Josh Goodman is a former staff writer for GOVERNING..
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Louisiana Legislature: A Job That Shouldn't Be Outsourced
The most basic job of state legislators is to vote on bills and resolutions, right? Not in Louisiana, as John Maginnis points out in his subscription-only LaPolitics Weekly: Senators might pay more attention to resolutions routinely passed without debate or dissent now that they have unanimously commended the abortion-rights group Planned Parenthood. Senators recognized May 13 as Planned Parenthood Day while recognizing the group as "a visible and passionate advocate for policies that enable Americans to access comprehensive sexual and reproductive health care."
The concurrent resolution by Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, passed 35-0, with many machines being voted by aides because not all senators were at their desks at the start of the legislative day.
It wasn't long before some conservative pro-life senators realized what they had done, or the aides did for them. One senator was notified in a phone call from his wife, asking for an explanation.
The concurrent resolution by Sen. Lydia Jackson, D-Shreveport, passed 35-0, with many machines being voted by aides because not all senators were at their desks at the start of the legislative day.
It wasn't long before some conservative pro-life senators realized what they had done, or the aides did for them. One senator was notified in a phone call from his wife, asking for an explanation.
We've seen this sort of funny business before in Texas.
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