Voters approve 3 of 7 amendments

• By MICHELLE MILLHOLLON
• Advocate Capitol News Bureau
• Published: Nov 5, 2008 - Page: 4A - UPDATED: 1:15 a.m.

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Voters appeared to embrace three of seven constitutional amendments Tuesday, including term limits for many of the governor’s appointees to boards and commissions.

The amendments this year were largely technical changes that generated little buzz, even in political circles.

With 3,930 of 3,956 precincts reporting, Amendment 1 polled 1,101,783 votes for and 487,196 votes against. It would limit members of several important boards and commissions to three consecutive terms. After serving more than two and a half terms, a member would have to sit out for two years before serving on a board or commission.

The new term limits would apply to the Public Service Commission, State Board of Elementary and Secondary Education, Board of Regents, University of Louisiana System Board of Supervisors, LSU System Board of Supervisors, Southern University Board of Supervisors, Louisiana Community and Technical College System Board of Supervisors, Forestry Commission, State Civil Service Commission and State Police Commission.

Amendment 2 polled 929,052 votes for and 627,540 votes against with most precincts reporting. With this change, the governor or the Legislature would have to give seven calendar days’ notice when calling a special session. Currently, the window is five days’ notice.

Amendment 3 had 957,165 votes for and 594,401 votes against. It would allow legislative leaders to name a substitute for a lawmaker who is called to active duty for at least six months.

The substitute would be drawn from a list submitted by the affected legislator and could not be an immediate family member.

Amendment 4 drew 689,145 votes for and 853,872 votes against. Thirty parishes — including East Baton Rouge — would receive more of the money they generate in severance taxes on natural resources.

The amendment would raise the cap on the amount of severance tax revenue a parish can receive. The cap currently is $850,000. It would increase to $1.85 million the first year and $2.85 million in the years after that.

The cap is applied to 20 percent of the severance tax revenue generated in a particular parish.

At least half of the additional revenue would have to be used for road projects.

Amendment 5 polled 760,644 votes for and 761,861 votes against.

The state freezes property tax assessments for certain homeowners who are 65 or older, disabled or a military widow as long as they do not make more than $64,000 a year.