th Middlesex
State Rep. Stephen Smith (D) resigned on December 31, 2012, after pleading guilty to casting invalid absentee ballots in 2009 and 2010. A special election to fill the seat was held on April 2, with a primary on March 5. Wayne A. Matewsky defeated four others in the Democratic primary and will advance to the general election.[16][17][18]

General election candidates:

Democratic Party Wayne A. Matewsky Green check mark transparent.png
Grey.png Rosa DiFlorio
Grey.png Dennis John Gianatassi

☑RunoffArrow.jpgMississippi House of Representatives District 36
Longtime Rep. David Gibbs (D) died in office on January 13, 2013. A special election to fill the vacancy was held on March 12, 2013. Candidates had until February 11 to file. As no candidate won 50 percent of the vote, the top two vote-getters - Karl Gibbs and Eddie Longstreet - met in a runoff election on April 2. Special elections in Mississippi are nonpartisan.[19][20][21][22]

Independent April 2 runoff candidates:

☑ Missouri House of Representatives District 76
Chris Carter (D) resigned his seat in the Missouri House of Representatives after he was elected to succeed his uncle on the St. Louis board of aldermen. A special election to fill the vacancy was held on April 2.[23][24][25]

General election candidates:
Democratic Party Joshua Peters Green check mark transparent.png

☑ Missouri House of Representatives District 157
Don Ruzicka (R) resigned his seat in the Missouri House of Representatives after he was appointed to the Board of Probation and Parole by Gov. Jay Nixon. A special election to fill the vacancy was held on April 2.[23][26][27]

General election candidates:
Democratic Party Charles Dake
Republican Party Mike Moon Green check mark transparent.png

☑Wisconsin State Assembly District 98
Assemblyman Paul Farrow (R) was the only candidate running in the December 4, 2012 special election for the District 33 seat in the Wisconsin State Senate. Thus, Farrow easily took the seat and resigned his District 98 Assembly seat. A special election to replace him was held on April 2, 2013.[28][29][30][31][32]

General election candidates:
Republican Party Adam Neylon Green check mark transparent.png

Links/References

  1. ↑ nola.com, "Taxes, education and budget will be highlights of crucial session for Gov. Bobby Jindal," April 5, 2013
  2. ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2013," accessed April 8, 2013
  3. ↑ Stateside Associates, " Session Calendar 2013," accessed April 8, 2013
  4. ↑ Los Angeles Times, "Gov. Jerry Brown calls for special session of Legislature on healthcare," January 24, 2013
  5. ↑ Sacramento Business Journal, " Healthcare reform special session starts," January 28, 2013
  6. ↑ 6.0 6.1 State Scape, "Session schedules," accessed April 8, 2013
  7. ↑ trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com, "Texas Congressman Marc Veasey says redistricting tussle could play out over the summer," April 5, 2013
  8. ↑ New Jersey Department of State, "Petition filing instruction sheet," accessed January 14, 2013
  9. ↑ Virginia State Board of Elections, "Candidacy Requirements for House of Delegates," accessed January 16, 2013
  10. ↑ AL.com, "Alabama state House District 97: Adline Clarke will face Karlos Finley in runoff," February 26, 2013
  11. ↑ AL.com, "Gov. Bentley sets special election for House District 97 seat," December 18, 2012
  12. ↑ Alabama Secretary of State, " Certification of candidates for District 97," accessed January 17, 2013
  13. ↑ TheRepublic.com, "Candidates set for special elections to fill 2 vacant Mass. House seats," March 7, 2013
  14. ↑ Peabody Patch, "Special Election to Choose Spiliotis' Successor Unlikely to be Set Until 2013," November 30, 2012
  15. ↑ bostonglobe.com, "Newcomer, political veteran win Mass. House elections," April 3, 2013
  16. ↑ TheRepublic.com, "Candidates set for special elections to fill 2 vacant Mass. House seats," March 7, 2013
  17. ↑ Boston Herald, "Lawmaker in voting scandal quits office," January 1, 2013
  18. ↑ bostonglobe.com, "Newcomer, political veteran win Mass. House elections," April 3, 2013
  19. ↑ The Republic, "Bryant sets March 12 special election for Gibbs' successor in Miss. House, with runoff April 2," January 28, 2013
  20. ↑ Clarion Ledger, "Senate D36 candidates qualified," February 13, 2013
  21. ↑ SunHerald.com, "2 advance to runoff after House special election," March 12, 2013
  22. ↑ therepublic.com, "Karl Gibbs wins runoff in House District 36 to complete later father's term," April 3, 2013
  23. ↑ 23.0 23.1 CBS St. Louis, "Nixon Sets Elections for Vacant Mo. House Seats," January 17, 2013
  24. ↑ sos.mo.gov, "Missouri Secretary of State," accessed April 1, 2013
  25. ↑ wgem.com, "GOPs, Dems hold own in Mo. House elections," April 3, 2013
  26. ↑ KTTS, "Candidates Named In Special House Election," February 6, 2013
  27. ↑ ozarksfirst.com, "Republican Mike Moon Wins Special Election in Lawrence County," April 2, 2013
  28. ↑ Sussex Patch, "Strong Interest in 98th Assembly District Race," November 19, 2012
  29. ↑ FOX6Now, "Gov. Walker calls special election to fill vacancy," December 17, 2012
  30. ↑ Agri-View, "Another election is just around the corner," January 17, 2013
  31. ↑ sussex.patch.com, "Adam Neylon Wins 98th Assembly District Primary," February 19, 2013
  32. ↑ waukesha.patch.com, "Adam Neylon Wins State Assembly Seat," April 2, 2013

Looking ahead

Upcoming special elections include:

  • April 9: Alabama House of Representatives District 97
  • April 16: Mississippi House of Representatives District 11
  • May 7: Alabama House of Representatives District 11
  • May 7: Michigan State Senate District 27
  • May 14: California State Senate District 32

See also

Footnotes

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