The St. Francisville Democrat 04-01-2026

Music rings out during 10th Tunica Hills Music Festival

St. Francisville resident Joe Roppolo played harmonica Saturday during the 10th annual Tunica Hills Music Festival. The harmonica wasn’t the only instrument being played at the event.

FELICIANA SPORTS

Around the diamond update for local teams

BY RICHARD MEEK

Contributing writer

West Feliciana continued its excellent play this week by winning three of four games.

The Saints defeated Tara 15-0 on March 24 and garnered a District 6-4A win with a 9-3 victory over Plaquemine on March 26. West Feliciana, 15-11, 2-1, fell to Glenmora 6-1 on March 27 before rebounding with a 5-4 win over Central-Florence Alabama, one day later Saints senior Myles Callegan picked up his first win of the season against Tara, allowing no hits and striking out seven. Seniors Cole Schexnayder and Caden Bell each had two hits against Tara. Schexnayder hit a home run and Bell had three RBIs. East Feliciana had 12 hits

against Plaquemine, led by senior Jack Leak with a home run and Schexnayder with three RBIs.

Junior Mason Rogillio is batting .373 with three home runs for the Saints.

Against Plaquemine, sophomore Emmet Whitman pitched 4.2 innings, striking out five and giving up two earned runs to pick up the victory Sophomore Jackson Rachel pitched 6.2 innings and gave up all six runs in the loss to Glenmora. Against Central-Florence, junior Tanner Savoy was able to get the Saints back on track, giving up two runs and striking out five in the victory Whitman has 1.815 ERA, Rachel a .797 ERA and Savoy has 22 strikeouts.

ä More photos from the festival. PAGES 2G AND 3G

More than 20 musicians performed on three stages in downtown St. Francisville. Wooden guitar-shaped art pieces were auctioned throughout the event.

Wednesday Club of Jackson learns about railroads, dine in a former club car

BY MELINDA RAWLS HOWELL Contributing writer

The topic was trains — old and new, near and far, one proposed for the future and even trains that once transported homeless children.

Members of the Wednesday Club of Jackson listened as they sat in a vintage train car a former club car named the Southern Belle.

Outfitted now as a dining car/ event venue, the car was once part of the Kansas City Southern line that ran from Kansas City to New Orleans through Baton Rouge. It is part of the Southern Belle Station Antiques Mall in Jackson and was the location of the March meeting hosted by member Susan Vidrine.

Club member Nannette Egros, who is a native of New Orleans, a longtime resident of Baton Rouge and now lives in East

ä See RAILROADS, page 4G ä See SPORTS, page 2G

West Feliciana library hosts Louisiana Orphan Train Program

Continued from page 1G

Schexnayder is batting .390.

“Our pitchers did well (this past week) but our infield defense needs to improve,” coach Gannon Achord said.

West Feliciana will play four games in four days, with three on the road beginning April 1 at Vidalia. The Saints then travel to Brusly on April 2 in a key district matchup and play at Delta Charter on April 3 before returning home April 4 to host McKinley East Feliciana

Aiden Johnson had two triples and three RBIs to lead the Tigers to a 10-run rule 18-6 victory over Northeast on March 24.

Joseph Santamorrana pitched the final 5.2 innings to pick up the win, giving up three earned runs, walking seven and striking out eight East Feliciana, 6-9-1, trailed 3-2 after two innings but scored a combined 12 runs in the third through sixth innings to close out the win.

Kameron Wilson continues to lead East Feliciana, hitting 500 with a .633 on base percentage He also has 18 stolen bases.

The speedy Ke-Marion Matthes leads the Tigers with 27 stolen bases and Johnson has 23

The sure-handed John Goudeau has a 980 fielding percentage Slaughter Community Charter

The Knights swept a home-and-away series against St. Joseph Plaucheville, winning 12-10 on March 27 and 15-7 March 28. Slaughter is 12-6 overall, 2-1 in District 8-2A play

The Knights are scheduled to host Maurepas on April 1 and play at Independence on April 2.

Softball results

Conlee Flotte continues to lead Slaughter Charter in hitting with a .652 average Flotte also has 11 stolen bases for the Knights, 5-10, 0-1 in District 8-2A as they prepare to host Episcopal on April 1 and follow with an away game on April 2 at Sumner Slaughter is coming off an 18-2 loss at St. Michael on March 26.

AROUND

Continued from page 1G

a.m. to 2 p.m. April 18. Highlights include a chance to operate model trains including “Thomas and Friends,” train displays, vendors, door prizes, live steam train action, interactive STEAM activities and exhibitions celebrating Baton Rouge’s railway history Train Day admission and full day access to the Irene W. Pennington Planetarium are included with regular museum entry Spring events abound Second annual Autism Awareness Walk: 5 p.m. April 2, East Feliciana Middle School, 10410 Plank Road, Clinton. In addition to a 2K walk, the event put on by East Feliciana Parish Schools will feature music a photo area and giveaways. Registration is required at bit.ly/efautismwalk. For information, contact the East Feliciana Public Schools Exceptional Student Services Department at (225) 683-8582. Spring Creek Car Show: 1 p.m. to 6 p.m. April

18, 7188 U.S. 61, St Francisville. It will feature cars, a raffle, shopping, games and activities. Pick up a registration form at Madewell Nutrition or The Chill Mill, both in Spring Creek Shopping Center, or text or call (225) 535-6601.

