After three contentious legislative sessions in 2017, lawmakers overwhelmingly voted "no" to the question of convening to override Governor John Bel Edwards's (D-Amite) vetoes. In numbers released last Monday, 37 of 39 Senate members and 82 of 103 House members kept with tradition and canceled the veto session — a tradition that has not been interrupted since the adoption of Louisiana's Constitution in 1974. With the threat of a veto session out of the way, over 200 Louisiana laws went into effect yesterday, August 1. For a full listing of laws from the 2017 Session that have gone into effect, follow this link.

As the October 14 election cycle picks up, several candidates have been disqualified from the running. Opelousas Independent, "Ron" Caesar has been disqualified from his bid for State Treasurer — leaving six people in the race to finish the term of recently elected U.S. Senator John Kennedy (R-Madisonville). This race has just started to heat up after a surprising exit by Kenner Republican State Representative Julie Stokes, a moderate reformer and CPA who chose to end her run for office after a breast cancer diagnosis. As key endorsements begin to be made and fundraising efforts hit full speed, this race is set to dominate much of Louisiana's political discourse over the next few months as Jindal-era budget architect Angele Davis (R-Baton Rouge), banker and State Senator Neil Riser (R-Columbia), and former State Representative and "fiscal hawk" John Schroder (R-Covington) vie for the lead.

Down the ballot, two New Orleans political institutions have held on to their posts after their opponents were disqualified. New Orleans Sheriff Marlin Gusman has joined fellow Democrat Arthur Morrel, the Orleans Parish Criminal Clerk of Court, in winning another term unopposed.

In one of the more interesting races to watch this fall, "El" Anderson (D-New Orleans) has been disqualified from the race for New Orleans Council Member at Large Division 1. With Anderson's exit, three candidates are vying to replace Stacy Head (D-New Orleans). Filmmaker and former Congressional candidate Kenneth Cutno (D-New Orleans) is expected to be a distant third in a race between Democratic State Representatives Joe Bouie and Helena Moreno. Bouie, a Southern University at New Orleans administrator and Head of the Legislative Black Caucus is thought to be neck and neck with Moreno, a former news broadcaster and current Head of the Legislative Women's Caucus. As factions align and endorsements are made, this race is sure to be one to watch. Another candidate for New Orleans council, Democrat Belden Batiste, has been disqualified from the running for the District D seat currently held by candidate Jared Brossett (D-New Orleans)

Leadership in the Legislature has remained status quo over the last few weeks after House Democratic Caucus Chair Gene Reynolds (Minden) agreed to stay on in his post for the time being. Across Memorial Hall, it appears as if Senators are beginning to posture themselves to succeed Senate President John Alario (R-Westwgo) at the beginning of the next term. Alario, a 45 year veteran of the Louisiana Legislature, twice served as Speaker of the House before being elected to the Senate. Rumored to be in the running to replace Alario are sugarcane farmer Bret Allain (R-Franklin), business owner Page Cortez (R-Lafayette), insurance agency owner Ronnie Johns (R-Lake Charles), and attorney Rick Ward (R-Maringouin).

As the fall election cycle picks up and discussions on how to address Louisiana's upcoming fiscal cliff take place, we will keep you updated.