Voters in LaSalle Parish approved the four Constitutional Amendments during the statewide election Saturday, March 29, however, the amendments were defeated statewide by overwhelming numbers.

The only items on the ballot Saturday were the four amendments, addressing changes to the state’s constitution regarding the court system, power of taxation, juvenile crimes and judgeships.

LaSalle Parish had a very low voter turnout Saturday at 16%, even lower than the state average of 21%.

Constitutional Amendment No. 1, which provided for disciplinary proceedings over attorneys and to create courts of limited jurisdiction, passed in LaSalle 862 to 543, or 61% to 39%, respectively.

Statewide, the amendment failed 412,082 to 221,334, or 65% to 35%, respectively.

Constitutional Amendment No. 2, the most controversial of the all four amendments which was broad in context and addressed power of taxation among other issues, passed in LaSalle 785 to 631, or 55% to 45%, respectively.

Statewide, the amendment failed 410,083 to 224,085, or 65% to 35%, respectively.

Constitutional Amendment No. 3, which addressed juvenile crimes including trying juveniles in adult court, passed in LaSalle 802 to 606, or 57% to 43%, respectively.

Statewide, the amendment failed 419,366 to 212,324, or 66% to 34%, respectively.

Constitutional Amendment No. 4, which provided for newly created judgeships or vacancies in office of judges, passed in LaSalle 859 to 539, or 61% to 39%, respectively.

Statewide, the amendment failed 401,499 to 229,597, or 64% to 36%, respectively.

All three of LaSalle’s state legislators supported the amendments after voting for them during a legislative session last year.

District 22 State Representative Gabe Firment took to social media Sunday afternoon, expressing his disappointment in the amendments failing but praised Grant and LaSalle parishes for their support.

He said that after a time of reflection, he understood why the amendments failed.

“Constitutional Amendment No. 2 failed because the people of this state did not trust what they were hearing from Baton Rouge,” he stated. “And that’s fair, I get it, given the history of this state.”

Firment had previously noted that opponents of the amendments, specifically CA No. 2, were conducting a fierce campaign to help it get defeated. He pointed out that the movement was from liberal attorneys who did not want to see the state progress as part of Governor Jeff Landry’s change initiatives.

Gov. Landry also made a similar statement Saturday night following the results of the election, saying the amendments failure was the result of far-left liberals.

Here is the Governor’s complete statement released Saturday night:

“Amendment 2 was a chance to permanently lower the maximum state income tax rate, double the tax deductions for residents over the age of 65, create a government growth limit, provide a permanent pay raise for teachers and school staff, maintain the homestead exemption and protect religious organizations, keep more tax dollars in local communities, allow for the elimination of inventory tax, and protect against special interest tax breaks.

The primary goal of Amendment 2 was to create a better opportunity for our citizens. To work towards inviting people into our State rather than have them leave. Unfortunately, Soros and far left liberals poured millions into Louisiana with propaganda and outright lies about Amendment 2.

Although we are disappointed in tonight’s results, we do not see this as a failure. We realize how hard positive change can be to implement in a State that is conditioned for failure. We will continue working to give our citizens more opportunities to keep more of their hard-earned money and provide a better future for Louisianians. This is not the end for us, and we will continue to fight to make the generational changes for Louisiana to succeed.”