Changes

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 said that he would 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> Shortly after holding firm on tax increases, Barras reversed himself to support the Edwards-backed revenue package with retains .45 percent of the temporary one-cent sales tax. Barras' moved signaled to wavering Republican that they could support the package without controversy.<ref>''[[Moon Griffon|The Moon Griffon Show]]'', June 25, 2018.</ref>

==References==

==References==

[[Category:Former Democrats]]

[[Category:Former Democrats]]

[[Category:Republicans]]

[[Category:Republicans]]