It is obvious to all of those who support Louisiana’s reform movement, our new reform Governor, and our new reform legislators, that the Louisiana Reform Movement is reaching critical political mass to really change this State.  It is equally obvious that the supporters of the old ways, including the old Courthouse Gang, the old-time Political Big-Wigs, and the Bureaucratic Big-Spenders, one and all, know that their days are numbered if things don’t change.  And what is the old-timers’ newest proposal to stop the Louisiana Reform Movement?   A full-fledged, wide open, Constitutional Convention.  

Let it be clearly understood that the calling of a Constitutional Convention is a well thought-out political maneuver of the Good Ole Boys.  This is the last gasp of the leaders of the now defeated, big-government, populist, plantation politics of yesterday.  The calling of a Constitutional Convention will allow these discredited leaders of yesterday to modify the constitution to grab more money from the voters of Louisiana. 

Let everyone in this State know that a Constitutional Convention is a direct threat to our infant Reform Movement and is absolutely unnecessary.  If there are real reforms that need to be made to the Louisiana Constitution it already provides a direct way to make substantial governmental reforms in a single package, without a Constitutional Convention.  Article XIII, Section 1.B. of the existing Constitution provides that ". . . the legislature may propose, as one amendment, a revision of an entire article of this constitution which may contain multiple objects or changes. A section or other subdivision may be repealed by reference."

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Stated simply, if Louisiana needs to change its constitutional tax structure, then we need simply draft the desired, comprehensive amendment to the tax article in the Louisiana Constitution, and present it for public scrutiny.  With the “Article Revision” procedure, the amendment is filed before the legislature starts, giving the citizens advance notice of the proposed amendments, the amendment is explained and debated in the legislative process, and ultimately the amendment is submitted to the public for its approval.  No simpler, transparent and democratic process could be developed.  The “Article Revision” procedure allows anyone, and particularly any Governor or legislator, who wishes to amend the Constitution to draft the needed changes, and file them publicly, so the public will know what the Amendment will accomplish. 

The “Article Revision” process is not a new or unknown process.  It was discussed in "Louisiana's Governmental Cesspool: THE CONSTITUTIONAL SOLUTIONS" authored by me several years ago, and the constitutional articles cited in that book.  The “Article Revision” amendment procedure canl serve Louisiana well.   Let this Louisiana political truth of 2009 be declared to one and all. 

Advocates of a Constitutional Convention in Louisiana will open many possibilities detrimental to the State, such as;  (1) eliminate the public’s dedications on spending that direct the purpose of many of our existing taxes, (2) increase the taxing authority of government generally as to sales taxes, property taxes and income taxes, and (3) totally repeal the homestead exemption and other exemptions and restraints on government raising taxes.  The end result would be to increase the taxes flowing into the unrestrained General Fund of the State of Louisiana. 

If our Good Ole Boys will not draft their proposals and disclose their proposed amendments to public for thorough scrutiny and debate, then we must deny them the unrestrained power of a Constitutional Convention, where their drafting is unrestrained and bargained behind closed doors.  If an amendment to the Louisiana Constitution is “needed,” then, draft it and disclose it in public through the “Article Revision” procedure that exists today.  As to a Constitutional Convention, just say “No!” 

This article was written by Paul L. Hurd, Attorney at Law, and author of  "Louisiana's Governmental Cesspool: THE CONSTITUTIONAL SOLUTIONS" (Authorhouse; Bloomington, Indiana; .