Changes

| preceded2=Errol Romero

| preceded2=Errol Romero

| succeeded2=

| succeeded2=

| party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican Party)|Republican]] (2011)

| party=[[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Republican Party|Republican]] (2011)

| birth_date=January 22, 1957

| birth_date=January 22, 1957

| birth_place=New Iberia, Louisiana

| birth_place=New Iberia, Louisiana

| footnotes=

| footnotes=

}}

}}

'''Taylor Francis Barras''' (born January 22, 1957) is an [[accountant]] and [[banker]] from New Iberia, [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 48 in Iberia Parish. On  January 11, 2016, as he began his third term in the chamber, Barras was unexpectedly elected state House Speaker by his colleagues, who rejected on the second ballot Representative Walt Leger, III, of [[New Orleans]], the choice of [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]. Barras received fifty-six votes, seven more than Leger's forty-nine. Since the days of [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], legislators had confirmed the governor's choice for Speaker, but the Republican House majority instead elected Barras despite the preference of the governor.<ref name=noshortcuts>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2016/01/22/house-speaker-taylor-barras-shortcuts/79201924/|title=House Speaker Taylor Barras: No shortcuts|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=January 22, 2016|accessdate=January 23, 2016}}</ref>

'''Taylor Francis Barras''' (born January 22, 1957)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.mylife.com/taylor-barras/taylorbarras|title=Taylor Barras|publisher=Mylife.com|accessdate=June 18, 2018}]</ref> is an [[accountant]] and [[banker]] from New Iberia, [[Louisiana]], who is a [[Republican Party|Republican]] member of the Louisiana House of Representatives for District 48 in Iberia Parish. On  January 11, 2016, as he began his third term in the chamber, Barras was unexpectedly elected state House Speaker by his colleagues, who rejected on the second ballot Representative Walt Leger, III, of [[New Orleans]], the choice of [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]]. Barras received fifty-six votes, seven more than Leger's forty-nine. Since the days of [[Huey Long|Huey Pierce Long, Jr.]], legislators had confirmed the governor's choice for Speaker, but the Republican House majority instead elected Barras despite the preference of the governor.<ref name=noshortcuts>{{cite web|url=http://www.thetowntalk.com/story/news/2016/01/22/house-speaker-taylor-barras-shortcuts/79201924/|title=House Speaker Taylor Barras: No shortcuts|author=[[Greg Hilburn]]|publisher=''The Alexandria Town Talk''|date=January 22, 2016|accessdate=January 23, 2016}}</ref>

==Political biography==

==Political biography==

|publisher=Findagrave.com|date=September 23, 2007|accessdate=January 23, 2016}}</ref>

|publisher=Findagrave.com|date=September 23, 2007|accessdate=January 23, 2016}}</ref>

In 1975, Taylor Barras graduated from New Iberia Senior High School, an entity of the Iberia Parish School System. In 1975, he received a [[Bachelor of Science]] degree in accounting from [[Louisiana State University]] in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]]. He is the market president of Iberia Bank. His wife is the former Cheryl Lopez (born February 5, 1957).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobilelgs.com/BarrasTaylorF.html|title=Rep. Barras, Taylor F.|publisher=mobilelgs.com|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

In 1975, Taylor Barras graduated from New Iberia Senior High School, an entity of the Iberia Parish School System. In 1975, he received a Bachelor of Science degree in accounting from [[Louisiana State University]] in the capital city of [[Baton Rouge]]. He is the market president of Iberia Bank. His wife is the former Cheryl Lopez (born February 5, 1957).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mobilelgs.com/BarrasTaylorF.html|title=Rep. Barras, Taylor F.|publisher=mobilelgs.com|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

Elected in 2007 in his first political bid, as a Democrat like his father, Barras and Shane Romero led a four-candidate primary field to enter the November 17 [[general election]]. Barras received 5,436 votes (45.3 percent) to Romero's 3,191 (26.6 percent). The two other Democrats in contention, David N. Broussard and Raymond Lewis, shared the remaining but critical 28.5 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title=Louisiana primary election returns|date= October 20, 2007|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref> Barras then defeated Romero, 6,690 (62 percent) to 4,091 (38 percent)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|date=November 17, 2007|title=Louisiana general election returns|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref>  

Elected in 2007 in his first political bid, as a Democrat like his father, Barras and Shane Romero led a four-candidate primary field to enter the November 17 [[general election]]. Barras received 5,436 votes (45.3 percent) to Romero's 3,191 (26.6 percent). The two other Democrats in contention, David N. Broussard and Raymond Lewis, shared the remaining but critical 28.5 percent of the vote.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|title=Louisiana primary election returns|date= October 20, 2007|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref> Barras then defeated Romero, 6,690 (62 percent) to 4,091 (38 percent)<ref>{{cite web|url=https://voterportal.sos.la.gov/Graphical|date=November 17, 2007|title=Louisiana general election returns|publisher=Louisiana Secretary of State|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref>  

