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Proposed amendment could allow lawmakers to remove protected state jobs | Louisiana

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www.thecentersquare.com – By Nolan McKendry | The Center Square – (The Center Square – ) 2025-04-30 13:50:00

(The Center Square) − A proposed constitutional amendment would give Louisiana lawmakers new authority to remove jobs from the state’s protected civil service system, while also shortening terms and tightening limits for members of the State Civil Service Commission.

Under the current system, most rank-and-file state employees — like social workers at the Department of Children and Family Services or accountants at the Department of Transportation — are considered as part of the classified civil service.

These employees are hired based on merit, often through competitive exams, and enjoy job protections that shield them from political interference or arbitrary firing.

Others, such as agency heads, the governor’s staff or university presidents, are considered unclassified — appointed positions that serve at the pleasure of elected officials.

Currently, the state employs 37,000 full time classified employees and nearly 25,000 full time unclassified employees. State Civil Service has governing authority over classified employees only.

State agencies are required to submit annual performance evaluations to the Director of State Civil Service. From 2019 to 2024, the number of employees classified as unsuccessful grew from 1.09% to 1.26%. At the same time, employees deemed exceptional also grew from 13.65% to 14.78%, according to the State Civil Service’s annual report.

“Today, we need a system based more on merit,”  Sen. Jay Morris, R-Grant, told the Senate & Governmental Affairs committee, adding that law currently “prioritizes seniority over performance, endless appeals and often court actions.” 

A similar sentiment is shared at the federal level. Just last week, the Office of Personnel Management proposed a rule to strengthen employee accountability, while addressing long-standing performance management issues in the federal workforce.

That proposed rule cites chapter 43 and 75 of U.S. civil service law, which govern how agencies handle poor performance and misconduct, are described as cumbersome and slow-moving — often ending in lengthy appeals with uncertain outcomes. 

According to the rule, surveys suggest many supervisors lack confidence in their ability to remove employees for serious infractions, a dynamic critics say erodes the federal merit system’s commitment to high performance and accountability.

Morris’ amendment would allow the Legislature to remove positions from the classified service by law, potentially instituting a shorter leash for those employees.

The measure would also shorten the term of Civil Service Commission members — from staggered six-year terms to four years — and limit service to two full terms, eliminating an exception that allowed long-serving members to stay on. 

The bill was not without opposition.

Though Berry Erwin, President and CEO of Council for a Better Louisiana, supports a more efficient civil service, “we’re also mindful of Louisiana’s history with political patronage — it’s been part of our past, part of our DNA. We recognize we’re no longer in that era, and times have certainly changed. But when we talk about reforming civil service, we think it’s important to strike a balance.”

Dr. Douglas Bordelon, an employee at the Louisiana Department of Environmental Quality, argued the bill threatens to replace objective public service with politically influenced employment practices, and he dismissed claims that converting jobs to unclassified status would lead to better pay. 

“The solution to addressing this disparity is to ensure adequate funding of our positions, rather than converting us to unclassified civil servants,” Bordelon said.

Bordelon cautioned that the sweeping changes proposed in the bill could harm morale and make it harder for the state to attract and retain qualified employees.

The post Proposed amendment could allow lawmakers to remove protected state jobs | Louisiana appeared first on www.thecentersquare.com



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.



Note: The following A.I. based commentary is not part of the original article, reproduced above, but is offered in the hopes that it will promote greater media literacy and critical thinking, by making any potential bias more visible to the reader –Staff Editor.

Political Bias Rating: Center-Right

The article primarily reports on a legislative proposal in Louisiana regarding changes to the state’s civil service system, presenting viewpoints from both supporters and opponents of the amendment. While it maintains a largely factual tone, the inclusion of supportive statements from a Republican senator and references to similar federal initiatives to enhance worker accountability suggest a center-right leaning. However, it also fairly presents concerns from civil service advocates who warn against politicization and morale issues, which balances the coverage. Overall, the framing of the article leans moderately towards advocating for accountability and reform, typical of center-right perspectives on government efficiency, without overt ideological language or partisan bias. It is not purely neutral reporting, but rather subtly inclined towards a center-right stance.

News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

New Orleans City Council overrides Mayor Cantrell’s veto on French Quarter trash contract, Charity Hospital

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wgno.com – Ashley Hamilton – 2025-07-10 16:11:00

SUMMARY: The New Orleans City Council voted 5-1 to override Mayor LaToya Cantrell’s emergency declaration, allowing Henry Consulting to take over trash collection in the French Quarter. Council President JP Morrell criticized the mayor for overstepping by ending IV Waste’s contract early and awarding Henry Consulting the contract without proper process. Residents and businesses favor keeping IV Waste, and concerns were raised about the quick contractor change. The city defends the emergency contract and selection process, emphasizing Henry Consulting’s top ranking in a competitive RFP. Henry Consulting expects to begin service on July 31. The council also overrode Cantrell’s veto on funding for Charity Hospital redevelopment.

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Kerrville native living in New Orleans reflects on heartbreak in his hometown

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www.youtube.com – WDSU News – 2025-07-10 10:26:51

SUMMARY: Parker Kennedy, a Kerrville native now living in New Orleans, reflects on the devastating flooding affecting his small hometown. Once a community of 20,000, Kerrville has been thrust into heartbreaking headlines due to the tragedy, including loss of life impacting people Parker personally knows. Though his family is safe, the pain is deep as he mourns friends lost, including a close friend’s daughter. Motivated to help, Parker is donating 10% of all sales from his Uptown New Orleans store in July to Kerrville relief foundations, supporting survivors and animals. He honors the memories of those lost and wants others to know Kerrville’s unique spirit beyond this tragedy.

Kerrville native living in New Orleans reflects on heartbreak in his hometown

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News from the South - Louisiana News Feed

Marines to assist ICE at Louisiana detention centers

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thecurrentla.com – Alena Maschke – 2025-07-10 09:15:00

SUMMARY: Up to 200 Marines are deploying to Louisiana to support ICE by performing administrative, logistical, and clerical duties at detention facilities. They will not engage in law enforcement or have direct contact with detainees. This is part of a broader mobilization approved in May, involving up to 700 troops across several states, including Florida and Texas. Louisiana holds the second-largest immigrant detainee population after Texas, with facilities often operating over capacity. The Pine Prairie ICE Processing Center, near Lafayette, is nearly twice over capacity and has faced repeated complaints about human rights abuses and unsanitary conditions. ICE continues expanding its detention network amid rising detainee numbers.

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