Louisiana lawmaker says constitutional amendment one will increase state spending

SHREVEPORT, La. (KTAL/KMSS)—Election day is March 29 in Louisiana, and voters will decide on several constitutional amendments.

Constitutional amendment one relates to the court system stating,

“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?”

Arguments in favor, including the Public Affairs Research Council of Louisiana, state that the current state constitution is too restrictive and lawmakers should be able to create courts where they see a need.

Arguments against the measure, for example, say it would drive up the costs of the Louisiana court system, which already has more judges per capita than any other state, and the authority to discipline lawyers already lies with the Louisiana Supreme Court.

State Representative Tammy Phelps addressed the amendments and said she does not favor amendment one.

“The argument there is that it costs more to run more courts and more judges. How would the judges be appointed? Why do we need additional courts? So why {not} just leave it as is. We don’t pay indigent defenders enough. So expansion is not what we need when we are reducing revenue in the state,” said Phelps, (D) District 3.

The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry stated on Monday stating that it supports amendment one.

Election day is March 29 in Louisiana. Early voting is March 15 through the 22.