In his first term, Barras served on these committees: (1) House and Governmental Affairs, (2) Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs, (3) Ways and Means, and (4) Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=48|title=Rep. Taylor F. Barras: Republican District 48|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

In his first term, Barras served on these committees: (1) House and Governmental Affairs, (2) Municipal, Parochial and Cultural Affairs, (3) Ways and Means, and (4) Joint Legislative Committee on Capital Outlay.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://house.louisiana.gov/H_Reps/members.asp?ID=48|title=Rep. Taylor F. Barras: Republican District 48|publisher=house.louisiana.gov|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

In 2010, Representative Barras was rated 100 percent favorably by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, 82 percent by the Louisiana [[National Federation of Independent Business]], and 89 percent by the Louisiana Family Forum. In 2011, Barras voted, unsuccessfully, to override then Governor [[Bobby Jindal]]'s [[veto]] of an increase in his state's [[cigarette tax]]. He also voted to ban hand-held cellular devices while driving. He voted against a 2011 proposal to establish a commission to study how to end state corporate and personal [[state income tax]]es over the next decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=93858|title=Taylor F. Barras|publisher=votesmart.org|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

In 2010, Representative Barras was rated 100 percent favorably by the Louisiana Association of Business and Industry, 82 percent by the Louisiana National Federation of Independent Business, and 89 percent by the Louisiana Family Forum. In 2011, Barras voted, unsuccessfully, to override then Governor [[Bobby Jindal]]'s [[veto]] of an increase in his state's [[cigarette]] tax. He also voted to ban hand-held cellular devices while driving. He voted against a 2011 proposal to establish a commission to study how to end state corporate and personal state income taxes over the next decade.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://votesmart.org/summary.php?can_id=93858|title=Taylor F. Barras|publisher=votesmart.org|accessdate=August 26, 2011}}</ref>

Barras predicted no shortcuts to the reconciliation of the state budget, the first agenda item in the special legislative session set for mid-February. "None of the choices are easy or ideal, but we have to face them," Barras said.<ref name=noshortcuts/>

Barras predicted no shortcuts to the reconciliation of the state budget, the first agenda item in the special legislative session set for mid-February. "None of the choices are easy or ideal, but we have to face them," Barras said.<ref name=noshortcuts/>

In 2015, Barras won reelection without opposition to his third House term.

In 2015, Barras won reelection without opposition to his third House term.

In 2018, Speaker Barras, who has been described as "low-key" and "genial",  obtained House passage of his two high-priority bills, one sought by Uber and Lyft and the other by Harrah's New Orleans casino. Both measures died in the state Senate, under the leadership of the [[Moderate Republican]] [[John Alario]] of Jefferson Parish, a former Democrat associated with former Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. Beginning on June 18, 2018, Barras presided over the seventh special legislative session of the John Bel Edwards administration. At issue is the pending renewal of one-third or one-half of a one-cent [[sales tax]] increase approved in 2016 and set for expiration. Edwards vetoed the one-third tax and then called another special session to push for the one-half cent tax, which Barras has opposed. A supermajority of seventy state representatives is required for passage of tax increases in Louisiana. Edwards lashed out at Barras by vetoing eight infrastructure projects in Iberia Parish, measures which had gained legislative approval. Edwards says he will cut scholarships in the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) by 30 percent if the one-half cent tax is again rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_1db93dde-70b2-11e8-9e0b-9b76f61c0270.html|title=House Speaker Barras' leadership will be tested once again in upcoming special session|author=Tyler Bridges|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 17, 2018|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref>

In 2018, Speaker Barras, who has been described as "low-key" and "genial",  obtained House passage of his two high-priority bills, one sought by Uber and Lyft and the other by Harrah's New Orleans casino. Both measures died in the state Senate, under the leadership of the [[Moderate Republican]] John Alario of Jefferson Parish, a former Democrat associated with former Governor [[Edwin Edwards]]. Beginning on June 18, 2018, Barras presided over the seventh special legislative session of the John Bel Edwards administration. At issue is the pending renewal of one-third or one-half of a one-cent [[sales tax]] increase approved in 2016 and set for expiration. Edwards vetoed the one-third tax and then called another special session to push for the one-half cent tax, which Barras has opposed. A supermajority of seventy state representatives is required for passage of tax increases in Louisiana. Edwards lashed out at Barras by vetoing eight infrastructure projects in Iberia Parish, measures which had gained legislative approval. Edwards says he will cut scholarships in the popular Taylor Opportunity Program for Students (TOPS) by 30 percent if the one-half cent tax is again rejected.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_1db93dde-70b2-11e8-9e0b-9b76f61c0270.html|title=House Speaker Barras' leadership will be tested once again in upcoming special session|author=Tyler Bridges|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=June 17, 2018|accessdate=June 18, 2018}}</ref>

 

   

   

==References==

==References==