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Louisiana to Merge Orleans Court Clerks
Supporters say the merger will save the state millions and align Orleans Parish with other Louisiana parishes, while critics say it targets Duncan.
- On Thursday, the Louisiana House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 256 by a 63-28 vote, consolidating the Orleans Parish Criminal and Civil Court clerks' offices into one position.
- Sponsored by State Sen. Jay Morris and backed by Louisiana Gov. Jeff Landry, the bill effectively eliminates the Criminal Clerk position to which Calvin Duncan was elected last November.
- State Democrats argued the bill subverts the will of 38,000 voters and crosses a "constitutional line," with Rep. Candace Newell warning, "Today they're coming for this right, tomorrow they're coming for yours."
- The Senate will review the bill with amendments before it reaches Landry, who has pledged to sign the legislation into law before Duncan takes office on May 4.
- Proponents claim the consolidation "right-sizes" the Orleans Parish court system to save millions, while critics characterize the measures as an effort by outside policymakers to seize local control.
20 Articles
20 Articles
This Week in Louisiana Politics: Democratic Senate candidates debate, Calvin Duncan, and leaders react to Shreveport shooting
Three Democrats are running for the U.S. Senate in Louisiana, and the candidates discussed their stances on the economy, cost of living, and leadership in a debate at Southern University in Baton Rouge, while other state news includes an appeal over a mail-in abortion drug rule, a bill that could eliminate a newly sworn-in New Orleans criminal clerk-elect's position, and support for Shreveport after a tragedy.
Louisiana GOP Passes Bill Eliminating Calvin Duncan’s Office
Source: Calvin Duncan / other On Thursday, the GOP-led Louisiana Senate passed a bill eliminating the office that Calvin Duncan, a man who was exonerated after being imprisoned for decades, was elected to hold last November. According to the Louisiana Illuminator, the state House of Representatives approved Senate Bill 256 by a vote of 63 to 28. The bill consolidates the Orleans Parish Criminal and Civil Court clerks’ offices, which would elimi…
Louisiana Illuminator
WBRZLegislature passes plan to consolidate Orleans Parish court clerk offices after heated debate
Proposed state legislation would eliminate the position of Orleans Parish clerk of criminal court, which Calvin Duncan won in an election last year. (Photo by Gus Bennett/The Lens)The Louisiana House voted 63-28 Thursday to eliminate the New Orleans clerk of criminal court position, a move that would prevent newly elected clerk Calvin Duncan from serving his term. Duncan, who was sworn in Wednesday after winning 68% of the vote in a November el…
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