Lawmakers Begin Debate on Governor’s Emergency Powers

State Representative Mark Wright from Covington spoke to the House and Governmental Affairs Committee as they begin the process of taking on the powers of Gov Edwards during an emergency. Lawmakers debated ideas Wednesday that would allow them to throw out or change certain rules Governor John Bel Edwards has put in place to help mitigate the coronavirus’ spread. Republicans argue the governor should not have “unrestricted and unbridled” authority to create and enforce laws on his own during a public health emergency. Democrats and the governor insist that adding a step in the emergency process would create an opportunity for a stalemate that could prevent the state from getting timely federal assistance.