Explainer: What is the constitutional amendment 2?

LOUISIANA (KTAL/KMSS)—Louisiana, the fight is not over yet. On March 29, the state will vote on four constitutional amendments, including changing the state’s taxation power, trialing juveniles as adults, and more. Here’s what you need to know to make your voice heard at the polls.

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 2

Proposed amendment 2 focuses on changing the revenue and finances of the state of Louisiana, including:

• potentially lowering the maximum income tax rate (higher earners would pay less tax);
• spending limit to essential services such as education and healthcare,
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• affecting property tax assessments, and more.

The Power Coalition says it could allow cities and parishes to levy their own taxes on income, inheritance, and fuel—something they aren’t currently allowed to do.

It underscores adjusting the interim emergency board, state bond commission, and fund handling. This includes provisions regarding how revenue is managed, appropriated, and invested, affecting education, health, and conservation funds.

‘Do you support an amendment to revise Article VII of the Constitution of Louisiana, including revisions to lower the maximum rate of income tax, increase income tax deductions for citizens over sixty-five, provide for a government growth limit, modify operation of certain constitutional funds, provide for property tax exemptions retaining the homestead exemption and exemption for religious organizations, provide a permanent teacher salary increase by requiring a surplus payment to teacher retirement debt, and make other modifications? (Amends Article VII, Sections 1 through 28; Adds Article VII, Sections 29 through 42)

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 1

This proposed constitution proposes that the Louisiana Supreme Court could create specialized trial courts and give the Supreme Court the authority to discipline all out-of-state lawyers.

A vote no would allow the Louisiana Supreme Court to discipline only lawyers who are members of the Louisiana Bar. Out-of-state lawyers would not fall under their authority.

‘Do you support an amendment granting the Louisiana Supreme Court jurisdiction to discipline out-of-state lawyers for unethical legal practices in the state of Louisiana, and to grant the legislature the authority to establish trial courts of limited and specialized jurisdiction? (Amends Article V, Sections 5(B), 15(A) and 16(A))‘

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 3

Amendment 3’s proposed change allows lawmakers to decide which crimes juveniles can be tried as adults for. In the present constitution, crimes such as 1st or 2nd-degree murder, manslaughter, aggravated rape, or armed robbery would be removed, giving the lawmaker the decision to decide if a minor is to be tried as an adult.

Do you support an amendment to provide the legislature the authority to determine which felony crimes, when committed by a person under the age of seventeen, may be transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult? (Amends Article V, Section 19)

Proposed Constitutional Amendment 4

Amendment 4 proposes filling the judge’s vacancies as soon as possible, at the earliest date state law allows. If a major congressional or gubernatorial election is within 12 months of the date of the vacancy, then a special election shall be held to fill said vacancy.

Do you support an amendment to provide for the use of the earliest election date to fill judicial
vacancies? (Amends Article V, Section 22(B)