Reps Crews, Seabaugh On Special Session Breakdown

State Representatives Raymond Crews and Alan Seabaugh talks with 101.7 / 710 KEEL's Robert J Wright and Erin McCarty about the current special session of the Louisiana legislature, including news of a breakdown in negotiations between the Governor and members of both parties.

Wednesday night, Seabaugh had posted on social media:

"The special session is crashing with nothing likely to pass. After initially agreeing to a compromise, including some budget and Medicaid reforms, the Democrats went back on their word and said that unless Republicans agree to pass $994 million in new and increased taxes, they would vote against everything. Republicans said, 'No deal!'"

Both legislators told KEEL listeners that there also seemed to be a "communications breakdown" between Governor Edwards and legislators in his own party. Crews thinks that the Governor was attempting to broker a behind-the-scenes deal with moderate Republicans using the votes of Dem lawmakers that he really didn't have.