Tunica Hills Yard Sale Trail: 8 a.m. April 24 to 4 p.m. April 26. Deadline for signing up is April 1. The trail for the multifamily progressive yard sale will follow Angola Road, Old Tunica Road and the Greenwood area.

A Facebook group is available at facebook. com/groups/832172577337930 to see details as they are posted.

Clinton is Home’s An Evening of Art and Music: 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. April 25, St Helena Street and surrounding area. Artists and vendors (ages 18 and older) are invited to enter the Featured Artist Contest for a chance to have artwork showcased in next year’s promotions and/ or apply to be a vendor for $25 vendor Artwork and applications can be dropped off at The Green Door at H Mercantile. Email clintonishome@gmail.com for a PDF application form. Deadline to apply is April 18. Email Leila Pitchford at lpitchford@ theadvocate.com.

DEMOCRAT

Feliciana Parish near Clinton, led the program. She said she learned a lot and enjoyed doing the research for the multifaceted history lesson about trains.

As she spoke, she passed around a number of copied historic photos, illustrations, maps and other information Also available for viewing was a scrapbook showing the moving of the Southern Belle in 1994 from the Clinton area to its present location Egros said is been a fan of traveling by train.

The orphan trains began Her train lecture/history presentation began with the orphan trains. Because of the sad plight of impoverished and often parentless children, the orphan train movement began in 1854 in New York City, Egros said. The dire conditions of these children originated mostly because they were part of or later born to immigrants into that city, she said.

Massive waves of immigration increased the population of New York from about 500,000 in 1850 to over 2 million in 1920 with around 2,000 per day processed at Ellis Island in 1900, according to statistics The children often became orphaned by the dangerous working conditions of parents or by rampant disease. Some were abandoned by family who were simply unable to care for them, she said.

The goal was to place children in homes in communities around the United States where they would have a better life. The first train with children as cargo was sent out in 1854 by the Children’s Aid Society Egros said the group was made up of 46 children ages 7-15 and, according to records, they found homes in Dowagiac, Michigan With success came expansion and more organizations became involved from the 1860 to 1920s. The New York Foundling Hospital was one of the largest organizations. Run by the Sisters of Charity, the group placed children in the homes of families approved by local church leaders, Egros said Children sent to Opelousas

The orphaned children were usually sent to rural areas, Egros said. One of those places was Opelousas The first orphan train of children arrived from the New York Foundling Hospital in April 1907 and children of various ages, totaling 56, who were matched with families in south Louisiana, she said. Over 2,000 children were sent to Louisiana from 1907 to 1929, she added Trains in Louisiana and nearby

The Pontchartrain Railroad, chartered in 1830, was the first in Louisiana and the first west of the Allegheny, Egros said The flat terrain in the state made it ideal for rail-

roads. In 1831, the West Feliciana Railroad was chartered, Egros said. It operated in Louisiana and Mississippi covering a 26-mile line from St. Francisville in West Feliciana Parish to Woodville, Mississippi. She added that it was one of the earliest railroads in the United States and was the first interstate rail line. It was completed in 1842 connecting plantation owners to the steamboat docks at Bayou Sara, she said.

This railroad system was almost completely destroyed during the Civil War, rebuilt in 1875 and later sold, becoming part of the Illinois Central System, she said. Ceasing to operate in 1878, the rails were eventually removed. Museums in Woodville and St. Francisville have helped to preserve the history of the railroad, she said.

In East Feliciana Parish, the Clinton and Port Hudson Railroad prospered as did the town of Clinton — the parish seat of East Feliciana — which became a noted center of law, Egros said.

Receiving cotton and agriculture from East Feliciana and St. Helena parishes and Amite County in Mississippi, it was a center of much economic activity Cotton and produce would go from Port Hudson down

to New Orleans with goods coming upriver from New Orleans, she explained. It was mentioned that a railroad spur was built going into Jackson, the location of several educational institutions The Clinton and Port Hudson Railroad Bank was built there — the structure is now known as Milbank.

Goods and troops were transported on that line during the Civil War, Egros said.

Many of the Louisiana railroads were damaged, some repaired in 1867, but they were never the same although still in use for many years, she said.

