Senator-Elect Perry To Be Sworn IN

Abbeville Republican state Senator-elect Jonathan Perry will be sworn in
this morning--meaning the GOP will have its first Senate majority since
Reconstruction. How may this effect the coming legislative session? U.L.
Lafayette political science professor Pearson Cross says there will be
almost certain signs that democrats hold less sway.  Perry was elected last month to the District 26 state Senate seat; left vacant when Troy Hebert resigned to become the state's new Alcohol &
Tobacco Commissioner. He leaves a state House that is already under a GOP majority. Dr. Cross says that won't necessarily affect fiscal policies.  Dr. Cross says, a few bills that have met heavy Democrat opposition in the past may be able to sail through to passage this year. He says the
Democratic Senate President, Joel Chaisson, has Governor Jindal's support, so his position is likely safe...for now.