La. House Continuing Debate On New Redistricting Plan

Debate continues on the House Floor today on a new redistricting plan for its 105 members. An amendment was approved during debate yesterday that will reduce the number of minority districts from 30 to 29.
Shreveport Representative Barbara Norton says U.S. Census figures do not support an additional black district in Caddo Parish.

Baton Rouge Representative and chairman of the legislative black caucus, Patricia Smith, says a fourth minority district IS needed to assure federal justice department approval of the redrawn district lines.

The House also approved an amendment that calls for three legislative districts in Rapides Parish. The plan approved by the House Governmental Affairs Committee called for Rapides to be split among four representatives. Ball Representative Chris Hazel spoke in favor of the change.

An amendment that was rejected would have put Plaquemines Parish in one district. House Speaker Jim Tucker argued against it. Belle Chasse Representative Ernest Wooten authored the amendment.
(The amendment failed on a 20-78 vote.)