Chamber Supports Constitutional Amendments on March 29th Election Ballot

(COVINGTON, LA, March 14, 2025) — As the leading voice of business in St. Tammany Parish, representing 1,100 area businesses and their 37,000 employees, the St. Tammany Chamber of Commerce has carefully reviewed the four Constitutional Amendments that will appear on the March 29, 2025, statewide ballot. After thorough consideration, the Chamber’s Board of Directors supports a yes vote on all four amendments.

“These constitutional amendments address critical areas of governance that impact both our business community and the quality of life for all residents of St. Tammany Parish,” stated Lacey Osborne, Chamber President and CEO. “Our board has studied each amendment and believes they collectively represent positive changes that will benefit our parish and state.”

The four Constitutional Amendments on the ballot are:

Amendment 1 will grant the Louisiana Supreme Court to discipline out-of-state lawyers for unethical legal practices within the state, as well as give the Legislature the ability to create specialty courts not limited to parish and judicial district boundaries.

Amendment 2 will rewrite large portions of the state constitution that will lower the maximum rate of income tax, increase tax deductions for citizens over 65, allow local governments to reduce property taxes on business inventory, provide a permanent teacher salary increase by requiring a surplus payment to teacher retirement debt and will allow the merger of state savings accounts.

Amendment 3 will provide the Legislature with the authority to determine which felony crimes, when committed by a person under the age of 17, may be transferred for criminal prosecution as an adult.

Amendment 4 will change the timing requirements for filling judicial vacancies so that special elections coincide with the regular elections calendar.

The Chamber encourages voters to educate themselves about these proposed amendments before casting their ballots. The Public Affairs Research Council’s website (parlouisiana.org) offers comprehensive, nonpartisan analysis of each amendment.

“We urge all St. Tammany Parish residents to exercise their civic duty and vote on March 29th,” said Carrie Calvin, 2025 Chamber Board Chair. “The Louisiana Secretary of State’s website at www.sos.la.gov provides information on voting locations, hours and sample ballots.”