Development nearby after the war

In the 1880s rebuilding, expansion and economic growth came to some nearby areas as the Yazoo and Mississippi Valley Railroad built a line in 1886 in East Feliciana, Egos said. The railroad spurred growth, she said, giving a boost to the economy and new population growth in the already established town of Norwood. The area became known for its agricultural production, particularly cotton and timber passing through other towns like Slaughter and villages like Wilson and McManus, it was noted.

Egros spoke of the decline in passenger rail service in the mid-20th century She acknowledged the existing Amtrak passenger routes and the recent comeback in train development, including the successful Mardi Gras Line from New Orleans along the Gulf Coast to Mobile. The proposed high speed Baton Rouge to New Orleans passenger rail project was mentioned with brief details about the stops along the ways and a map shown. Egros said the project is awaiting federal funding. Refreshments were served afterward and the club members enjoyed the train dinningcar setting.

electors of the state, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,a proposal to amend Article X, Section 2(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows: §2. Classified and Unclassified Service Section 2.(A) (B) Unclassified Service. The unclassified service shall include the following officers and employees in the state and city civil service:

(1) elected officials and persons appointed to fill vacancies in elective offices;

(2) the heads of each principal executive department appointed by the governor,the mayor,orthe governing authority of acity;

(3) city attorneys;

(4) registrars of voters; (5) members of state and city boards, authorities, and commissions;

(6) one private secretary to the president of each college or university;

(7) one person holding aconfidential position and one principal assistant or deputy to any officer,board, commission, or authority mentioned in (1), (2), (4), or (5) above, except civil service departments;

(8) members of the military or naval forces;

(9) teaching and professional staffs, and administrative officers of schools, colleges, and universities of the state, and bona fide students of those institutions employed by any state, parochial, or municipal agency;

(10) employees, deputies, and officers of the legislatureand of the offices of the governor,lieutenant governor,attorney general, each mayor and city attorney,ofpolice juries, school boards, assessors, and of all offices provided for in Article Vofthis constitution except the offices of clerk of the municipal and trafficcourts in New Orleans; (11) commissioners of elections, watchers, and custodians anddeputy custodians of voting machines; (12) railroad employees whose working conditions and retirement benefits areregulated by federal agencies in accordance with federal law; and

(13) the director,deputy director,and all employees of the Governor’sOffice of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Additional positions may be added to the unclassified service and those positions may be revoked by rules adopted by a commission. Additional officers, positions, and employees may be added to the unclassified service in the state civil service by law and such additional officers, positions, and employees may be removed from the unclassified service only bylaw

Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall besubmitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on April 18, 2026, if House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislatureof Louisiana becomes effective. If House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislatureof Louisiana does not become effective, this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on November 3, 2026.

Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election thereshall be printed aproposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows:

“Do you support an amendment to allow the legislaturetoremove or add officers, positions, and employees to the unclassified state civil service?” (Amends Article X, Section 2(B))

Proposed Amendment No. 2 Regular Session, 2025 --ACT No. 218 --SENATE BILL NO. 25 BY SENATOR EDMONDS AND REPRESENTATIVE CHENEVERT AJOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing to amend Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to certain effects and purposes for the proposed St. George community school system in East Baton Rouge Parish which shall be regarded and treated as aparish and shall have the authority granted parishes with respect to operating aschool system, including the purposes of certain funding and the raising of certain local revenues for the support of elementaryand secondary schools; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; to specify an election date for submission of the proposition to electors and to provide for aballot proposition.

Section 1. Be it resolved by the LegislatureofLouisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that thereshall be submitted to the electors of the state, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,aproposal to amend Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows: §13. Funding; Apportionment

Section 13. (D)(1) Municipal and Other School Systems. For the effects andpurposes of this Section, the Central community school system the St. George community schoolsystem, and the Zachary community school system in East Baton Rouge Parish, and the municipalities of Baker in East Baton Rouge Parish, Monroe in Ouachita Parish, and Bogalusa in Washington Parish, and no others, shall be regarded and treated as parishes and shall have the authority granted parishes. Consistent with Article VIII of this constitution, relevant to equal educational opportunities, no state dollars shall be used to discriminate or to have the effect of discriminating in providing equal educational opportunity for all students. ** *

Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall besubmitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on April 18, 2026, if House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the LegislatureofLouisiana becomes effective. If House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislatureof Louisiana does not become effective, this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on November 3, 2026.

Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election thereshall be printed aproposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows:

Do you support an amendment to grant the St. Georgecommunity school system in East Baton Rouge Parish the same authority granted parishes for purposes of Article VIII, Section 13 of the Constitution of Louisiana, including purposes related to the minimum foundation program, funding for certain school books and instructional materials, and the raising of certain local revenues for the support of elementary and secondary schools? (Amends Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1)) Proposed Amendment No. 3 Regular

and to repeal Article VII, Sections 10(F)(4)(d), 10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9), relative to monies in the state treasury; to repeal the Education Excellence Fund within the Millennium

payment of

state general fund expenditures for the Minimum Foundation Program relative to such pay raises; to direct the state treasurer to take certain actions with respect to monies in repealed funds; to provide for calculation and transfer of such monies to the Overcollections Fund for use by specified entities pursuant to outlined restrictions; to execute technical changes; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters. Section 1. Be it resolved by the LegislatureofLouisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that thereshall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,aproposal to amend Article VII, Section 10.8(A)(1), (2), and (4), (B), and (C)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana and to enact Article VII, Section 10.17 to read as follows:

§10.8. Millennium Trust Section 10.8. Millennium Trust (A) Creation. (1) Thereshall be established in the state treasury as aspecial permanent trust the “Millennium Trust”. After allocation of money to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 9(B) of this constitution, the treasurer shall depositinand credit to the Millennium Trust certain monies received as aresult of the Master Settlement Agreement, hereinafter the “Settlement Agreement”, executed November 23, 1998, and approved by Consent Decree and Final Judgment entered in the case “RichardP.Ieyoub, Attorney General,exrel.State of Louisiana v. Philip Morris, Incorporated, et al.”, bearing Number 98-6473 on the docket of the Fourteenth Judicial District for the parish of Calcasieu, state of Louisiana; and all dividend and interest income and all realized capital gains on investment of the monies in the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall depositinand credit to the Millennium Trust the following amounts of monies received as aresult of the Settlement Agreement: (a) Fiscal Year 2000-2001, forty-five percent of the total monies received that year (b) Fiscal Year 2001-2002, sixty percent of the total monies received that year (c) Fiscal Year 2002-2003 and each fiscal year thereafter seventy-five percent of the total monies received that year each fiscal year as aresultofthe Settlement Agreement. However,beginning in Fiscal Year 2011-2012 after the balance in the Millennium Trust reaches atotal of one billion three hundred eighty million dollars, the The monies deposited in and credited to the Millennium Trust, received as aresultofthe Settlement Agreement, shall be allocated to the various funds within the Millennium Trust as provided in Subsubparagraphs (2) (b), (3)(b), and (4)(b) and (c) of this Paragraph. TOPS Fund. (d) For Fiscal Year 2000-2001, Fiscal Year 2001-2002, and Fiscal Year 2002-2003, ten percent of the total monies received in each of those years for credit to the Education Excellence Fund which, notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (C)(1) of this Section, shall be appropriated for the purposes provided in Subsubparagraph (d) of Subparagraph (3) of Paragraph (C) of this Section.

(2)(a) The Health Excellence Fund shall be established as a special fund within the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall credit to the Health Excellence Fund one-thirdofthe Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited each year into the Millennium Trust, and onethirdofall investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annually to the legislatureastothe amount of Millennium Trust investment earnings credited to the Health Excellence Fund.

(b) Beginning Fiscal Year 2011-2012, and each fiscal year thereafter,the The treasurer shall credit to the Health Excellence Fund one-third one-half of all investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annuallytothe legislature as to the amount of Millennium Trust investment earnings credited to the Health Excellence Fund.

(c) (b) Beginning on July 1, 2012, after After allocation of money to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 9(B) of this constitution, the state treasurer shall depositinand credit to the Health Excellence Fund an amount equal to the revenues derived from the tax levied pursuant to R.S. 47:841(B) (3).

(4)(a) The TOPS Fund shall be established as aspecial fund within the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall deposit in and credit to the TOPS Fund one- thirdofthe Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited into the Millennium Trust, and one-third of all investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annually to the legislatureastothe amount of Millennium Trust investment earnings credited to the TOPS Fund. (b) Beginning Fiscal Year 2011-2012, and each fiscal year thereafter,the The treasurer shall credit to the TOPS Fund one hundred percent of the Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited into the Millennium Trust, and one-third one-half of all investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annually tothe legislatureastothe amount of Millennium Trust Settlement Agreement proceeds and investment earnings credited to the TOPS Fund.

(c) Upon the effective date of this Subsubparagraph, the state treasurer shall deposit, transfer,orotherwise credit funds in an amount equal to such Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited in and credited to the Millennium Trust received by the state between April 1, 2011 and the effective date of this Subsubparagraph to the TOPS Fund.

(B) Investment. Monies credited to the Millennium Trust pursuant to Paragraph (A) of this Section shall be invested by the treasurer with the same authority and subject to the same restrictions as the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund. as provided by law However,the portion of monies in the Millennium Trust which may be invested in stock may be increased to no morethan fifty percent by aspecificlegislative instrument which receives afavorablevote of two-thirdsofthe elected members of each house of the legislature. The legislatureshall provide for procedures for the investment of such monies by law.The treasurer may contract, subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, for the management of such investments and, if acontract isentered into, amounts necessary to pay the costs of the contract shall be appropriated from the Millennium Trust.

