GOP group seeks better attendance

• By MARSHA SHULER
• Capitol news bureau
• Published: Nov 8, 2009

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The Louisiana Republican State Central Committee decided Saturday to try to prompt resignation of its members who don’t show up to conduct party business.

The 235-seat committee, elected by GOP voters every four years, has been struggling to obtain quorums for its quarterly meetings.

The State Central Committee, without objection, adopted a resolution calling on the executive committee of the party  to request in writing the resignation of  members who do not meet certain attendance requirements.

The resignation requests would go to those who have been absent for either three consecutive meetings or in excess of six meetings during their four-year term of office.

“I want to encourage attendance, not punish anybody,” said committee member Mike Bayham of St. Bernard Parish, the resolution’s sponsor.

Bayham said too many people are using proxies and not participating in person.

Committee member John Treen of Jefferson Parish said the members should be reminded that they were elected to represent constituents. If they no longer want to participate, the spots should be freed up for those party faithful who want to serve, Treen said.

On Saturday,  members representing 103 of 227 filled State Central Committee seats were present. There were another 13 proxies, which helped make the quorum, which is figured-based on filled seats.

Bayham submitted the resolution as an alternative to a proposed bylaw change that would have established party procedures for ouster of State Central Committee members.

Since members are elected, Bayham said, the body would have no legal grounds for removing them from office over the attendance issue.

In other action, the committee approved a series of resolutions, including one urging Louisiana’s two U.S. senators to oppose “cap and trade” legislation which it deemed harmful to the state and national energy industry.

Another successful resolution urged the state health agency to require accurate reporting by people who perform abortions in Louisiana.

The only resolution prompting debate involves one calling upon Republican members of Congress to block funding for enforcement of the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s ban on the sale of “untreated” raw oysters between the months of April and October.