Hall of Fame New York Yankee manager Yogi Berra famously quipped, “It ain’t over till it’s over.” That’s certainly true of baseball, but it’s also true of politics — including (especially nowadays) the machinations of Louisiana legislative sessions.

The Republican-dominated Legislature convened a historic, first-ever veto session on July 20 in high hopes of overriding several of Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards’ vetoes following the annual session’s adjournment. In particular, they set their sights on reversing the governor’s rejection of an anti-transgender bill and a so-called “constitutional carry” bill.

Both measures are part of the national GOP’s latest line of red-meat fundraising schemes. They excite the party’s hardline conservative base and force moderate Republicans to cast difficult votes on divisive issues (see our commentary). In fairness, they also stir liberal Democrats into fundraising overdrive.

At the close of my recap of the annual session last month, I predicted that the carnage wasn’t over yet. I had listed Edwards among the Loozas, but noted, “If he vetoes some of the controversial bills enacted by the GOP majority in the final days, will they convene a veto override session? And if they do, will they succeed? On that front he could yet become a Winna…”

+13

Clancy DuBos: Calling Da Winnas & Da Loozas of the 2021 legislative session

The final days of a Louisiana legislative session are always filled with political intrigue and hijinks. Last-minute deal-making on important …

Lo and behold, Edwards has done exactly that. He played his hand skillfully, while his GOP adversaries overplayed their hand.

Several others on my initial list of Winnas and Loozas moved from one side of that ledger to the other as a result of the veto session. Which brings us to my own first-ever overtime edition of Da Winnas and Da Loozas, starting with …

DA WINNAS

1. Gov. John Bel Edwards — The governor always held the high moral and legal side of the argument on both bills that the GOP targeted for override. In the end, he also held the high political ground. He called the anti-transgender bill, which sought to prohibit trans women and girls from playing on female athletic teams, discriminatory and very likely unconstitutional. In opposing the “constitutional carry” measure, which would have allowed almost anyone to carry a concealed firearm with no training or permit, he noted that 80% of Louisiana voters favored keeping the present requirement for concealed carry permits and training. He also marshaled some of his longtime allies in law enforcement to step forward and speak out against the bill. The state Senate voted (along party lines and with no votes to spare) to override him on the anti-trans bill, then failed to override his vetoes of other Senate bills. The next day, when the House fell two votes short of overriding Edwards on the anti-trans bill, his GOP foes threw in the towel. Advantage Edwards.

2. The Legislative Black Caucus — All Senate Dems voted to sustain the governor’s vetoes, including some who initially voted for the two targeted bills, and all but one House Dem followed suit. That was a remarkable — and highly effective — display of party unity, but it was the Black Caucus that led the way.

3. The Transgender Community — This is another initial Looza that wound up winning big. Particular credit goes to activist Dylan Waguespack of True Colors United, who stood tall and spoke loudly and effectively in educating citizens and prodding lawmakers to sustain Edwards’ veto of the anti-trans bill. 

4. New Orleans Business and Hospitality Leaders — They took painfully long to coalesce around a message, but ultimately local business and hospitality leaders effectively warned lawmakers and the public about the dire economic consequences that would befall the city and state if the anti-trans bill became law. Which brings us to …

DA LOOZAS   

1. House Speaker Clay Schexnayder — The overtime period cost Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, his initial “Winna” laurels. He was first out of the gate to call for a veto session and exuded confidence that the Lower Chamber would override, even though the GOP is two votes shy of a super-majority there. A more experienced politician would know that one underestimates a governor at one’s own peril. Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, kept his cards close to the vest, and looks a lot stronger for at least seeing the Upper Chamber vote to override the anti-trans bill. Schexnayder promised to try again next year, but, as in baseball, that’s what every coach says when his team loses the World Series. A year later, nobody remembers the runner-up.

2. Family Forum — Rev. Gene Mills’ conservative Christian lobby is normally one of the strongest forces in the Legislature, and he went all-in for overriding Edwards’ veto of the anti-trans bill. Along with Schexnayder, he fell short in the House. It was a close vote, but an inch is as good as a mile when you miss.

3. The NRA — Full disclosure: I’m an avid outdoorsman and hunter, but like responsible gun owners everywhere, I can’t understand why anyone in his or her right mind would want to let every knucklehead with an attitude and anger management issues carry concealed firearms without a permit and training. Then again, the NRA doesn’t really care about safety, it cares about sales — as in firearms sales. Fortunately for law enforcement and innocent bystanders, enough lawmakers weren’t buying an override of Edwards’ veto of the so-called “constitutional carry” bill.

4. LABI — The Louisiana Association of Business and Industry was the biggest Winna after the annual session, but it literally sat on its hands and did nothing to oppose the anti-trans bill while the New Orleans business community carried the tiki torch (to use a metaphor favored by LABI prez Stephen Waguespack) against the measure. That was a shameful display of spinelessness on LABI’s part, particularly when the potential adverse economic fallout from the bill was so apparent. Leaders lead not just when it’s convenient; they stand tallest when it’s difficult.

Till next year, the 2021 annual lege session is finally over.

Wanna Learn More about Local and State Politics?

Anyone interested in learning the ins and outs of local and state politics — from campaigns and elections to the sausage-making of governance — is invited to apply for membership in the 2021-22 class of the Loyola Institute of Politics. For half a century, the IOP has trained budding politicos and political aficionados in the fine (and sometimes dark) arts of successful campaigning and governing. Classes meet weekly beginning in the fall and continue into the spring. For more info and to apply, go to loyno.edu/iop. The deadline for applications is Aug. 9.