(C) Appropriations. (1)(a) Appropriations from the Education Excellence Fund shall be limited to an annual amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate annual earnings from interest, dividends, and realized capital gains on investment of the trust allocated as provided by Paragraph (A) of this Section and as recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference. Amounts determined to be availablefor appropriation shall be those aggregate investment earnings which areinexcess of an inflation factor as determined by the Revenue Estimating Conference. The amount of realized capital gains on investment which may be included in the aggregate earnings availablefor appropriation in any year shall not exceed the aggregate of earnings from interest and dividends for that year (b)(i) For Fiscal Year 2011-2012, appropriations from the Health Excellence Fund shall be limited to an annual amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate annual earnings from interest, dividends, and realized capital gains on investment of the trust and credited to the Health Excellence Fund as provided by Subsubparagraph (A) (2)(b) of this Section and as recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference. (ii) For Fiscal Year 2012-2013, and each fiscal year thereafter appropriations Appropriations from the Health Excellence Fund shall be limited to an annual amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate annual earnings from interest, dividends, and realized capital gains on investment of the trust and credited to the Health Excellence Fund as provided by Subsubparagraph (A)(2)(b) (A)(2)(a) of this Section and as recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference and the amount of proceeds credited to and deposited into the Health Excellence

(3) For the purposes of this Paragraph, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (a) “Personnel” shall mean persons employed in the positions for which an across-the-boardpay raise was proposed in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024

charter school; and any other elementary or secondary school governing authority Section 2. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that thereshall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law, aproposal to repeal Article VII, Sections 10(F)(4)(d), 10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9). Section 3. Within two weeks of the effective date of this Act, the Department of Education shall coordinate with the Department of Treasury to certify amounts maintained in the Education Excellence Fund held to the credit of apolitical subdivision or school. The state treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to transfer to the Overcollections Fund an amount equal to the total certified balance. Notwithstanding any provision of constitution

monies received pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be restricted to expenditurefor pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade instructional enhancement for students, including early childhood education programs focused on enhancing the preparation of at-risk children for school, remedial instruction, and assistance to children who fail to achieve the required scores on any tests passage of which arerequired pursuant to state law or rule for advancementto asucceeding grade or other educational programs approved by the legislature. Expenditures for maintenance or renovation of buildings, capital improvements, and increases in employee salaries areprohibited. Section 4. Within two weeks of the effective date of this Act, the State BoardofElementary and Secondary Education and the BoardofRegents shall each coordinate with the Department of Treasury to certify amounts maintained in the Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund held to the agency’scredit within the fund. The state treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to transfer to the Overcollections Fund an amount equal to the certified balances of each agency. Monies held in the Overcollections Fund for each agency shall be appropriated and used in accordance with the following:

(A) Higher Education.Monies attributable to the certified balance of the BoardofRegents

The enhancement of the quality of academic, research, or agricultural departments or units within acommunity college, college, or university.These funds shall not be used for athletic purposes or programs.

(4) The recruitment of superior graduate students.

(B)Elementary and Secondary Education. Monies attributable to the

electors of the state, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,a proposal to amend Article X, Section 2(B) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows: §2. Classified and Unclassified Service Section 2.(A)

(B) Unclassified Service. The unclassified service shall include the following officers and employees in the state and city civil service:

(1) elected officials and persons appointed to fill vacancies in elective offices;

(2) the heads of each principal executive department appointed by the governor,the mayor,orthe governing authority of acity;

(3) city attorneys;

(4) registrars of voters; (5) members of state and city boards, authorities, and commissions;

(6) one private secretary to the president of each college or university;

(7) one person holding aconfidential position and one principal assistant or deputy to any officer,board, commission, or authority mentioned in (1), (2), (4), or (5) above, except civil service departments;

(8) members of the military or naval forces;

(9) teaching and professional staffs, and administrative officers of schools, colleges, and universities of the state, and bona fide students of those institutions employed by any state, parochial, or municipal agency;

(10) employees, deputies, and officers of the legislatureand of the offices of the governor,lieutenant governor,attorney general, each mayor and city attorney,ofpolice juries, school boards, assessors, andofall offices provided for in Article Vofthis constitution except the offices of clerk of the municipal and trafficcourts in New Orleans; (11) commissionersofelections, watchers, and custodians and deputy custodians of voting machines; (12) railroad employees whose working conditions and retirement benefits areregulated by federal agencies in accordance with federal law; and

(13) the director,deputy director,and all employees of the Governor’sOffice of Homeland Security and Emergency Preparedness. Additional positions may be added to the unclassified service and those positions may be revoked by rules adopted by a commission. Additional officers, positions, and employees may be added to the unclassified service in the state civil service by law and such additional officers, positions, and employees may be removed from the unclassified service only bylaw

Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall besubmitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on April 18, 2026, if House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the LegislatureofLouisiana becomes effective. If House Bill No.625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislatureof Louisiana does not become effective, this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on November 3, 2026.

Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election thereshall be printed aproposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO,toamend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows:

“Do you support an amendment to allow the legislaturetoremove or add officers, positions, and employees to the unclassified state civil service?”(Amends Article X, Section 2(B))

Proposed Amendment No. 2 Regular Session, 2025 ---ACT No. 218 ---SENATE BILL NO.25 BY SENATOR EDMONDS AND REPRESENTATIVE CHENEVERT AJOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing to amend Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to certain effects and purposes for the proposed St. George community school system in East Baton Rouge Parish which shall be regarded and treated as aparish and shall have the authority granted parishes with respect to operating aschool system, including the purposes of certain funding and the raising of certain local revenues for the support of elementary and secondaryschools; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; to specify an election date for submission of the proposition to electors and to provide for aballot proposition.

Section 1. Be it resolved by the LegislatureofLouisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that thereshall be submitted to the electors of the state, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,aproposal to amend Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows: §13. Funding; Apportionment Section 13. (D)(1) Municipal and Other School Systems. For the effects and purposes of this Section, the Central community school system the St. George community schoolsystem, and the Zachary community school system in East Baton Rouge Parish, and the municipalities of Baker in East Baton Rouge Parish, Monroe in Ouachita Parish, and Bogalusa in Washington Parish, and no others, shall be regarded and treated as parishes and shall have the authority granted parishes. Consistent with Article VIII of this constitution, relevant to equal educational opportunities, no state dollars shall be used to discriminate or to have the effect of discriminating in providing equal educational opportunity for all students. ** *

Section 2. Be it further resolved that this proposed amendment shall besubmitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on April 18, 2026, if House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the LegislatureofLouisiana becomes effective. If House Bill No. 625 of the 2025 Regular Session of the Legislatureof Louisiana does not become effective, this proposed amendment shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana at astatewide election to be held on November 3, 2026. Section 3. Be it further resolved that on the official ballot to be used at said election thereshall be printed aproposition, upon which the electors of the state shall be permitted to vote YES or NO, to amend the Constitution of Louisiana, which proposition shall read as follows: Do you support an amendment to grant the St. Georgecommunity school system in East Baton Rouge Parish the sameauthority granted parishes for purposes of Article VIII, Section 13 of the Constitution of Louisiana, including purposes related to the minimum foundation program, funding for certain school books and instructional materials, andthe raising of certain local revenues for the support of elementary andsecondary schools? (Amends Article VIII, Section 13(D)(1)) Proposed Amendment No. 3 Regular Session, 2025

Section 10.17, and to repeal Article VII, Sections 10(F)(4)(d), 10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9), relative to monies in the state treasury; to repeal the Education Excellence Fund within the Millennium Trust, the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund, and the Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund; to apply monies held in those funds to liabilities of the Teachers’ Retirement System of Louisiana and to requirelocal public school systems to pay ateacher pay raise with savings realized from payment of those retirement system liabilities; to requireadditional state general fund expenditures for the Minimum Foundation Program relative to such pay raises; to direct the state treasurer to take certain actions with respect to monies in repealed funds; to provide for calculation and transfer of such monies to the Overcollections Fund for use by specified entities pursuant to outlined restrictions; to execute technical changes; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.

Section 1. Be it resolved by the LegislatureofLouisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that thereshall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,a proposal to amend Article VII, Section 10.8(A)(1), (2), and (4), (B), and (C)(1) of the Constitution of Louisiana and to enact Article VII, Section 10.17 to read as follows: §10.8. Millennium Trust Section 10.8. Millennium Trust (A) Creation. (1) Thereshall be established in the state treasury as aspecial permanent trust the “Millennium Trust”. After allocation of money to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 9(B) of this constitution, the treasurer shall deposit in and credit to the Millennium Trust certain monies received as aresultofthe Master Settlement Agreement, hereinafter the “Settlement Agreement”, executed November 23, 1998, and approved by Consent Decree and Final Judgment entered in the case “RichardP.Ieyoub, Attorney General, ex rel. State of Louisiana v. Philip Morris, Incorporated, et al.”, bearing Number 98-6473 on the docket of the Fourteenth Judicial District for the parish of Calcasieu, state of Louisiana; and all dividend and interest income and all realized capital gains on investment of the monies in the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall depositinand credit to the Millennium Trust the following amounts of monies received as aresult of the Settlement Agreement: (a) Fiscal Year 2000-2001, forty-five percent of the total monies received that year (b) Fiscal Year 2001-2002, sixty percent of the total monies received that year (c) Fiscal Year 2002-2003 and each fiscal year thereafter seventy-five percent of the total monies received that year each fiscal year as aresult of the Settlement Agreement. However,beginning in Fiscal Year 2011-2012 after the balance in the Millennium Trust reaches atotal of one billion three hundred eighty million dollars, the The monies deposited in and credited to the Millennium Trust, received as aresultofthe Settlement Agreement, shall be allocated to the various funds within the Millennium Trust as provided in Subsubparagraphs (2) (b), (3)(b), and (4)(b) and (c) of this Paragraph. TOPS Fund. (d) For Fiscal Year 2000-2001, Fiscal Year 2001-2002, and Fiscal Year 2002-2003, ten percent of the total monies received in each of those years for credit to the Education Excellence Fund which, notwithstanding the provisions of Subparagraph (C)(1) of this Section, shall be appropriated for the purposes provided in Subsubparagraph (d) of Subparagraph (3) of Paragraph (C) of this Section.

