Nov 5, 2024 Constitutional Amendment

 

Source: Public Domain

I'm writing this on the eve of the 2024 Election day, in which the United States will be electing the following across the nation:

• 1 President/Vice President
• 34 US Senators
• 435 US Representatives
• 11 Governors
• 9 Lt. Governors
• 7 Secretaries of State
• 10 Attorneys General
• 85 State Legislatures across 44 states
• 304 Local and State Judicial seats
• 147 Ballot Initiatives across 41 states
  (SOURCE: Ballotpedia)

There's a LOT of important things on the ballot on Tuesday, including one Constitutional Amendment in Louisiana that will be on ballots across the state. Over the years I have attempted to provide a layman's guide to the amendments, because they can be difficult to understand, since they are written by lawyers to be factual, precise, and enforceable. Unfortunately, sometimes that means that us NON-lawyers aren't sure what a yes and a no means when we vote for them. That's where this little guide comes in.

I'll tell you up front that I base a lot of my research on the excellent "PAR Guide to the 2024 Constitutional Amendments" put out by the non-partisan Public Affairs Research organization, an independent nonprofit research organization. But I also have spoken with  such experts as John Sabo, an expert in Coastal Erosion, and David Carmadelle, the Mayor of Grand Isle, LA for almost 30 years, who has been very effective in protecting that unique barrier island from washing away into the sea.

After reading all the material I could find and talking with the experts, I still don't have a recommendation to make for you. However, I'm going to try to explain it as best as I can, so I'll start with just quoting what will be on the ballot:

• Constitutional Amendment 1:  "Do you support an amendment to require that federal revenues received by the state generated from Outer Continental Shelf alternative or renewable energy production be deposited into the Coastal Protection and Restoration Fund?"

So what does that mean? First a little history. Most folks understand that Louisiana is loosing its coast at an alarming rate. Since the 1930's, Louisiana has lost almost 2,000 square miles of land, and is expected to lose another 3,000 square miles over the next 50 years. (Source) One reason is the levees that were built to prevent the Mississippi River from flooding neighboring communities is no longer allowed to spread through the delta, distributing silt and replenishing the marshes and swamps. Another reason is the man-made canals and dredging that crisscrosses the swamps, making them vulnerable to erosion. All of this contributes to increased flooding, greater damage from hurricanes, loss of habitat for millions of migratory birds and wildlife, and an impact on ports and water commerce creating an additional economic strain on Louisiana.

Thankfully a lot of work has been done in the past decade to mitigate the damage. The majority of the funding has come from a settlement with BP after the Deepwater Horizon oil spill in 2010. Louisiana received billions of dollars to use in restoration and improvement projects across the coast. However, that money is running out. Which leads to this constitutional amendment.

Technology has identified the Outer Continental Shelf as having great potential for renewable energy production, including solar, wind, tidal, wave, and geothermal energy. Companies that gain the valuable contracts will be paying new taxes to both the Federal government and the states that border the Gulf of Mexico. This constitutional amendment directs how that money would be spent in Louisiana. And here's how your vote would affect that money:

• A vote FOR the amendment would mean that the new revenues from these alternative energy technologies (think offshore windmills, etc) could ONLY be used for coast restoration.
• A vote AGAINST the amendment would mean that the new revenues would go into the General Fund and be used however the Legislature sees fit.

There are two schools of thought. 

• One says that we already restrict the Legislature too much when it comes to spending and the only things they can cut in times of economic downturn are healthcare and education. Those who feel this way would vote AGAINST the amendment.
• The other school of thought is that coastal erosion is such an important issue, and the BP money is about to run out, so this is an opportunity to capture a NEW source of revenue and dedicate it to coastal restoration. Those who feel this way would vote FOR the amendment.

I know that's a lot of words and a very long explanation. But it's necessary to explain the backstory so that you'll know what you're voting for. This is one of those years where I'm not making a recommendation. I could probably argue for both sides of the issue because I believe there is validity to both sides. Hopefully my explanation does not reveal my perspective and only informs your decision, based on your perspective, or school of thought. But whichever way you choose to vote - please VOTE!!!

You can get details on all the items that will be on your ballot at the LA Secretary of State's website or by going to http://GeauxVote.com.