The Greater Lafayette Chamber of Commerce thanks Acadiana lawmakers, especially Lafayette area Representatives Nancy Landry and Taylor Barras, for their staunch support for the Chamber's position in the congressional remap process by the Louisiana Legislature. The Chamber urged the legislature to maintain Lafayette and Lake Charles in the same congressional district. Representatives Landry and Barras serve on the House Governmental Affairs Committee which is responsible for drawing up the congressional districts.
Although the Lafayette area had no representation on the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee, Senator Mike Michot used his influence to keep Lafayette and Lake Charles intact.
"It is important to thank our entire Acadiana legislative delegation for the tireless work it did in keeping the region together during the contentious debate in the special session,” noted Chamber President Rob Guidry. "While Acadiana fared very well, there is disappointment, in that; St. Landry parish was essentially excluded.”
Lawmakers called a special session, which ended yesterday, to redraw election district lines for Louisiana's congressional delegation, the state House and Senate as well as others.
At various points in the debate the Lafayette-Lake Charles configuration was in danger of having Acadia and Jeff Davis parishes along I-10 excluded. Guidry often joined a Lake Charles area contingent in lobbying and testifying on behalf of a "community of interest” during the session.
Legislators ultimately voted to include the parishes of Lafayette, Calcasieu, Cameron, Jefferson Davis, Acadia, St. Martin, Iberia, Vermilion, St. Mary and four precincts in St. Landry in the new third congressional district.
At present, the legislation awaits the signature of Governor Bobby Jindal for the new Congressional districts to become law.
The Chamber's position on the suggested Congressional district was developed through its Governmental Affairs Committee.
