In the News

Why can't we be friends?

State Sen. Rick Ward, R-Port Allen, sensing a growing fractiousness in the Louisiana Legislature, wants to cool the rhetoric.

"There are always a lot of heated discussions, but it seems to me like we're moving away from philosophical disagreements on issues and getting personal," he said.

So Ward authored Senate Concurrent Resolution 102, which encourages civility among lawmakers.

It won final legislative approval Tuesday in the House by a vote of 101-0.

"I'm afraid you're seeing us headed in a similar direction as Washington," he said.

Or even neighboring Texas, where lawmakers there engaged in a shoving match last week. Ward's resolution was heard in the Senate the next day.

"That was just lucky timing," Ward said, laughing.

State Rep. Chris Broadwater, R-Hammond, presented the resolution Tuesday in the House.

"To me, it's the most important instrument of the entire session because it affects every aspect of our service," Broadwater said. "It is something to which we all should aspire both so we can better succeed in our efforts here and as a reminder that others are watching."

Ward said focusing on issues rather than personal attacks generates solid legislation and fosters productive compromise.

"If we keep things about issues and not about trying to take down each other's character then we will end up in a better place where we can actually work on solutions and not be so divisive," he said.

"I'm trying to put the focus back on the real issues and not taking shots at each other personally," Ward said.

A former member of the Louisiana House, current 4th District U.S. Rep. Mike Johnson, R-Benton, expressed a similar sentiment in a document he authored as a freshman in Congress.

Johnson and 46 other freshmen signed a "Commitment to Civility" in February.