State Lawmakes Propose Quirky Bills
By: Brittney Johnson
Updated: March 29, 2010
As the Governor opened the 2010 legislative session, ULM professor Dr. John Sutherlin looked over the bills lawmakers will soon face.
Dr.John Sutherlin said, "Of the 1900 we have there is always a handful that stick out that are kind of on the fringe of what you think our legislature should be doing in baton rouge, clearly dealing with the state cookie."
If passed, Senate Bill 250 would make the tea cake Louisiana's state cookie.
Resident Monica Harris said, "Fine with me I like tea cakes."
Resident George Camp said, "I think the state cookie should be an oatmeal cookie."
Dr. Sutherlin said, "At some point it becomes comical what are the merits of whether or not something deserves to be the state cookie. Granted I love teacakes, I lost out, I was lobbying for the biscotti."
If tea cakes don't strike your fancy, what about sagging pants? House Bill 103 would make it illegal to wear low-riding pants that expose your underwear.
Camp said, "I think that should be addressed at the home, I don't think government should be involved with that."
Harris said, "I think it should be illegal cause people should be more modest."
Dr. Sutherlin says its not that these bills on issues aren't relevant, they just take time away from other issues.
Dr. Sutherlin said, "Even if its just something of just going through the motions of ultimately passing, its an expenditure of time."
Time he says could be spent debating state budget cuts, laws that would change ethics rules or place age limits on people running for public office. House bill 470 would prohibit someone 70 years or older from running for an elected position.
On this, even our mini-poll was divided.
Camp said, "I believe when people are 70 they ought to be out fishing, retired, playing golf."
Harris said, "I think they should because they could bring wisdom to the office."
Dr.John Sutherlin said, "Of the 1900 we have there is always a handful that stick out that are kind of on the fringe of what you think our legislature should be doing in baton rouge, clearly dealing with the state cookie."
If passed, Senate Bill 250 would make the tea cake Louisiana's state cookie.
Resident Monica Harris said, "Fine with me I like tea cakes."
Resident George Camp said, "I think the state cookie should be an oatmeal cookie."
Dr. Sutherlin said, "At some point it becomes comical what are the merits of whether or not something deserves to be the state cookie. Granted I love teacakes, I lost out, I was lobbying for the biscotti."
If tea cakes don't strike your fancy, what about sagging pants? House Bill 103 would make it illegal to wear low-riding pants that expose your underwear.
Camp said, "I think that should be addressed at the home, I don't think government should be involved with that."
Harris said, "I think it should be illegal cause people should be more modest."
Dr. Sutherlin says its not that these bills on issues aren't relevant, they just take time away from other issues.
Dr. Sutherlin said, "Even if its just something of just going through the motions of ultimately passing, its an expenditure of time."
Time he says could be spent debating state budget cuts, laws that would change ethics rules or place age limits on people running for public office. House bill 470 would prohibit someone 70 years or older from running for an elected position.
On this, even our mini-poll was divided.
Camp said, "I believe when people are 70 they ought to be out fishing, retired, playing golf."
Harris said, "I think they should because they could bring wisdom to the office."
