Girls’ sports are at risk in Louisiana. For weeks, Louisiana’s student athletes and concerned citizens have anxiously anticipated the decision of Governor John Bel Edwards on the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, sponsored by Senator Beth Mizell.
SB 156, the Fairness in Women’s Sports Act, passed the Senate by a vote of 29-6 and the House by a vote of 78-17.
Sadly, Gov. Edwards chose D.C. politics over Louisiana values and vetoed the bill.
But there is hope!
The Louisiana Constitution provides for the legislature to consider a governor’s veto and to decide whether to override. Once a legislative session has concluded, a veto override session is automatically scheduled. However, a majority of lawmakers in either house, polled by a mail-in ballot, can elect to cancel the override session. This essentially means that twenty senators and fifty-three representatives must agree to hold the session.
Family Policy Alliance joins our friends at Louisiana Family Forum in respectfully urging legislators to exercise their constitutional right and responsibility to review the Governor’s veto. There is a short window of opportunity to do this, so time is of the essence!
What can you do to help?
Go to our Action Center to tell Louisiana legislators why they should override the Governor’s veto on SB 156. Louisiana women and female athletes deserve a fair playing field and legal protections in competitive sports!
Thank you for doing your part to protect girls’ sports in Louisiana!
Nicole Hudgens
Government Affairs