Latest news with #MikeBayham
Yahoo
6 days ago
- Politics
- Yahoo
Will Louisiana Republican Party withhold endorsement in Bill Cassidy's Senate race election?
A member of Louisiana's Republican Party governing board is proposing a resolution to prohibit the central committee from endorsing a candidate in the state's 2026 Senate closed GOP primary, where incumbent Republican Bill Cassidy is seeking reelection. State Rep. Mike Bayham of Chalmette said his resolution isn't targeting any particular candidate, though Bayham conceded he can't remember the party ever withholding an endorsement for any incumbent Republican in Congress. Bayham said the state's first closed primary elections in more than a decade negates the need to endorse a candidate as the party has done in previous open primary elections in which Republicans and Democrats are all on the ballot. "This is one of the arguments the party has made for years for the closed primaries; let's back it up," said Bayham, a longtime elected member of the central committee, in an interview with USA Today Network. "Why hold closed primaries if we're not going to let the voters decide? "An open primary is completely different because we may need to coalesce behind a Republican to make sure we have a candidate in the runoff." Cassidy traditionally would have a clear glide path to reelection among Louisiana's deepening Republican electorate, but his 2021 vote to convict President Trump following the Jan. 6 insurrection has emboldened other Republicans to challenge the state's senior U.S. senator. State Treasurer John Fleming, state Sen. Blake Miguez, Public Service Commissioner Eric Skrmetta and political outsider Sammy Wyatt all have announced campaigns to unseat Cassidy in the GOP primary on April 18, 2026. Two other Republicans, Congresswoman Julia Letlow and state Rep. Julie Emerson, also are thought to be considering the race. Bayham hopes his resolution will get a vote at the Republican State Central Committee's Aug. 23 general membership meeting, but he said it must first be advanced by the board's Rules Committee on Thursday. USA Today Network is seeking comment from Republican Party Chairman Derek Babcock. Bayham was one of the state central committee members who orchestrated a vote to censure Cassidy in 2021 after the senator's vote to convict Trump in the president's second impeachment trial. Bayham said he doesn't believe Cassidy has been able to win back the support of many MAGA Republicans, despite the senator's consistent backing of Trump during the president's second term. "(Cassidy) will face a tough road," Bayham said. "If you polled the committee I think the results would be overwhelming against Bill." More: Who's in, who's out, who's considering Louisiana 2026 Senate race with Trump shadow looming Greg Hilburn covers state politics for the USA TODAY Network of Louisiana. Follow him on Twitter @GregHilburn1. This article originally appeared on Shreveport Times: Will Louisiana Republicans endorse in Senate primary with Bill Cassidy?
Yahoo
23-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Louisiana hair braiding licensing prompts three-hour committee debate
BATON ROUGE, La. (KTAL/KMSS) – The Louisiana House of Representatives took on hair, hairstyling, braiding, hair locs, and 'alternative hair design' on Tuesday. Who knew Louisiana lawmakers were so interested in hairstyling and, more specifically, hair braiders, but throughout several hours of testimony, two very similar bills were brought before the House Commerce Committee. House Bill 370, authored by Representative Mike Bayham, and House Bill 509, authored by Representative Pat Moore, both aim to reduce the barrier to entry for braiding licensing. Bayham's bill establishes specific permit requirements for natural hair braiding services, clarifies the services that a natural hair braider may not provide, defines the term 'natural hair braiding,' and outlines the requirements for obtaining a special permit. Louisiana lawmakers spar over attorney penalties in proposed insurance bill Hair braiding is a predominantly African-American hairstyle preference, although it is also prevalent in many other cultures. Braiding hair among Black women is learned at a very early age and is practiced to perfection on family and friends. Watching the hearing, it was clear that many of the members do not understand hair braiding. Other representatives expressed exhaustion as the issue has come before the committee in some form or another for the better part of a decade. Others wanted the hair braiders to have the same level of accountability as others in the hair and beauty industry. Consumer protections through licensing and continued education to ensure that, as techniques and understanding of hair evolve, so do those who style and care for it. They also wanted to ensure that braiders were not operating outside of that service. Representative Bayham stated that after meeting with the braiders to discuss their processes and products, they use combs and their hands. Committee member Representative Candace Newell argued that the bill does not provide sufficient consumer safeguards or regulations, such as continuing education, or protections for braiders who may choose to offer services beyond those specified in the bill. Currently, braiders are required to attend school for 500 hours of classroom instruction and pass a state licensing examination for the braiding certification. The special license would require classwork specific to preparation, execution, and scalp care for braiders. The Louisiana Cosmetology Board would have jurisdiction over the permit, including the authority to revoke it for braiders not in compliance, according to the board's attorney. She also explained that the popularity of braiding has led the state board to receive more requests for schools to provide 'alternative hair styling' coursework. After a two-hour debate, the issue at the heart of the discussion was that the registration for the special license does not require renewal, creating an 'unfunded mandate,' as explained by Representative Edmond Jordan. Ariel Glover, an attorney working with the Institute of Justice, listed the varied licensing requirements in the state of Louisiana, including tattoo artistry, real estate, bus driver, and other occupations that are easier to become licensed in than braiding. She also explained that the cost of schooling to become a braider ranging from $10,000 to $25,000, creating what she called 'Louisiana's underground braiding trade'. Hair is big business in Louisiana and beyond. Hair schools, beauty colleges, the state's cosmetology board, and those who provide hair services all benefit from the industry. Ultimately, both bills were recommended favorably and will proceed to the House floor for debate after the lawmakers agreed to work together on an amended version before bringing it to the House floor for debate. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
