Changes

On August 19, 1972, having earlier in the year taken the oath of office for his second term in the Louisiana state House, Brinkhaus ran in the Democratic then closed [[primary]], prior to the establishment of the Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary system, for Louisiana's 8th congressional district]seat, since disbanded. He polled 31,934 votes (28.2 percent), but victory went to former Ventress in Pointe Coupee Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=236162|title=Louisiana District 8 - D Primary|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> Long then reclaimed the seat by defeating in the [[general election]] held on November 7, 1972, the American Independent Party choice, Dr. S. R. Abramson of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish and the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Roy C. Strickland]], then of Gonzales in Ascension Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=56967|title=LA District 8|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

On August 19, 1972, having earlier in the year taken the oath of office for his second term in the Louisiana state House, Brinkhaus ran in the Democratic then closed [[primary]], prior to the establishment of the Louisiana nonpartisan blanket primary system, for Louisiana's 8th congressional district]seat, since disbanded. He polled 31,934 votes (28.2 percent), but victory went to former Ventress in Pointe Coupee Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=236162|title=Louisiana District 8 - D Primary|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=December 23, 2020}}</ref> Long then reclaimed the seat by defeating in the [[general election]] held on November 7, 1972, the American Independent Party choice, Dr. S. R. Abramson of Marksville in Avoyelles Parish and the [[Republican Party|Republican]] [[Roy C. Strickland]], then of Gonzales in Ascension Parish.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.ourcampaigns.com/RaceDetail.html?RaceID=56967|title=LA District 8|publisher=ourcampaigns.com|accessdate=May 23, 2014}}</ref>

Brinkhaus chaired the Senate Education Committee and was a major promoter of his alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He authored legislation to establish special protection for school teachers facing acts of violence from  unruly pupils. His law created the crime of assault of a school teacher with an enhanced penalty. Brinkhaus worked to provide low interest loans for the purchase of school buses and greater operational allowances for bus drivers. He worked for increases in pay for teachers and support personnel as well as for additional supplements to retired educators. He led the effort to require that a teacher evaluation plan be developed by local school boards, rather than the Louisiana Department of Education.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

Brinkhaus chaired the Senate Education Committee and was a major promoter of his alma mater, the University of Louisiana at Lafayette. He authored legislation to establish special protection for school teachers facing acts of violence from  unruly pupils. His law created the crime of assault of a school teacher with an enhanced penalty. Brinkhaus worked to provide low interest loans for the purchase of school buses and greater operational allowances for bus drivers. He worked for increases in pay for teachers and support personnel as well as for additional supplements to retired educators. He led the effort to require that a teacher evaluation plan be developed by local school boards, rather than the Louisiana Department of Education.

Brinkhaus also served at various times on the Senate Finance, Judiciary, and Agriculture committees.<ref name=acadiamuseum/> He sponsored legislation to halt the distribution of campaign contributions to legislators within the Louisiana State Capitol, the governor’s mansion, or any other state office building. He voted to require the disclosure of certain expenditures by persons who lobby the legislature and to require that individual legislators disclose the receipt of gifts of transportation, food, lodging, or entertainment.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>

Brinkhaus also served at various times on the Senate Finance, Judiciary, and Agriculture committees.<ref name=acadiamuseum/> He sponsored legislation to halt the distribution of campaign contributions to legislators within the Louisiana State Capitol, the governor’s mansion, or any other state office building. He voted to require the disclosure of certain expenditures by persons who lobby the legislature and to require that individual legislators disclose the receipt of gifts of transportation, food, lodging, or entertainment.<ref name=lanewsbureau/>