LAGOP Endorses Constitutional Amendments

The Republican Party of Louisiana has endorsed the following constitutional amendments for the March 29th election:

Amendment 1: Out-of-State Lawyer Discipline/Specialty Courts
A vote for allows the Louisiana Supreme Court to discipline out-of-state lawyers for unethical legal practices committed in this state, and additionally allows the Legislature to establish trial courts with limited or specialized jurisdiction with a 2/3 vote. 

Amendment 2: Tax Reform/Budget
A vote for enacts substantial revisions to the tax and budget sections of Louisiana's Constitution including decreasing the maximum income tax rate to 3.75%, establishing an additional tax deduction for citizens over age 65, creating a new limit on government spending, eliminating several state savings accounts and funding a permanent teacher salary increase through payment of state retirement debt. The amendment also provides optional local property tax exemptions for certain business inventory while retaining the homestead exemption, the special assessment level which prohibits increases in the assessed value of property owned by certain qualified property owners and exemptions for certain disabled veterans and religious organizations. 

Amendment 3: Juvenile Crime
A vote for allows the Legislature to determine which felony crimes result in a juvenile being tried as an adult.

Amendment 4: Judicial Elections
A vote for requires using the earliest election date available to fill a judicial vacancy.