Governor Talks Up Fair Congressional Districts, Early Education, Diverse Energy

Several members of the Jefferson Parish Democratic Executive Committee attended the Governor’s Westbank Luncheon Monday, June 13, and heard Gov. John Bel Edwards describe how diversifying our energy production, boosting support for education and creating a second majority-minority congressional district are critically important to Louisiana.

Edwards’ remarks keynoted the luncheon, held at The Four Columns event center in Harvey. Net proceeds went to support Cate Hope, which provides culinary and other skills to at-risk youth.

The governor mostly praised the results of the recent legislative session – increased pay for teachers, more aid to education in general, funding for infrastructure projects, money to pay down state debt, and more.

He said that the increased funding approved for early childhood education can be a game-changer for disadvantaged children – “if we can summon the will to keep this effort going.” He said that “too many kids” fall behind in their skills by third grade, and “it’s really hard to catch them up after that.”

As Louisiana struggles to transition to cleaner energy production, Edwards said the right path forward combines “all of the above – the knowledge and skills developed here {in producing fossil fuels} are transferrable.” He said that “no state in the nation has been more affected by climate change” but added that Louisiana is uniquely positioned to “welcome clean energy investment.” He noted that windmills are taking their places alongside oil rigs, and oil companies are repositioning themselves as “energy companies.”  

His most pointed remarks concerned “simple math and simple fairness” related to creating a second majority-minority congressional district. Black people make up about a third of the population in Louisiana, but legislators this year approved a plan with only one of six districts having a majority black population. Edwards vetoed that, but legislators overrode his veto.

A federal judge has already ruled that the plan violates the federal Voting Rights Act. The case is under appeal, but Edwards said that if Louisiana legislators don’t act to correct this discriminatory imbalance, “it’s pretty clear to me that the courts will do that without us.”