(2)(a) The Health Excellence Fund shall be established as a special fund within the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall credit to the Health Excellence Fund one-thirdofthe Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited each year into the Millennium Trust, and onethirdofall investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annually to the legislatureastothe amount of Millennium Trust investment earnings credited to the Health Excellence Fund.

(b) Beginning Fiscal Year 2011-2012, and each fiscal year thereafter,the The treasurer shall credit to the Health Excellence Fund one-third one-half of all investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annuallytothe legislature as to the amount of Millennium Trust investment earnings credited to the Health Excellence Fund.

(c) (b) Beginning on July 1, 2012, after After allocation of money to the Bond Security and Redemption Fund as provided in Article VII, Section 9(B) of this constitution, the state treasurer shall deposit in and credit to the Health Excellence Fund an amount equal to the revenues derived from the tax levied pursuant to R.S. 47:841(B) (3).

(4)(a) The TOPS Fund shall be established as aspecial fund within the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall depositinand credit to the TOPS Fund one- thirdofthe Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited into the Millennium Trust, and one-third of all investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annuallytothe legislatureastothe amount of Millennium Trust investment earnings credited to the TOPS Fund. (b) Beginning Fiscal Year 2011-2012, and each fiscal year thereafter,the The treasurer shall credit to the TOPS Fund one hundred percent of the Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited into the Millennium Trust, and one-third one-half of all investment earnings on the investment of the Millennium Trust. The treasurer shall report annually to the legislatureastothe amount of Millennium Trust Settlement Agreement proceeds and investment earnings credited to the TOPS Fund.

(c) Upon the effective date of this Subsubparagraph, the state treasurer shall deposit, transfer,orotherwise credit funds in an amount equal to such Settlement Agreement proceeds deposited in and credited to the Millennium Trust received by the state between April 1, 2011 and the effective date of this Subsubparagraph to the TOPS Fund.

(B) Investment. Monies credited to the Millennium Trust pursuant to Paragraph (A) of this Section shall be invested by the treasurer with the same authority and subject to the same restrictions as the Louisiana Education Quality Trust Fund. as provided by law However,the portion of monies in the Millennium Trust which may be invested in stock may be increased to no morethan fifty percent by aspecificlegislative instrument which receives afavorablevote of two-thirds of the elected members of each house of the legislature. The legislatureshall provide for procedures for the investment of such monies by law.The treasurer may contract, subject to the approval of the State Bond Commission, for the management of such investments and, if acontract isentered into, amounts necessary to pay the costs of the contract shall be appropriated from the Millennium Trust.

(C) Appropriations. (1)(a) Appropriations from the Education Excellence Fund shall be limited to an annual amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate annual earnings from interest, dividends, and realized capital gains on investment of the trust allocated as provided by Paragraph (A) of this Section and as recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference. Amounts determined to be availablefor appropriation shall be those aggregate investment earnings which areinexcess of an inflation factor as determined by the Revenue Estimating Conference. The amount of realized capital gains on investment which may be included in the aggregate earnings availablefor appropriation in any year shall not exceed the aggregate of earnings from interest and dividends for that year (b)(i) For Fiscal Year 2011-2012, appropriations from the Health Excellence Fund shall be limited to an annual amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate annual earnings from interest, dividends, and realized capital gains on investment of the trust and credited to the Health Excellence Fund as provided by Subsubparagraph (A) (2)(b) of this Section and as recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference. (ii) For Fiscal Year 2012-2013, and each fiscal year thereafter appropriations Appropriations from the Health Excellence Fund shall be limited to an annual amount not to exceed the estimated aggregate annual earnings from interest, dividends, and realized capital gains on investment of the trust and credited to the Health Excellence Fund as provided by Subsubparagraph (A)(2)(b) (A)(2)(a) of this Section and as recognized by the Revenue Estimating Conference and the amount of proceeds credited to and deposited into

