Louisiana Baptists can help sway Louisiana legislators’ choice of a new leader.
On Monday, January 11, the Louisiana House of Representatives will select a new Speaker and the outcome will have a dramatic impact on the influence of Christian vision and values in the public policy adopted by the state legislature.
Among other duties, the Speaker assigns members to committees, whether proposed legislation will be handled by a hostile or favorable committee, and determines which bills will even be considered — essentially the Speaker sets the legislative process and so largely decides which proposed policies succeed or fail.
According to pro-family and pro-life advocacy groups, the two leading candidates have dramatically different records on issues relating to the traditional family and the rights of the unborn. Consequently, the new Speaker largely will influence the outcomes of moral and social concerns pursued by Louisiana Baptists.
The Louisiana Family Forum reports Rep. Cameron Henry has a record of supporting traditional family values 93 percent of the time and the Louisiana Right to Life Federation gives him a score of 100 percent on pro-life issues.
Meanwhile, Rep. Walt Leger III earned a score of 44 percent from the Louisiana Family Forum and 65 percent from the Louisiana Right to Life Federation.
Moreover, Dr. Gene Mills, director of the Louisiana Family Forum, says Leger’s low scores are not “the whole story.”
According to Mills, Leger “strategically opted to abstain in 9 out of the last 15 major pro-life votes” while at the same time making the effort to vote “for government-funded abortions (Amendment 87A of HB 1247 (2010)), against defunding Planned Parenthood (HCR 11, (2012); HCR 54 (2011)), and against conscience protections for health care providers who wish to opt out of participating in abortion procedures (HB 517 (2009)).”
Mills also noted Leger voted for voluntary sex education for third graders (HB 359 (2015)).
There are 14 legislators who have not yet publicly declared their support for either Henry or Leger, and their ballots likely will swing the vote for Speaker:
District 12 – Ruston
Rob Shadoin, (318) 548-5485
District 13 – Jonesboro
Jack McFarland, (318) 471-6424
District 19 – Rayville
Charles “Bubba” Chaney, (318) 334-1672
District 27 – Pineville
“Chris” Hazel, (318) 229-1660
District 35 – Lake Charles
Steven Dwight, (337) 304-0781
District 36 – Lake Charles
Marc Abraham, (337) 274-8015
District 37 – Jennings
John E. Guinn, (337) 246-0021
District 46 – Breaux Bridge
Mike Huval, (337) 278-1539
District 52 – Houma
Zee Zeringue, (985) 709-1099
District 53 – Houma
Tanner Magee, (225) 287-2397
District 68 – Baton Rouge
“Steve” Carter, (225) 226-2470
District 71 – Denham Springs
Rogers Pope, (225) 572-8996
District 77 – Covington
John Schroder, (985) 373-4873
District 94 – New Orleans/Jefferson
Stephanie Hilferty, (504) 450-2318
If your representative is listed, contact him or her and share how you would like to be represented in this very important matter.
The vote could very well be determined by your phone call.
For additional information about this issue or about Louisiana Baptists’ stated beliefs and public policy positions, contact Dr. Will Hall at the Louisiana Baptists Office of Public Affairs, (615) 449-4348.
