| Good Morning, Controversial yet colorful and popular four-term governor Edwin W. Edwards died Monday, a month shy of his 94th birthday, from respiratory problems that had plagued him in recent years. He embodied Louisiana’s populist era in the late 20th century, opening doors for Blacks and working people, and dominating Louisiana politics for a quarter century. He also spent eight years in federal prison after being convicted of racketeering charges involving the state’s entry into casino gambling. His family was still working out funeral arrangements Tuesday morning. Meanwhile, the Republicans that dominate both chambers of the Louisiana Legislature are angling for an historic session to override some of the 28 vetoes Democratic Gov. John Bel Edwards issued from the 2021 legislative session that ended June 10. Theoretically, a veto override session is automatic unless a majority of representatives and senators say its unnecessary, which has been the case every year since the new constitution was passed in 1974. The effort this year is for a majority of the lawmakers – 53 in the House and 20 in the Senate – to decide that a veto override session is necessary. The “votes” – more like statements of intention – are due Thursday and will be counted Friday by each chamber. Should a majority in both chambers back a veto override session, it would begin next Tuesday, June 20. Both Senate President Page Cortez, R-Lafayette, and House Speaker Clay Schexnayder, R-Gonzales, have issued statements saying they didn’t like Edwards’s veto of Senate Bill 156, which bans transgender youth from participating in organized sports at public schools. Proponents say it’s unfair for youngsters born as boys but transitioning into girls to compete with athletes born as girls. Edwards pointed out that the ban would ostracize children who already are having identity issues and knock Louisiana out of lucrative sporting championship events because leagues, like the NCAA, have said they won’t host events in states with discriminatory laws. The governor also pointed out that proponents couldn’t come up with a single instance of a transgender athlete competing in Louisiana. Any one of the 28 measures Edwards rejected could be challenged during the short session where lawmakers would vote up or down on the governor’s decision. The House needs 70 of the 105 representatives to override a gubernatorial veto and the Senate would need 26 of the 39 members to go along with turning a vetoed bill into law. As always, check throughout the day for the latest Louisiana political news at theadvocate.com/politics or NOLA.com/politics and on Twitter at @MarkBallardCNB, @tegbridges, @samkarlin, @blakepater, @WillSentell. Here are a dozen articles, commentaries and editorials that will catch you up for the week to come. One last item: Thank you to our subscribers. Your support means a great deal to us. If you're not yet a subscriber, we’ve got a special offer you can check out here. – Mark Ballard | 