(3) For the purposes of this Paragraph, the following terms shall have the following meanings, unless the context clearly indicates otherwise: (a) “Personnel” shall mean persons employed in the positions for which an across-the-boardpay raise was proposed in the Fiscal Year 2023-2024

board; charter school; and any other elementary or secondary school governing authority Section 2. Be it resolved by the Legislature of Louisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that there shall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,a proposal to repeal Article VII, Sections 10(F)(4)(d), 10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9). Section 3. Within two weeks of the effective date of this Act, the Department of Education shall coordinate with the Department of Treasury to certify amounts maintained in the Education Excellence Fund held to the credit of apolitical subdivision or school. The state treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to transfer to the Overcollections Fund an amount equal to the total certified balance. Notwithstanding any provision of constitution

monies received pursuant to the provisions of this Section shall be restricted to expenditure for pre-kindergarten through twelfth grade instructional enhancement for students, including early childhood education programs focused on enhancing the preparation of at-risk children for school, remedial instruction, and assistance to children who fail to achieve the required scores on any tests passage of which arerequired pursuant to state law or rule for advancementto asucceeding grade or other educational programs approved by the legislature. Expenditures for maintenance or renovation of buildings, capital improvements, and increases in employee salaries areprohibited. Section 4. Within two weeks of the effective date of this Act, the State BoardofElementary and Secondary Education and the BoardofRegents shall each coordinate with the Department of Treasury to certify amounts maintained in the Louisiana Quality Education Support Fund held to the agency’scredit within the fund. The state treasurer is hereby authorized and directed to transfer to the Overcollections Fund an amount equal to the certified balances of each agency.Monies held in the Overcollections Fund for each agency shall be appropriated and used in accordance with the following:

(A) Higher Education. Monies attributable to the certified balance of the BoardofRegents

The enhancement of the quality of academic, research, or agricultural departments or units within acommunity college, college, or university.These funds shall not be used for athletic purposes or programs.

(4) The recruitment of superior graduate students.

(B)Elementary and Secondary Education.Monies attributable to the

funds?

(Effective January 1, 2027) (Amends Article VII, Section 10.8(A)(1), (2), and (4), (B), and (C)(1); Adds Article VII, Section 10.17; Repeals Article VII, Sections 10(F)(4)(d),10.1, 10.8(A)(3) and (C)(3), and 10.16(A)(9))

Proposed Amendment No. 4 Regular Session, 2025

ACT No. 221

HOUSE BILL NO.366 BY REPRESENTATIVE DESHOTEL

AJOINT RESOLUTION

Proposing to amend Article VII, Sections 10.15(F)(1) and 18(A) and (B) and to add Article 3VII, Sections 20.1, 20.2, and 21(P) of the Constitution of Louisiana, relative to ad valorem taxes; to authorize certain payments to certain parishes; to provide for the classification of certain property; to authorize the exemption of certain property under certain circumstances; toprovide for effectiveness; to provide for submission of the proposed amendment to the electors; and to provide for related matters.

Section 1. Be it resolved by the LegislatureofLouisiana, two-thirds of the members elected to each house concurring, that thereshall be submitted to the electors of the state of Louisiana, for their approval or rejection in the manner provided by law,a proposal to amend Article VII, Sections 10.15(F)(1) and 18(A) and (B) and to add Article VII, Sections 20.1, 20.2, and 21(P) of the Constitution of Louisiana, to read as follows: §10.15. Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund Section 10.15. Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund. (A) The Revenue Stabilization Trust Fund is hereby established in the state treasury as aspecial trust fund, hereinafter referred to as the “fund”. ** * (F)(1) Except as otherwise provided in this constitution and in Subparagraphs (2)

East Feliciana 4-H youth excel at 2026 Houston Livestock Show & Rodeo

Community news report

East Feliciana Parish 4-H members competed at the 2026 Houston Livestock Show and Rodeo, one of the nation’s premier livestock exhibitions.

Three families represented East Feliciana this year, bringing home an impressive list of awards across multiple breeds.

Josie Sibille competed with her Angus heifer, FCF WHM Phyllis 507, “Miss Davis”, earning a sixth-place finish in her class.

Brothers Ethan and William Barnes also delivered exceptional results in the Angus and Hereford divisions:

n Ethan Barnes was named Reserve Division Champion with his Angus bull Jack, bred by R & R Cattle.

n William Barnes earned second place in his class with Ryder, a Hereford bull owned by Ethan Barnes and bred by CMR.

n William Barnes earned Division Champion honors with his Angus bull, Zeus, bred by Hardtimes Land & Cattle and R & R Cattle

The Adams family, Bailee and Brice, showcased three Mini Zebu entries and returned home with multiple top awards:

n Bailee Adams won Reserve Grand Champion with Lainey, Mini Zebu heifer

n Third in class with their Mini Zebu heifer, Madea.

n Brice Adams won Reserve Grand Champion with Danny, Mini Zebu Senior Bull.

“These youth have dedicated countless hours to caring for their animals, practicing showmanship, and preparing for competition,” said Kayla Banta, East Feliciana Parish 4 H agent “Their success on such a large stage is a testament to their hard work, responsibility and commitment to the livestock program.”

For more information about East Feliciana Parish 4-H livestock programs, contact the LSU AgCenter East Feliciana Parish 4-H Extension Office.