Governor John Bel Edwards of Louisiana can be considered a conservative Democrat. Nevertheless, this week he vetoed legislation that would have protected newborn women’s sports, as reported by Amanda Lindsley of KPLC News. The governor also vetoed a bill that would have allowed residents to carry concealed handguns without firearms training or a state-issued permit, Landon said.
The governor responded to the veto on Twitter, posting the same statement in a press release. “As I have said many times when asked about this bill, discrimination is not a Louisiana value, and this bill was a solution in search of a problem that simply does not exist in Louisiana,” it reads in part.
Governor Edwards’ statement on his veto of Senate Bill 156, which sought to prevent transgender girls and women from participating in girls’ or women’s designated sports teams or events in primary, secondary and post-secondary schools. #łagow #laleg pic.twitter.com/i8UPo5sko4
— John Bel Edwards (@LouisianaGov) June 22, 2021
Additionally, Edwards expressed concerns that the NCAA would penalize the state and prevent the 2022 Final Four from being held in New Orleans. “While this bill does not require resolution of any issues, it creates real problems by increasing the likelihood that NCAA championships and professional championships like the 2022 Final Four will not be held in our state,” the statement also read.
However, as I reported last month:
Earlier this week, the NCAA showed it has no intention of punishing states that have passed laws protecting newborn women from competing in sports with biological men. The three states that will be regional hosts for the postseason softball tournament are Alabama, Arkansas and Tennessee. These states recently passed laws prohibiting transgender athletes from competing against newborn women.
Lindsley also provided an update on how the veto override session will proceed:
House Speaker Clay Schexnayder (R-Gonzales) said he supports a July 20-24 veto override session in an attempt to overturn the governor’s veto of the bill. Under the Louisiana Constitution, a veto session is automatically scheduled when the governor rejects legislation, but the session only happens if a majority of the House and Senate agree.
If a veto session is held, a two-thirds majority of the House and Senate are required to override the governor’s decision.
Sessions’ veto override is also supported by Republican state Attorney General Jeff Landry, as Jarmarlon Thompkins also of KPLC reported:
Passing the Women’s Sports Integrity Act (SB156) was a common sense approach by the Legislature to protecting women. The Governor’s disrespect for women by vetoing this bipartisan bill was both disappointing and irresponsible. With growing support from citizens and legislators across the state, the Louisiana Legislature has the opportunity to correct this mistake. I join my fellow citizens in supporting the Legislature’s duty to protect women and holding a veto session.
However, Governor Edwards is not the only one disappointed with the conservative movement. Governor Mike DeWine (R-OH) also expresses opposition to such legislation. Andrzej J. Tobiasz Cleveland.com reported on Friday about such opposition.
As Governor DeWine said in a brief statement:
This issue is best addressed outside of government through individual sports leagues and athletic associations, including the Ohio High School Athletic Association, who can tailor policies to the needs of their member athletes and member institutions.
The American Principles Project, which tracks such legislation, released a statement from its president, Terry Schilling. The statement, in part, called DeWine’s opposition “nothing less than a cowardly capitulation to the woke left.”
