Former Speaker visits Union Parish

Former Speaker of the Louisiana House of Representatives, Clay Shexnayder, visited Union Parish this past Monday at the request of local voters who are seeking information on a Home Rule Charter form of government. The gathering was hosted by Lynn Ramsey and Judy Auger. There wasn’t an empty seat, with attendance exceeding expectations.
Discussions revolved around the need for lower taxes, economic development, more public official accountability, fiscal responsibility and a return to the era of civility between public servants and those whom they serve.
Former Speaker Shexnayder shared the experiences of his home parish, Ascension, on its journey from a police jury form of government to a Parish Council Home Rule Consolidated Parish Government. Shexnayder said the process could be a three- or four-year process but the first steps are to educate the public on the benefits of converting.
The benefits of converting include: making public officials more accountable to the public; elimination of duplicate governmental functions and corresponding expenses; a parish wide elected President to discharge the executive authority; the election of parish council members to serve the legislative function and establish policy and procedure; lowering the cost of government though gained efficiencies; more qualified management of government; elimination of wasteful spending; and, more transparency in government. 26 of Louisiana’s 64 parishes have already converted from Police Jury to Parish Council governments.
Shexnayder is a proponent of converting to a Consolidated Parish Government having witnessed the benefits flowing from his home parish of Ascension, following its conversion.
Shexnayder, a Republican, served as a member of the Louisiana House of Representatives from 2012-2024 and as speaker of the House from 2020 to 2024, demonstrating his ability to work on a bipartisan basis with all political affiliations. He considered a run for governor in 2023 but chose instead to run for Secretary of State where he made a very respectable showing but was edged out of the runoff in Louisiana’s “jungle primary”.
Shexnayder is a frequent visitor to Union Parish and has answered every call for assistance from citizens here seeking guidance. Louisiana is likely to see more from him in the future. He is candid, articulate and straight forward.