Fellows Blog: Collaboration at the Capitol
By: Elai Levinson
My journey with Louisiana Progress began during my freshman year at LSU. I had always been interested in politics, and had hoped to find work in the field at some point during my college years, but I never expected to have found meaningful political work so soon. I’m thankful it has been with this organization.
I came to LSU from out of state, without knowing anyone in Louisiana, and the culture shock was a difficult adjustment at first. I struggled to make friends and often felt homesick, but I looked forward to classes. I thought that if I kept myself occupied with class and/or work, I could distract myself from some of those feelings. My favorite class was an American Government class taught by Dr. Melissa Flournoy. The subject material was interesting and Dr. Flournoy’s lectures added to the experience. I introduced myself to her a few weeks into the fall semester, and I stayed after class to discuss politics, history, and current events with her enough times that she knew my name. Eventually, I was comfortable asking her about any politics-based work, and she recommended that I apply for Louisiana Progress’s College Fellows program.
I followed her advice, applied, and was accepted into the program. The first fellows session I was a part of started in January of 2023. We had Zoom meetings twice a week; once on Mondays to discuss the week’s agenda, and then again on Fridays to recap our work over the past five days. I was joined by another new fellow, which helped me feel better about being overwhelmed, and alleviated the pressure I felt about possibly falling behind. I grew increasingly more comfortable and confident, and felt prepared going into the legislative session.
Our policy agenda at Progress included many bills, including one that would require law enforcement agencies in Louisiana to collect and publish traffic stop data. The goal of that legislation would be to gain transparency into whether those law enforcement agencies were engaging in racial profiling, disproportionately pulling people over minor offenses, or engaging in other unnecessarily aggressive behavior during those stops. My main task was to research this policy by examining its implementation in other states and determining the best ways to advocate for the bill in Louisiana, especially in the state legislature. I mostly relied on a law from Virginia’s 2020 legislative session in order to get a better understanding of the language for the bill, and to understand the response from the police and the public.
One of the best things about being a part of this team is the collaboration. For this police data bill, we found that similar legislation had been passed in 2001, but there was an exception clause that effectively nullified the intended effect of the law. Our goal became clear: Find a representative to sponsor a bill that removed this clause from the statute.
State Rep. Denise Marcelle agreed to carry the legislation, and it was filed as House Bill 89 for the 2023 legislative session. In my research, I learned how to effectively advocate for the bill, including writing an article for our ‘Progress Blog,’ which was published once HB89 had passed the House and was awaiting final passage in the Senate. The bill has since passed both chambers and was signed into law by Governor Edwards on June 8th, 2023. Despite having an otherwise difficult session, with much of our agenda being opposed, seeing HB89 get through was a huge accomplishment and very satisfying, and working on the bill at the state Capitol was a great learning experience.
I found out how difficult the legislative process can be on my first day at the Capitol. In the House Ways and Means committee, just a few days into the 2023 legislative session, one of our bills was killed, and I noticed that members of the Progress team were upset and disappointed, but not surprised. This worried me, because I started doubting if getting anything done on our agenda would be possible. But through frequent visits to the Capitol, I regained some of that lost hope. While we did not get everything we wanted, we got some great legislation passed. I also became acquainted with many other advocates, activists, and lobbyists who keep returning to Baton Rouge each year, facing an uphill battle, with the goal of getting bills passed that will create positive change in Louisiana. I continue to be inspired by the perseverance of our allies, and even with the ‘doom and gloom’ vibe that clouded the state legislature this past session, I always looked forward to my days at the Capitol.
Despite my difficulties adjusting to a new environment, and frequent feelings of loneliness and isolation, I found purpose at Progress, and I knew that I made the right choice coming to Louisiana. I don’t expect the coming years to be any less difficult or draining, but I can take solace in knowing that no one will ever stop me from enjoying the bus ride on Highland Road, the walk along 4th Street, and the stroll through the Gardens when I make my way to the Capitol.